The evening world., 1912-10-31

'"o suHifuOus 10 uittne ser
vice. A strange mirage OF brightness
and peace and calm hung over the
seven-hined city. shut within a nerv
circle Of war. like benediction before q
battle.
AZ 81. Paul's Episcopal Church the
usual large and aristocratic conRress.
ton listened attentively to the earnest
discourse Of the Rev. DR.. Ninniserode.
Jefferson Davis. the Chief Executive OF
the Southern Confedsracy. occupied MS
pew In the middle Of the central aisle.
nearly opposite the now vacant one
belonging to Gen. Robert e. Lee.
An orderly In uniform entered the
church. somewhat precipitatsiy yet
without disturbance. and delivered 0
telegram to Mr.. Davis. who quietly rose
and went out. The occurrence was
noticed. but attracted no special atten.
tion among . conversation who during
four ycars past had crown accust omed
70 sudden aiarsns and untimsly notice
OF thrsatsnsd attacks. Il was the d.,
altar the battle Of Five Forks.
The despatch was from Gen. Lee, an
nouncing his withdrawal from Peters
burg and the consequent necessity for
the immediate evacuation OF Richmond
Immediate evacuation" meant getting
out by Q o'clock that night. The news
spread a. only such nSws can. Women
prayed. men wept and cursed and de-
ned: children wondered. NEGROES rather
enjoyed the excitement. especially afte :
the Issue Of . proclamation to the ef-
feet that all who wished might come
to the commissary department and &c,
free provisions.
As for tho soldiers, they had their e.
ders from Gen. Leo Troops were to leave
their lines everywhere at 9 O'Clock that
evening and take up the line Of march
for Amelia Court House. . small Wiz
ginia village on tbs Richmond and pAa-
wide Railroad. some forty miles south
west of Richmond.
Early In the afternoon Col Robert IL
bingham hastily d&smountsd from his
horse In front Of . house IN Franklin
street and sprang UP the 1ront steps.
Before he reached the door Il nOW op0n,
and Gertrude. freshly dressed N white
lawn. extended both hands IN eager wsl.
come. Beside her. IN baaok Civilian
clothes. stood what looked like the ghost
Of KsrchlvAl West. IN tho background
appeared another familiar phantom OF
the far past--none other than Dr. DliinG-
ham Of Charleston. now whies-hairs1
and more Agsd iookina than the lapse Of
years alone should have called Tor.
''sisterl Ksrchival. old boy! Under
painted bob. full Of excitement. Were
you prepared for the news! What Do
you think you'n dor
''Kerchivaa end ! are going 20 be maS-
ried right away" answered Gertrude.
with the astounding impsrturbabiiity Of
one who had arranged and settled even
thing.
"Marrisdr' esSpsd Bon. tnssinst,v.,v
clutchinG the air. a. II for support
"EOw-at such = timer Don't you know
that Z am under marching orders, ana
that Trasident Davis and the Cabinet are
70 lssve for DAnvius BY the evening
traan-and that the Federal army win be
oeoupyinx Richmond by this time to-
morrow"
Yes. Robert. We were In church this
morning when the news came. Kerchl-
val aud I have figured II AL out, and
tho doctor agrees with us-thAt, as Rich
mond has faaasn. and KerchivM has
been released from L6bby on parole, and
Uncle 10 here from Charleston. the only
way for W two 70 guard against separa-
ton again 10 to get married now. so that
can be wtth-with my husband. what
ever happens SO we have sent for the
Rev. DIR. Minnigerode. and. now tnat
you are here. the ceremony can be per-
formed and you can be on to join Gea
Lee In half an hours time-for | sup
pose he win need you now more than
ever"
Yes. So that IL the plan. eh? Ia that
the way you see Il. kerchival7'
Unless you have soms objections,
Bob" answered kerchival. with his wan
smile. ut really Seems the best thing 10
do. I am only out on parole, ana no
one can tell what 10 about to happen"
You ere riGht-@blcas you both, my
childreni II only Madeline were
here"--
II promise 70 do - much as this for
you. Bob. when your time comes--and
may that be soon and sudden too"
Cro Be Continusd)
The Coming |
nH A. AZ