Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-07-20
CHAPTER Xv.-CoNrINuED.


raised in their midst. What with bad
news from Schenck and Milroy, falling
back on Fremont after a thrashing at
the Bull Pasture, a deep disappoint-
ment over McClellan's being held an
entire month in front of Yorktown and
a feeling that we were getting rather
the worst of the grapple on the penin-
sula, the atmosphere about the war
department was gloomy enough the
day the young officer arrived.
In the ante-room, with officers, or
derlies and messengers grouped about
or coming and going, sat the long,
lanky and phenomenally solemn Vir-
sinian he had first seen that night at
the stone house on the Warrenton
pike. Jennings knew the newcomer
at a glance and. springing up, shook
him e~ffusively by the hand. A mo-
ment later an officer appeared at an
other door and beckoned Benton to
enter. What do you know about that
man." was the very first question pro-
pounded the instant the door closed be-
hind him.
Nothing" said Benton, Except that
he was at the stone house, in trouble
with some Of our brigade the first time
l saw him-seemed to be well known
to Dr.. Chiffon and other Virginians,
and later was with the Sixth Wiscon-
sin the afternoon they captured Maj.
Lounsberry."
"But-how about papers-informa-
tion-concerning II forces that he re-
ceived that night? You were captured
while graphing with the cavalry Of
fcer who brought them"
III" cried Benton. Good h~eavens!"
And then stood dumb, for all on a
sudden it flashed over him. Resale!
Resale. who had so inexplicably
donned Ladue's uniform, ventured
down through the darkness to the
pike, seeking some one at the stone
house. Resale, who had refused to
tell what influence prompted that ap-
parently reckless escapade! Papers?
Information concerning our move
ments? Why, what sense was there in
her taking all that risk when at that
very moment u pickets were falling
back before Stuart's triumphant adj
vance-when all but a few of the
guard had already disappeared from
the Henry place-when by midnight
or at the latest at dawn she was almost
sure to be again in touch with her own
friends and kindred? All this and
more flashed through his mind as he
stood there in the dark little Office,
with his interrogation impatiently fac
ing him, and two other officials look
ing up at him from a paper-littered
table, much impressed, evidently, by
the significance of his silence and en-
barrassment.
YES" sharply repeated the first
speaker, papers and, doubtless, valu-
able information. You saw them pass
to Jennings, as he calls himself, die
you not?"
II saw nething of the kind" an.
swered Benton, inexpressibly relieved
that as yet, at least, he had had no oc-
casion to speak of her. Indeed he
went on, eagerly, 81 was too busy try.
ing to get out of the scrape to think Of
Jennings at all. l made a jump fol
my horse and was in a hand-to-hant
fight in two seconds. | lever knew
what become of jennings"
you remember Sergt. Miller, do you
not?"
Il remember a sergeant-an indiana
sergeant, and a very keen one who was
there, but I feared he and his party
we're killed OF captured"
Some of them were" said the ex,
amining officer, grimly, "but Millel
diyed into the bushes, made his wa,
through the darkness and escaped. H,
declares he saw the young rebel Officer
toss the packet to Jennings and heart
him cry, For Gen. Armisted-to-nigh
-sure!' And now here is Jennings
begging to be allowed to see Two pris
oners-Maj. Lounsberry and the yount
Virginian, Pelham. who vas wounded
protecting him the day you were res
cued. He brings a note from the pres
ident. Look here!" and taking a scra]
Of paper from his desk the staff office
held it forth for Benton's inspection
1t was brief and to the point:
THE bearer, Mr.. Jennings, has beef
Of service and asks to see two friends
prisoners-Maj. L%ounsberry and Troop
er Pelham. ! shall be glad if oppor
tunity can be given him.
"(Signed) A. LINCOLN"
Benton read and looked up inquir
ingly. Il, too, should like to see then
-L~ounsberry, at least" said he, witt
eyes that kindled and lips that set
but not rs a prisoner. have a scor
to settle with that gentleman. Whel
does Mr.. Jennings go?"
Cant say. The secretary said n
emphatically-not until matters wer
explained. 1t was thought you Nigh
settle it one way or another befor
we questioned him" And the Office
was manifestly disappointed, and still
he persisted. "You heard nothin
about him?-Dr. Chiffon never spok
of him while you were at C~harlottes
yille9'
Il cannot recall his ever doing So
except casually. But Judge Armisteat
not the general, was there at Gaines
vile. My belief is that Gen. Armistea
was not lear Manassas when ! wa
taken. Miller must have misunder
stood"
WELL" said the officer, finally, "I'r
sorry we had to trouble you, but tn
secretary thought you would kno'
more Of this suspected stranger. Ger
Mcdowell trusted him, we fear, to
much, and as you are to see the presi
dent we thought you might open hi
49, 4 n - -1r-L