The Washington times., 1911-06-08
CHAPTER TX (Continued)

oil dldl III NGuSCO AliC NSfNA =
ment battalion to be hurried
out on the Williamsburg road
There was a sharp skirmish east o.
town. The usual wild rumors flying
about accredited the battalion with be
ing in the fight and losing eight killed
AS young CuStis Jones, the eldest sol
Of the refugee family, was a private ir
the battalion, his mother, who was II
poor health, became prostrated IRON
anxiety. Mr.. Jones asked Della TO come
in and help comfort her, and the glr
stayed beside the sick woman most oi
the night. until morning brought new:
that the battalion had not been en-
gagged at all.
But after this Della often went over
TO see how Mrs. Jones was. In those
fervid July nights people sat out In the
open air until late.
On the night of ;he momentous Fourth
the refugee family were sitting on theiI
front porch, and Della was sitting with
them They said little, and often looked
up at the stars, Tor there was a vague
dread in all their hearts. Along the
dim hills heat-lightnirg flashed noise
lessly, as though great battles were
raging below the horizon. While they
were sitting thus in silence a neighbor
"a mere shadow in the gloom-came
along the sidewalk and asked If Mr.,
Jones was there. On hearing Mr.. Jones
reply, The neighbor told them there was
report on the streets downtown that a
great battle the grea test battle of the
war, had been fought last Friday in
Pennsylvania.
"Where?" they eagerly asked. starting
up and going to the gate.
AT a little town called Gettysburg
Word came up by flag gof-truce boat to
City Point only few minutes ago."
WAS it a victory?" all cried togeth-
er. Was it a viCtory?"
"Oh. il was our victory" the man
said, plainly our victory, for even the
Yankee papers admit we took and held
the town
Yes, yes!" everybody exclaimed.
That shows It was our victory
of course the Yankee newspapers
claim it. too?"
They always do" sneered Mr.. Jones.
But they acknowledge the loss of five
or six generals, and among them Meade,
who had just been put in command of
their demoralized forces in place of
Hooker"
BAH said Mr.. Jones That sounds
like most of their victories"
Il wonder If he has got word yet?''
remarked the neighbor. pointing as he
spoke to the Presidents mansion, where
only faint light glimmered at an upper
window.
1T will be grard news for him." muir
INJURED Mrs. Jones. He has been quite
poorly of late, scarcely able to leave his
bed"
"Hark!" cried Della suddenly.
Through the hot, MINDLESS air of the
night, duly at first. but increasing in
sharpness at every stride, rang the
man burst around the corner and swept
past the house, striking sparks from
the stones. He drew up before the
Presidents house, threw himself from
the saddle. and disappeared inside.
"A dispatch-rider, some one ex-
claimed.
For a little while all were silent,
watching the event. Only Mrs. Jones re-
marked under her breath: Hes hear
ing the grand news now"
deny blazed.
All" they murmured. He has been
awakened ami toli of tie victory"
Their voices bad uncousciously sunk
TO whispers. The we're fascinated by
that Frightened window. as persons
watching a great Grama hang with
breathless interest upon the most trivial
details of it. A shadow fitted past the
window-a high profile familiar 20 them.
After a moment ii fitted past again.
They knew then thai, ~ spitc of lis
illness, President Davis had arisen and
flung on his clothes, and was pacing 10
and fro across hls chamber. Again aud
again the shadow appeared, AMI :hey
watched 1t long time.
Hes so elated,' Mrs. Jones' Slghel,
that he cannot lie still"
1T must be after o'clock" Della
said at last Il must so home and tell
the good news to my uncle"
Bidding them good night, she started
up the brick sidewalk. The shade trees
along the gutter were heavily foIiaged,
the nearest gas lamp was quite a dis
tance off, and dense shadow nung over
the path. Still, she did not fear to go
alone, for her unCles gate was out d
ROD or so away, and the Jonses were
within easy call.
She had put her hand on the latch of
Mr.. Naughan's gate when, unexpected
ly, she caught a glimpse Of a man urder
the magnolia tree directly in front of il,
at the gutter. He was so near, and his
coming within her vision was 50 abrupt,
that she gave a startled gasp and stood
stock still.
heard her. for she was wearing n pair
of light slippers. and heT footsteps were
almost inaudible. His back was towafd
her, and he was Just discernible, lean
ing against the tree and gazing ZIP 1t
the lighted window Of the Presidents
house She would not have saen him
at ali had not the black outl ne of his
head and shoulders "on.e between her
and the distant Illuminated blind.
Della paused, with her hand on the
gate, to take a second look. There
was something familiar about the
mans head; he was wearing a military
cap. Then he turned his face a
out clear against the glimmer. She
gave a low laugh of sheer Joy.
"Why. it's Mr.. Potts" said she
aloud.
He turned upon her with a quick.
"Ah! Miss Coombs" he answered.
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