Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1905-10-25
But despite the almost agonizea az

But despite the almost agonized AZ
peal, despite the assurance that Her-
ton, though In the garb of the e7.eny
was yet a friend, the Virginian could
not reply. wait, doctor-wait till
you see Judge Armistead. He'll tell
you tie hull story. He's coming over
from Hopewell this evening"
Judge Armistead-here? And she
went with him, do you mean-and left
my boy? Why. Jennings, cart be-
lieve it."
And then the Hoosier sergeant again
came to the door,
Sharp firing, lieutenant, south OF
us! Shall follow Maj. May or turn
after the guard toward the Lewis
place."
Leaving the two Virginians Benton
stepped outside. The moon was just
peeping above the trees toward the
distant heights of Centreville and near
by objects were become more readily
visible in the faint and mystic light.
Somewhere to the south-toward the
Junction-Stuart's venturesome troop
ers had come in view of slowly retir-
ing parties of the Western brigade and
a fairly brisk fusliade was the result.
For moment the officer listened to
the spiteful crackle Of carbine and rifle,
then answered the question. Better
follow the major-and lively, too. I'll
catch you before you've gone quarter
of mile
He felt that it was now unsafe to re-
turn to the Henry house. The guard
was gone. The chances were that with
in few minutes Stuart's troopers
would be coming up the Sudley ROAD
of farewell to DR.. Chiffon, then follow
his men. Leaving the horses with the
orderly in front, he once more turned,
and as he entered the rear room, stop
ping a most excited conversation, he
was amazed to see the back door
which had been shut and barred three
| minutes before, swiftly closing behind
slender figure in the trim frock Of
| gray-the uniform of the confederate
| service. He saw the same form flash
| by the northward window, and instead
| of pursuing, whirled about, sprang
| through the front door and round to the
westward side of the house just miss
| ing collision with painting corpora.
| who cried, "Reb officer ran down this
way from the Henry house. Me and
Kinks followed" All in an instant
then his suspicious were confirmed.
All in seconds time, it seemed, he
had hurled himself on a dim, fragile
form and, clasping it in his arms,
strained it, despite furious struggles,
to his breast. "Paul-Paul!" he cried.
Don't you know me?-Fred? Sur
render, you blessed boy reb, surrender.
Heavens, man, don't scratch" for two
furious little hands were tearing at
| his cheeks. Speak, you sinner.
Haven't 1 known since five o'clock
twas you l saw at the Window"
But so far from speaking, only pant
ing incoherencies escaped the lips OF
his captive. Straining, squirming, the
slender form writhed and palpitated
in his clasp, heart was throbbing
like mad against his, and while he still
chung with one arm to his prize, he
seized and captured with the other
hand long, Slim fingered, sharp-nailed
little member that was bent, apparent
| ly, on tearing out his eyes, and then
swaying and staggering, Benton bore
his prize into the moonlit space beyond
just as the doctor and the Virginian
lantern-bearing, came stumbling out
into the night. The yellow CLEAN fell
full on beautiful, dark, flushing face
framed in masses of dusky hair tumb-
ling about the sloping shoulders and
down the slender back-for the natty
SLOUGH hat had been lost somewhere
in the scuffle-fell upon glowing, in.
dignant, magnificent eyes, upon fash
ing white teeth, upon lovely, ruddy
parted lips, and in amaze, yet still
clinging to his lovely captive, Bentor
| stammered:
mot Paul, but, whoever you are
my prisoner
mot Paul-nor your prisoner
was the sudden, exultant answer, il
a voice that ever since early evening
had been ringing in his ears. mo
your prisoner. You're ours! Do 70,
hear?" And out of the silence of this
night there burst the thunder of gal
Looping hoofs, close upon them, sweep
ing like a tornado over. the open field:
to the northwest, and then there came
whirling into view and surging al
about them a swarm of shouting, jubi
liant cayaliers-Stuart's Virginians il
all their early glory.
CHAPTER VIII