Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1905-03-24
The Iron
] Brig ade /
"a 4 STORY OF THE ARMY
OF THE POTOMAC
By GEN. CHARLES KING
Author of "Horm an Holt, 's.She colonel's
Daughter % Port Frayne," Etc.
CoDyEszhk 1904. By G. ". DILLINGHAM; c.
tContinued.l

RO-S,
Three confederate officers, endorsed
and captured, had been brought to
Sheridan's camp fire near the Rich
mond road. and in one of these Ben
ton instantly recognized young Win
ston, wearing now the braid of major
of cavalry. The recognition was mu-
tual, and Benton's well-filled flask was
brought into requisition at the instant.
Benton saw the Virginian was in deep
chagrin. A question as to Louns.
berry's whereabouts was all that was
needed, and Winston launched at once
into trade. There never was such
Internal luck, he said. For months
three men had been bounding that fell
low to get an accounting from him on
a matter that-that-well, Pelham's
sister had been engaged-at least be-
ieved herself engaged-to Lounsberry
ever since early in the war, yet in
January came the announcement of his
approaching marriage to widow of
wealth and social position in Charles
ton. He had tricked Maud most damn
ably, said Winston, and Lloyd Pelham,
the very young fellow who was so near
ly killed trying to save Lounsberry out
there near Gainesville, a captain now
and only 20, had been trying to get
fight out Of him, and SO had Jack Chill
ton, but Floyd had the best claim, and
now Lounsberry had actually been
nailed. He had come to Stuart with
dispatches and Pelham had slashed
him in the face with his gauntlet. A
meeting had been arranged for to-mor-
row morning. He, Winston, was Pei
hams second, and would almost give
his parole, were such thing possible
to an officer of Stuart's cavalry, to get
back to the confederate lines and bring
that fellow to book.
you owe him a grudge as well as
Maud Pelham's kinsmen." said he.
Sooner or later he's got to fight or
funk. l can't be there to second Pei
ham. and now there's no telling when
any of us can get at him."
'eWhy not Chiffon ?'' asked Fred.
"Chiltoni" and Winston flushed with
embarrassment "Chilton has just
been sent away on-other duty
with his wounded leader and kins-
man-to Richmond" hazarded Fred.
NO." was the hating reply. In
fact Winston could not say whittier he
had gone.
1t seemed long indeed before any
of those who owed Lounsberry
grudge were enabled to get at him"
But there came time, and not to those
that wore the gray, but to Benton, still
serving with Sheridan.
Grant had crossed the James and in
vested Petersburg, when to shake him
loose, if possible, by the old device of
soaring Washington, Early was sent
down the Shenandoah valley, with 49,
900 men and orders to stir up Mary
land Stir accordingly he did, until
the arrival of the Sixth corps from the
James and the approach of the Nine
teenth. Then Early harked back,
leaving just a few of his men cut off
by a sudden rush of union cavalry,
one of these young captain of his
own staff. an almost invaluable Off
GER. So, this warm August even
ing, as Benton came riding down
from scout among the beautiful
heights that border the valley on the
east, he stopped his horse at the public
trough and caught a glimpse of three
forms that had stopped short at sight
of the blue-jackets and, after mo-
way they came. One, an elderly clergy
man, gave his arm to gentlewoman,
| evidently bowed with care and sorrow.
| The third form was that of a girl, slen-
| der, graceful, and in her walk there
| was something vaguely familiar to
Bentons eyes, even before he noted
| that she wore drab felt hat, broad
| brimmed and feathered. Benton fol-
| lowed to the corner, and saw the girl
enter the gateway Of an unpretentious
| little home, while the other two walked
| slowly on. Quickly he crossed the
street, followed along hedge of rose
| bushes, turned sharply through the
gate, and face to face at the trelliSed
porch met the girl whom he had first
seen sauntering along that leafy side
street at Charlottesville in the spring
| of '62. Bearded, bronzed and stalwart
as he was to-day, she saw nothing to
remind her of the pallid prisoner of
| the Chiltons, and only indignation a.
| his intrusion blazed in her cheeks and
| eyes, but, in spite of gallant effort.
| she struck her colors at his very first
| word, when, with uplifted forage-cap
he bowed and calmly addressed her:
| Miss Pelham, I believe, whom
| had the pleasure of seeing at Char
| lottesyille. I hope your brother is not
| wounded-and here"
Then he repented him of his cruelty
when he saw her sway and stretch forth
her hand for the support of the rail-
| ing at the steps Pardon me-" he
| continued, his blue eyes fixed on he1
almost ashen face, but nothing less
could have brought you here, and, par
don me again, but must ENTER and
he moved as though to pass her By.
/ Instantly, almost in terror, she grasped
| his arm.
| mol Oh. mol" she cried. az give