The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-01-26


imminent peril and. If he had not
been mistaken. just as surely he had
been tricked-tricked in all probability
by that defiant and yet most attractive
Virginia girl Virginian he believed
her to be. partly because her accent
so resembled that of the very palpable
/ Virginian. the owner. and partly be-
cause that courteous and Well-man-
nered native, in answer to somewhat
imperious question, said The young
lady sub, is a daughter of old Doctor
| Chiffon. of Charlottesville"
To the very natural question that
followed, What was Miss Chiffon do
ing there?" the Virginian had an an
swer equally prompt and dinihed.
Her brother, a lieutenant in Stuart's
cavalry, had been accidently shot By
the pickets the dark night of March
4th, had been left with an attendant at
the Thornton place across Bull Run,
too badly wounded to be moved when
! johnson fell back from Manassas. had
bribed his friends 10 send him away
in a cart when he heard OF the union
advance. and cart and contents had
been run down by other troopers
Averelrs-before they reached Manas-
sas. The wounded boy. delirious with
fever. was even now lying in the room
his sister guarded. Or. Alexander, of
Gen. McDowelrs staff. had twice been
to see him. DR.. Chiffon had come,
bringing his devoted daughter, and
then gone on to Fairfax in hopes OF
obtaining from Gen. Mcclellan permits
sion to take his son home on parole
by slow stages. to arlottesville, and
Miss Chiffon meanwhile remained there
under what was left of a roof. and what
he, Mr. Henry. could offer by way Of
care and protection. Brief conference
with the guard without did much to
confirm Benton in his faith in the truth
of the statement. They assured him
that If anybody else was harbored or
hidden there he could not escape. for
they were ordered to prevent the oc-
cupants from leaving. as well as to pro-
tect the premises from harm.
At FIVE O'Clock, therefore, the young
aide-de-camp went his way. not fully
satisfied by any means. but content to
seek explanation az corps headquarters
and to investigate further on his re.
turn. In point of fact he was doubt
full as to his duties and prerogatives
in the matter and needed his generals
advice. He meant TO tell him just what
he feared or suspected-that Paul
Ladue himself. in some unaccOuntable
manner had become separated from his
regiment, possibly through illness OF
wounds, and was concealed within the
shattered walls OF the old Virginia
farmhouse. But, just at the time whom
he most needed the instructions of his
own division chief, he was destined to
be cut of from hlm--and for many
day.
II was after shutdown, and long after
when at last, riding some miles at
swift trot, he overlook the corps COM
mander with his stan On the road
beyond Centreville. "Ah." said that
sCldierly leader, "the general is prompt
What time did he start?"
start, sir?" said Benton. his heart
beating quick and hard again. Il don't
know. | was instructed TO deliver this
letter and 10 ask to have these others
sent on TO Washington by your courier
tonight, but I thought to find you west
of Centreville, not on the march, sir"
Then ny orders had not arrived
when you left? Why. what hour did
you leave. sir?" and McDowell's face
Redeemed as it would when he was an
noyed.
About four o'clock, general. but"
-Four o'clock, sir, Then where on
earth have you been all this timer"
II came by way Of the Henry house
to look at the old battlefield, general
We had no idea oS your moving, and
there was plenty Of time before dark"
answered poor Fred, noting with much
concern the ominous silence of the
listening stan and orderlies.
You must have stayed an uncon-
scionable time there" grumbled the
| general, who had not yet ceased to feel
touchy at any mention of Bull Run the
First. C"LOnger than he did last July"
laughed OKane, of the MontgOmerys,
when told Of it, "Ah. remember.
That pretty daughter Of old Chiltons
is there. You saw her suppose?'
Il suppose | did, general was the
rueful answer, though she In no wise
sought to detaln me. Quite the con-
trary."
We'll, Mr.. Benton, your division Is
doubtless following us by this time
and should be across the Run. My
compliments to the general and say |
will have his letters forwarded. Now.
don't get lost in the woods on your
way back"
And thus summarily was the brief
interview ended, and the corps COM
mander with his staff rode on.
Now here was a plight for an aide
de-campl His tent and all his belong
ings were with those Of division head
quarters and would doubtless be taken
care of by the staff quartermaster. but
where was he to find his general-and
| how? Well he knew the division in
marching to follow or overtake the
others of the corps-and Kearneys
Jersey brigade was just striding by
him at the moment-would probably
| faka the chorfazf road from tho Gamma