Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-01-28

Square and gifted orator from Chica-
go was being presented to the throng
Up here near the bluffs overlooking
the great inland sea, all was still.
Elinor Benton looked warily within
as they reached the gate in front of
the quaint colonial house that had been
her home since babyhood. Voices, in
low-tc1ed chat, floated out TO her from
the broad veranda, and with hardly
a shadow of hesitation the girl turned
and followed when her partner said,
Let us go back to the bluff little
while" When they reached the edge
Of the bluff Ladue turned to her and
his voice trembled as he asked,
You heard Fred's question:"
An almost inaudible YES" was the
; sole response.
"What-do you think fought to
do?" he wistfully. slowly asked. For
a moment she could not reply. When
the words came-for she was only six
teen, and the position most trying-her
clear young voice had pathetic, trem-
ulous undertone.
How can judge? Almost any one
would say your duty was here-yet-
as she spoke the heart in her own pure
young bosom was throbbing hard. Fol
another little while there was silence.
broken only by the sound of distant
cheering from the center of the town
by the rhythmical, soothing plash of
the wavelets on the pebbly beach be-
meath them. Then Elinor, uplifting
her face, looked upon the clear-cut
features of the slender youth at her
side and saw that the dark eyes were
filled with sadness and trouble. She
impulsively bent forward, and with
slender, tapering fingers touched his
shoulder as though to turn him toward
her, while with almost sob in her
voice she murmured-
What is it, Paul? Tell mel"
! And then the lad, throwing himself
on his face, seized in both his the
trembling little hand. MY heart is not
there!" he sobbed. ''You know we'll
where it is, but-my duty" Alright
ed now. she sought to draw away her
hand, but he chung to it. mo, Nell.
MOI" he cried. Its the first time
ever dared! It's the last time 1 ever
may! Pm going, Nell; I've got to go,
but remember, my heart isn't there
/ It's here-it's here with you,"
And then on a sudden he sprang to
his feet, for voices, close at hand, broke
me silence. Some one was climbing
the pathway up the height An in
slant of listening and Elinor, too,
sprang to her feet
IF you know he's going to Join the
rebel army and can prove it, why,
that's enough" painted the first speak
er. THE trouble is to prove it. Other
| wise there's no law to hold him"
prove it! BY heaven, Curtis, you
make me swear!" was the vehement
answer. eff our postmaster would only
do his duty we could prove far more
that he's In the rebel service at thi!
minute-that he's here a spy in oul
understanding notes of all our prep
arations and forces and numbers. and
just as Andre was hung on the Hudson
30 years ago, so should that youn;
} scoundrel hang here now. The law
of war the world over will tell yol
So"
And then scrambling to the crest
full in the light of the uncloudet
moon, the two climbers straightene
up and stood face to face with the mai
of whom they were speaking, Elmo
Benton clinging, trembling, in speech
less indignation at his side.
For moment there was. awkwar
silence. Paul Ladue, with gleamin
eyes stood squarely confronting I'll
foremost. portly man OF 30 years
who YVES still breathing hard as tn
. result OF his climb. His companion
tall and spare and a few years oldei
. slowly ranged himself alongside hi