Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-06-08
VII.
A woMAN's DARING.

With Infinite sympathy Benton and
the orderlies aided DR.. Chiffon to har-
ness his horses to the old fashioned,
s~ide-seated, half bus, half ambulance
he had brought with him from Warren.
ton-borrowed from some field hos
pital, as the best available vehicle in
which TO go for and convey his
wounded boy. The doctor was tremu-
lous with dread and distress on accoun
of his beloved daughter, and utterly
unable to account for her strange dis
appearance.
He drove away, with all speed toward
stone bridge, pass and papers in his
outer pocket, SO as to be able t.
promptly show his credentials to any
sentries or patrols, and Benton was
trying, half an hour later, to satisfac-
torily account for what he had heard
and thought he had seen that day,
when Carver came for him to a his
horse vas dead lame. He had been
directed to remain behind and to see
the last ~detachments across the Run,
then to rejOin the chief as o 0 as he
had found Benton. This, therefore,
was Benton's chance and he begged.
Let me go back" said he, and you
take your orderly's horse, if you can't
get another, and report to the general
in the morning"
And SO, about ten o'clock Fred had
reached the stone bridge, found it
held by a small guard, and with that
guard was a young officer who had been
at the Robinson and Henry houses two
hours before and had heard all about
the circumstances connected with Miss
Chilton's disappearance-had indeed
been there for some time and had seen
her. She had come to the rear door
with Mr.. Henry about five o'clock, and
very sweetly and smilingly had told
the guards her brother was sleeping at
last and that she needed a little fresh
air. Lieut.. Ferguson was in command
of the guard, And you know what an
eye for a pretty girl Ferguson has,"
and he begged her to consider the pre-
misses hers, and probably wanted to
walk with her, but for 20 minutes she
tripped about the old, dismantled
garden, going all around it as though
interested in what vas left of the
h%ollyhocks and %sunflowers, and, about
six, Lewis came and called her and
said supper was ready, and she seemed
reluctant to go in, but finally yielded,
telling Ferguson that if there were no
objections she would finish her walk
later. 1t might be dark and chilly, but
h knew the garden now and would
throw a shawl over her head. Ferguson
said, by all MEANS" and sure enough,
right after dark, out she came again,
slim and fragile looking, but we'll
wrapped up, and Henry begged her not
to stay out long. We saw her fitting
about in the dim light Of the camp
fire and lanterns a moment or two,
then she seemed to take to the outer
edge of the enclosure, and then, by
Jove, she disappeared totally. They
hunted everywhere, and while they
were hunting Capt. Carver rode up
with orders for Ferguson and was told
what had happened. He was COM
PEELED to leave at once, but the search
continued. ut is a perfect mystery"
said the lieutenant. removing his cap
and wiping his brow.
Then while they were talking, the
sentries challenged at the bridge, and,
to the amaze of Benton. who should
appear but old DR.. Chiffon with his
country omnibus and the strange ex-
PLANTATION that he had lost the road
got way south toward the lower fords
and had been turned back by no less a
parsonage than Gen. Anger, whom he
had met at Washington several years
before when the general was a cap
tain of regulars. Benton's guarantee
to the guard was sufficient, and they
let the doctor go on his westward way
and Benton went with him, that he
might give the anxious father these
further particulars as they trotted
along the dim, shadowy vista of the
famous old thoroughfare. Benton had
determined now to revisit the Henry
house and make a still further investi-
cation.
But he never reached it. Pushing
westward along the pike they noted
that all was darkness about the old
Robinson place on the rise to the south,
and then were surprised I, see lights
fitting about the stone house, close to
the road on the right hand side. Then
voices in excited tones were heard
within. Two or three were harsh and
threatening, one was uplifted in min
gled plea and protest, and then, from
the direction of the Sudley road, only
a few yards away, came shadowy
forms, just visible under the starlight.
Halt" vas the instant order from
Benton's lips, low, yet commanding,
and his revolver seemed to leap from
the holster. "Who are you?"
"Patrol-Nineteenth Indiana" was
the prompt answer. SIS that you.
Lieut.. Benton? Three of u fellows
strayed away, and the captain ordered
me down here to look 'em up. They've
called in the guard at the Henry house
where you were this afternoon"
Your men are herein this house,
and you're just in time, | fancy" for
now there were sounds Of scuffle and
violence. Benton was off his horse in
a second and, followed by the SER
geant and two or three men, hurled
himself at the door, which gave way
before his impetuous rush, and in an
other moment he had sprung through
one dismantled room into another at
the ear Of the house, and there came
upon a sight that explained the whole
situation--a demijohn-the mate to the
one he had seen at Centreyille--stood
on a rude SidebOard, with only one