The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-02-02
Gut despite the almost aeonlzed Ap-

Gut despite the almost agOnized ap-
zeal, despite the assurance that Ben
ton, though in the garb of the enemy
WIS yet a friend. the Virginian could
not reply. wait, doctor-wait till
you see Judge Armi'aead. He'll tell
you the 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, can't be-
lieve IT,"
And then the Hoosier sergeant again
came to the door
SHARP firing, lieutenant. south OF
u.s. Shall | follow Mai. May or turn
after the guard toward the Lewis
placer"
Leaving the two Virginians Benton
stepped outside. The moon was Just
peeping above the trees toward the
distant heights &C Centrevllle 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-
INK parties OF the Western brigade and
a fairly brisk fusliade was the result
Fer a 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 a quarter
Of a mile"
He felt that Il was now unsafe to re-
turn to the Henry house. The guard
was gone The chances were that with
in a few minutes Stuart's troopers
would be coming up the Sudley ROAD
from the south. lie would say a word
of farewell to DR.. Chiffon. then follow
his men. Leaving the horses with Tbs
orderly in front. he once more turlrd.
and as he entered the rear room. Sion
ping a most excited conversation, lse
was amazed TO see the back door
which had been shut and barred three
minutes before, swiftly closing behind
a slender figure in the trim froclS VI
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 a painting corporal
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 a seconds time. Il seemed. he
had hurled himself on a dim. fragile
form and clasping IL in his arms,
strained It. despite furious struggles,
to his breast Paul PAUL" he cried
Don't you know me?-F'red? Sur
render. you blessed boy reb, surrender,
Heavens. man, don't soratchlp for two
furious little hands we're tearing at
his cheeks. Speak. you sinner.
Haven't known since FIVE O'Clock
twas you saw az the Window"
But so far from speaking. only pant
ing incoherencies escaped the lips OF
his captive. Strainlng. squirting. the
slender form writhed and palpitated
in his clasp. a heart was throbbiRg
like mad against his, and while he stlll
chung with one arm 10 his prize. be
seized and captured with the other
hand a long. sllm-hng .red. sharp-nailod
little member that wfs bent, apparent
iy. 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 ont
into the night The yellow CLEAN fol-
fun on a beautiful, dark, flushing face.
framed in masses of dtsky hair tumb-
ling about the sloping shoulders and
down the slender back-for the nstty
SLOUGH hat had been lost somewhere
In the scuhle-tell upon glowing. In
dignant. magnificent eyes. upon fash
ing white teeth. upon lovely. ruddy.
parted lips. and in amaze, yet still
clinging 10 mis- lovely captive. Bento0
stammered:
Not Paul. but. whoever you are
my prisoreri"
Not Paul-nor your prisoner"
was the sudden. exultant answer. In
a voice that ever since early evening
had been ringing in his ears. Not
Your prisoner. You're oursi DO you
hear?" And out Of the silence OF the
night there burst the thunder OF gal
Looping hOOfs, close upon them, sweep
ing like a tornado over The open delds
to the northwest. and then there came
whirling into view and surging all
about them a swarm OF shouting. iubi-
liant cavaliers -Stuart's VirgInians in
ali IN cir early glory.