The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-02-16

| been led to-hope." How near he there
came to saying believed"
Locking qsite we'll, my dear ma
| jor" hastily interposed the decor
yet. l assure you, but the ghost CT
the fine young fellow who rescued me
/ that night at Centerville 1t will be
months before he can handle a sabre
again."
How about a pen?" asked Louns-
berry, significantly. his eyes burning
into Benton's gaze as though striving
to read his innermOst thoughts.
"Mr. Benton has certainly managed
to write three home letters-left-
handed. answered Dr. Chiffon, speak
ing for his captive guest, yet slancing
nervously toward him. They were
duly forwarded to Richmond to no
censored. Was It there you saw them,
Mai. LOunsberry?"
Il had reference to possibilities, doc
tor, though I am not acquainted with
the lieutenants left handwriting. Il
would be injudicious, for instance, not
TO say ungrateful to those who have
shielded him, were he to answer the
|
the garden, Monday EVENING""
The hot blood leaped to Benton's
face. .Lounsberry had spoken with
the cool elaboration of one absolutely
sure of his ground. The doctor turned
and stood gazing at his guest as though
expecting him promptly TO deny the
imputatiOn. From the stairway came
the sound Of faint rustic as though
Rosalie shrank still further away, and
Benton felt, rather than saw that Der
eyes were fixed upon him in mingled
scrutiny and indignation. The silence
was painful and Benton broke Il.
There was nothing new in the
note, doctor" said be, purposely ig-
noring the staff officer. 1T was to tell
me-what | already suspected and.
since this gentleman's arrival. have
Richmond. DO not let it worry you
have been preparing for IL, and now
am quite ready TO 60"
For the life of him as the sentence
closed he could not avoid shooting one
swift glance at the stairway to note
the effect of his words. The major
saw, turned and finding that from
where he stood the landing and stair
way were hidden from view, stepped
quickly forward. Benton instantly did
the same, and almost breast to breast
they met there in the middle of the
room-the blue and the gray-the fire
flashing in the eyes of each. There
was the sound Of whisking drapery.
soft swish along stair and balcony rail.
and In an instant Resale had darted
to the landing and out of sight. A
half smile. contemptuous and cutting,
played about the confederate's lips
He gave no sign whatever that he had
heard. He addressed himself to Ben
ton:
Il presume you have burned that
note, sir, and therefore have nothing
with which to back your statement,
butt take you at your word You are
ready to go. you say; be ready TO start
then at six in the morning"
My dear major" broke In DR. Chill
ton. Surely you"
Those are my orders, doctor
have no yolition.' answered LOuns-
berry, coldly. "And now If may say
adieu TO Jack I'll leave you TO such
preparation as may be necessary. The
guard will call for Mr.. Benton at six
I go myself to Gordonsville tonight
With that Mai. Lounsberry turned
haughtily away. as though the possi-
bility Of further talk with a federal
prisoner was something intolerable
The doctor, stunned and silent. looked
helplessly from one to the other and
again it was Benton who spoke a re-
assuring word Cordially he held forth
his one free hand
ITS all right, doctor" said he. You
and Miss Chiffon have pulled me round
famously. | can stand Libby diet now
just as well as anybody. and I'm bet
ting on speedy exchanges. Then-our
fellows will be doing something now"
he added. with significant smile.
''Who knows but they may gather in
game as big as that!" with laughing
nod toward the respondent major.
"Or. is he. like so many of our staff,
only for duty at the rear?" And Ben
ton meant that Lounsberry should
uNalf anu near iAH Aln anu AAHMNA AtA
under the taunt
do not judge our methods by the
little you know Of yours, Mr. Benton"
he retorted. albeit with admirable
self-control. Then. as though again
determined to ignore the northerner,
may | be permitted a word with
Lieut. Chiffon doctor?" a question
which seemed TO recall the doctor to
himself and left Benton TO his own
devices. Without another glance az
the unwelcome visitor, the latter turned
and assembled the stairs TO the second
story, and there, in the dim light of
a night lamp, by the eastward window.
stood the girl he longed to see and
speak with, and she who had avoided.
now came half timidly forward as
though 10 meet him.
From the neigbborhcod Of her aunt's
door and her own. and close to the
westward windows Rosalie Chiffon ST.
lently led her captive soldier, and then
turned, her face pale and sorrow
stricken, her great dark eyes filling
with unshed tears.
IL have a confession to make, Mr.
Benton" said she, at length. do you
FuB 30 II 80, 49,