Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-04-01

mac brore ~ in 'hrae wounded n q.
ictirs CT possibly avoidlb'e q,
between a searching psrty and ce.tli.
fisher people whose huts and sheds hla
been too Suddenly visited in the der
ness that precedes the dawn. Shot
had been exchanged. due. II was
claimed 20 the confusion and excite
ment; but the tall. lank. woe-begone
civilian who guided the party and got
three serious wounds as his share of
the casualties. swore ne had been
singled out for vengeance because he
had been the means OF breaking up
more than one well-planned escape OF
confederate prisoners. II was jennings.
and Jennings before breathing his last
wished 10 see Capt. Chiffon. who swal-
lowed his repugnance and went: for.
In common with most OF his people he
believed the stricken man two-faced
spy and the seller Of Information
which he probably was. yet hoped to
play his game TO the last and induce
Chiffon now to believe It was the dead
and defenseless Lounsberry that threw
the cavalry on Ladue that night. below
Matthias.
1t was southern lead however. that
ended Jennings's career. and he. az
least, had he lived. could never have
set foot again on Virginia soil.
These things they told Fred Benton
that soft April evening on the way
up TO Chsrlottes1 lille. as the sun was
sinking behind the rageed mountains
and the Rivanna bank full. came rush
ing and foaming down from the
beautiful Blue Ridge. They led him
from the wreck OF a railway. through
powered streets. 10 the gate OF an old
Virginia homestead. where ieafy trees
chung thick and protecting about the
columned porticO and the widespread
ing caves. There these two war-trained
young cavaliers. still wearing their
uniforms of gray left him for brief
hour. and went their way to answer
many a question. doubtless. from the
lips of loved ones. not SO entirely alb
sorbed in their own bliss as TO feel
no interest in the possibilities OF an
other affair Every girl in Charlottes-
VILE had at least one lover I'm the war.
Some had many more than one. Some
alas. had lost the only one Was IL
like that Queen Resale should care
for none? Queen Resale she was again
in the hearts OF many OF her old CO.
terie. but imperious. wilful. domineer-
ting no loneer-changed TO one and all.
as ali could see.
The trees and shrubbery were ringing
with a riot OF melody as Benton softly
closed the gate behind him and stood
a moment. waiting Cor his heart to
cease The violence of it's throbbing.
Blue birds. wrens and orioles were
piping in final frolic before the close OF
day. The hedge rows and the lofty
boughs alike seemed thrilling with life
and ecstasy and song. Only the old
white mansion was still The broad
doorway TO the lower hall stood invit-
irgly open. An easy chair. cushioned.
stood close beside Il. and other chairs.
with footstool or hassock. an old gray
travelling shawl and book or two
Were scattered about. a venerable
horse. wheezy and sedate was cropping
the grass and switching az gnats under
the blossoming fruit trees on the south
wand side. The locusts dropped over
the old fence along the cross street.
where that feathered. drab felt hat
hfst caught Bentons weary eyes. But
on this lovely. breathiess evening no
human form appeared. no human voice
was heard in concert with the vesper
hymn of the myriad songsters of the
air Purposely had Benton given no
hint OF his coming Indeed. To whom
should he send word? Why should he
send to any one? Why. indeed. should
he have come at all?
Three years before. this very month.
he had escaped in the darkness of mid
night from these surroundings. and II
was Rosalie who pointed the way. Two
years before. this very month. she had
driven him forth from her presence. or
turned from him in fury OF disdain
with insult on her lips. with wrath and
contempt in her flashing eyes. Surely
encouragement he had none. vet. the
moment military duty would permit
here again he stood. the knight. the
champion. the lover she had spurned
and never again even by faintest sign
had summoned.
lie wished her not 10 know OF his
coming. Men who deeply love and
deeply long for answering symptom
throw TO the winds their every chance
In coming heralded. for the fondest wo-
man. given time and warning. is a
consummate dissembler. The warmest
heart will coat itself with ice impene-
trable. No, he meant TO ta6e her by
surprise as completely as Gordon's fell
lows had amazed the men OF the Eighth
corps that dark dawn under the shad-
ows OF old Massanutten. and only TO
Winston at Richmond had he spoken
of the possibility of his stopping over
day at Charlottesville. Half a
dozen girls. however. knew OF the
presence of the invader before Rosalia
Chiffon. but none learned II in Just
such way.
A few minutes Benton stood there in
silent Reconnaissance. He might have
seized the Ci--tcsSicaed brass Anocker
at the door m : -ous at some ody IN
answer 10 the summons. bat that would
have spoiled the surprise. He be-
thought him of that old arbor in the
garden. and wondered If he could pass
the VIII ioNs anc th itclen without
attracting -c.cc. Ten. licking about
him, and drawing closer TO the shelter