The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1909-05-28

suppose this is a case OF forgetfulness
on her part"
He paused, but Challoner did not
speak or move. In a 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 a panic But
we managed to beat off 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 a rebel
regiment stumbled and fell. 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.
sfstance as might. But apparently
he was not hurt at all. With a yell
he sprang to his feet and rushed upon
me with drawn sword. OF course. I
had to defend myself. Three times
during the fierce fencing that ensued
begged him to desist and avoid IN
necessary bloodshed. Twice was in
a hairs breadth of being killed by his
skillful onslaught; but in the end I
was victorious, and he fell. l 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 al
yours, I believe. My God, sir. I
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. vindtc.
tive glare.
He was my father!" The words
fairly Kissed through his clenched
teeth. Il am Col. Challoner's son
Aid 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, hoarselv
was because my father lay in your
cemetery here. wanted to be near
him-to care for his grave. never
dreamed"
He broke OF suddenly and seemed
to restrain himself by a 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 evoa
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 the annual decoration of soldiers
graves dawned bright and beautif,;,
Poplarville was in holiday attire. The
air was freighted with the perfume IT
flowers. the buildings were CAV with
bunting, flags floated at half-mast. and
the Poplarville band discoursed na.
triotic music in the public souara
Col. Lewiston Brant mingled with tho
veterans of his post, and not a few
remarked his grave demeanor and tho
unusual sadness that seemed to have
settled down upon him. Apparent1v
he had aged ten years in as manv
hours. Col. Brant delivered his Memo.
rial day Grafton with an eloouenca
born of deep feeling and sincerity. Ha
moved all hearts by his simple. touch.
ing tribute to the heroes who had latd
down their lives in their country's de-
tense. and closed with this an
peal: =. -
.:But vhi1a "a ara, hnnor,r. .,,,.