The Elbert County tribune., 1909-05-27


wart. typical soldiers. The artist had
caught the spirit OF the encounter; his
genius had endowed 1t with life, &C
tion, atmosphere. The play Of the
muscles. the expression OF the faces,
the fire In the eyes of the combatants.
were wonderfully realistic. The pic
ture represented the exact moment
when the federal officer, gaining mo-
mentary advantage over his adver-
sary, was ending the fight by driving
his cleaning sword through the con-
federates body.
That painting" said Col. Brant.
coming up behind Challoner and look
ing over his shoulder, lis no favorite
Of mine. 1t memories an episode in
my career as an army officer that I
would give worlds to forget The art
list was an eyewitness OF the scene.
and his portrayal is spoken of as the
work OF master, but should have
destroyed the thing long ago If my sis
ter had not begged permission to keep
1t. My sister is Dorothy's Aunt Mary.
you know. She fully understands
that 1t is not to be displayed on the
wall when am in the house. but l
suppose this is case of forgetfulness
on her part
He paused. but Challoner did not
speak or move. In sorrowful voice,
the colonel continued:
"The picture is calculated to perpetu-
ate the memory of a most regrettable
affair. AS you probably know, one of
the nastiest skirmishes of the war
took place only five miles from this
spot. Poplarville was in panic. But
we managed to beat on the enemy,
and they were soon in full retreat,
with our boys In hot pursuit. At the
very beginning of the chase the horse
ridden by the young colonel Of rebel
regiment stumbled and fell. l hap
pened to be close behind this man
when the accident occurred, and be-
lieving him to be badly hurt, quickly
dismounted to render him such as
sistance as might. But apparently
he was not hurt at all. With yell
he sprang to his feet and rushed upon
me with drawn sword. OF course. 1
had to defend myself Three times
during the fierce fencing that ensued l
begged him to desist and avoid un-
necessary bloodshed Twice 1 was in
q hairs breadth of being killed by his
skillful onslaught; but in the end
was victorious, and he fell. 1 intend
ed only to disable him, but, unfortu-
nately, my blade passed clear through
his body. Six weeks he was in the
military hospital here before he
finally succumbed, and his body now
lies in the Poplarville cemetery. BY
the way" suddenly exclaimed the
colonel. his name was Challoner-
Col. Challoner-the same name as
yours. believe. My God, sir.
hope he was not a relative-a-a-"
The words died on his lips, for at
that moment the younger man turned
slowly around and faced him. Richard
Challoner was pale as death; his
breath came in quick. excited gasps:
his eyes shone with a fierce, vindic-
tive glare.
He was my father!" The words
fairly hissed through his clenched
teeth. II am Col Challoner's son.
And you were the man who killed him
-you-you! By God. sir, you shall
answer to me for that act!"
Col. Brant was struck dumb with
horror.
My reason for coming to Poplar
vile to begin my business career !"
continued the young man, hoarsely.
was because my father lay in your
cemetery here. / wanted to be near
him-to care for his grave. l never
dreamed"
He broke Off suddenly and seemed
to restrain himself by strong effort
Then. with a quick, nervous gesture.
he turned on his heel, and without
trusting himself to utter another
word, he strobe from the room. At
the foot OF the stairs he met Dorothy.
who was waiting for him The sight
OF his white face and blazing eyes
startled her
Richard! Richard" she cried.
He brushed past her without an an
swering sign. took his hat from the
rack. and an instant later the hall
door closed behind him.
The day which custom has set aside
for tie annual decoration of soldiers
graves dawned bright and beautiful,
Poplarville was in holiday attire. The
air was freighted with the perfume of
flowers, the buildings were gay with
bunting. flags floated at half-mast, and
the Poplarville band discoursed. pa.
triotic music in the public square
Col. Lewiston Brant mingled with the
veterans of his post, and not a few
remarked his grave demeanor and the
unusual sadness that seemed to have
settled down upon him. Apparently
he had aged ten years in as many
hours. Col. Brant delivered his Memo.
rial day oration with an eloquence
born OF deep feeling aud sincerity. He
moved all hearts by his simple. touch.