Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1913-01-17

trude's face. then died out as suddenly
as 1t had come.
Madeline West murmured to Robert
Ellingham:
ut is only lately that have realized
there are northern soldiers and south
ern soldiers. thought there was but
one flag, and that you all served IN
der It"
THAT is what was brought up to
believe" replied the young lieutenant
but some unaccountable change has
come about"
but 1t seems to me-" fnterposed
Kerchival West, that the people OF
Charleston are taking an extraordinary
interest in the preparations to bonn
bard Fort Sumter They look forward
to such an event as If 1t were to be
gala day"
1t was ut this juncture that Mrs.
Haverill appeared. Before she had
time to join the group Thornton has,
tened forward to meet her and said In
a low. hurried tone:
81 must see you alone. l have I'M
portant news for you"
Are there-any further tid1ngs OF
Frank" she inquired eagerly.
Yes. We must not talk here'-as
they passed out together into the hall
and paused at the foot Of the stairs
Frank is here in Charleston"
The halls were decked and garland
ed, bali dresses were laid out in read1-
ness. and the young people were prac-
ticing minuets.
Toward twilight Kerchival West and
Robert Ellingham strolled across the
Battery park and along the old sea
wall together.
Bob. old comrade." the former be-
gan. 81 have something want to men
ton to you"
lis 1t about Thornton"
1T Is about Mrs. Haverill, the colo
nel's wife"
~ misunderstanding, old boy
tell me all you know about It,"
"Well. was passing along the gal
lery of the second floor on my way to
my room when | heard muff1ed
scream, then a lady's voice uttering
violent. or. rather, hysterical, exclama-
tons. The sounds came from one of
the principal guest rooms, as l sup
posed but whose didn't know. Then
the door was opened hastily, and Mrs.
Haverili appeared, looking alarmingly
Ill or else terribly frightened and trem-
bling with excitement"
And was any one with her"
Not that know OF. | did have an
impression Anyway, she recovered
herself quickly after | had saturated
my handkerchief with ammonia and
eau de cologne and anything else that
CHANGED to be at hand and given it to
her. 1t would be all right. she said,
and l was not to let such foolish lit
tie incident disturb me on any account
Still
"Still. the foolish little incident must
have bad serious cause behind 1t,
eh?"
$50 thought But it may have been
only mouse"
"Or it may have been Thornton. l
was right" exclaimed Ellingham, strik-
Ing the clinched fist Of one hand into
the palm OF the other.
Then. by heaven. Bob
ut mustn't get to the colonel. Leave
Thornton to me-
"a pretext is all that is necessary.
If you don't find it | will"
They shook hands in silence, then
hurried in to dress.
Robert and Kerchival were as eager
as any one for the dancing, yet they
could not enter into the spirit Of the
affair and engage their partners (as a
matter of fuct these latter, meaning
chiefly Madeline and Gertrude, did not
make an early appearance in the par
lors) until their anxiety about Mrs.
Haverill should be allayed. Would she
find an excuse to avoid the ordeal Of
gayety under the eyes Of at least two
persons who knew Of the shock she had
suffered but few hours previously2