Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-02-18

Benton felt. rather than saw that her
eyes were fixed upon him in mingled
scrutiny and Indignation. The silence
was painful and Benton broke it.
There was nothing new in the
note, DOCTOR" said he. purposely ig-
noring the staff officer at was to tell
me-what l already suspected and.
since this gentleman's arrival. have
felt sure of-that was to be sent to
Richmond. DO not let il worry you.
l have been preparing for it, and now
l am quite ready to CO.
For the life of him IS the sentence
closed he could not avoid shooting one
swift glance at the stairway to note
the effect Of his words The major
saw, turned and finding that from
where he stood the landing and stair
way were hidden from view, stepped
quickly forward. Benton instantly did
the same, and almost breast to breast
they met there in the middle of the
room-the blue and the gray-the fire
flashing in the eyes of each. There
was the sound of whisl ing drapery. a
soft swish along stair and balcony rail
and in an instant Rosalie had darted
to the landing and ont of sight. A
half smile, contemptuous and cutting.
played about the confedarate's lips.
He gave no sign whatever that he had
heard. He addressed himself TO Beg
ton:
i presume you have burned that
note, sir, ami therefore have nothing
with which to back your statement
but L tale you at your word. You are
ready to so. you sly; be ready to start
then at six in the morn.ng."
My dear major" bro e in Or. Chill
ton. Surely YOU
Those are my orders, doctor.
have no volition." answered Louns-
berry, coldly. And now if J may say
adieu to Jack III leave you TO such
preparation as may be necessary. The
guard will call for MIR. Benton at six.
L go myself to Gordonsville tonight"
With that Maj, Lounsberry turned
haughtily away. as though the posi-
bility of further talk with a federal
prisoner was something intolera BILE.
The doctor. stunned and silent. looked
helplessly from one to the other. and
again it was Benton who spoke a re-
assuring word. Cordially he held forth
his one free hand
IT'S all right. doctor" said he. ''You
and Miss Chiffon have led me round
famously. | can stand Libby diet now
just as well as anybody, and I'm bet
ting on speedy exchanges. Then-our
fellows will be doing something now"
he added. with significant smile
Who knows but they may gather in
game as big as that" with a laughing
nod toward the resplendent major.
"Or, is he, like so many of our staff,
only for duty at the rear?" And Ben
ton meant that Lounsberry should
hear, and hear he did and flushed red
under the taunt
DO not judge our methods by the
little you know of yours, Mr.. Benton :"
! he retorted, albeit with admirable
self-control. Then. as though again
determined 70 ignore the northerner.
may | be permitted a word with
Lieut.. Chiffon, doctor?" a question
which seemed to recall the doctor to
himself and left Benton TO his own
devices Without another glance at
the unwelcome visitor. the latter turned
and assembled the stairs to the second
story, and there, in the dim light of
night lamp, by the eastward window,
stood the girl he lonced to see and
speak with, and she who had avoided
now came half timidly forward as
though to meet him
From the neighborhCod of her aunt's
door and her own, and close to the
westward windows Rosalie Chiffon ST.
lently led her captive soldier, and then
turned, her face pale and sorrow
stricken, her great dark eyes filling
with unshed tears.
Il have a confession to make. Mr..
Benton" said she. at length do you
think-it's easy for girl to say-she's
glad to find that she was wrong?''
Something has seemed to me very
wrong Of late" answered Benton, $50
much so l was glad to get away on
any terms, even to Libby. For what
have / been punished?"
Il shall tell you-frankly," she an
swered, standing with downcast eyes
before him, her white hands loosely
clasping. do you know, | thought
heard-that you were plotting with
people outside to escape, and, father
wins ASoDOil19lBlc AOi YOU, II SCpmCu
unSrateful-indeed dishonorable-''
But what on earth have | said or
done to warrant the belief? | have
talked with no one. communicated
with no one, except that, after / had
noted your cold and distant manner,
there came this little unsigned note,
saying that | was to be sent to Rich
mond. / have never answered it.
haven't an idea who sent it."
But the note" and now she
looked up eagerly, you have it-stiil?"
Burned it to ashes the hour it
camel" he answered.
But you saw who brought it-or
who left it?''
Il saw" he impulsively began, then
stopped short What right had he, a
union soldier, to give information
against some possible union lover in
their midst, one who was seeking to
be of service to him at that?
"Oh, you needn't say!" cried Miss
Chiffon, with curl of her lip. I'VE
know-at least | knoW-the eirli VVhat