The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-30
THE EVENING STORY
Enemies.

tie hung in menacing clouds.
With each lannon's roar Anne
quivered with dread.
"Oh!" she breathed painfully.
"Doan yo' worry, Miss Anne" COM
forted ancient Peter, who, with his
fat black wife were the only servants
that remained on the plantation, like
as not God am gwine to spare Massa
Noel fo' yo'.''
The girl turned on him with bitter
ly smiling lips. My father was
killed, Peter, and he was all 1 had in
the world"
"'Cept Massa Noel" put in Peter
gently. DE Kunnel, he was happy
dyin' fo' his country; seq he to me
at de las moment: Peter, Use leavin'
Miss Anne in yo' cyar till de war is
over. Den when she and Massa Noel
is married yo' can go free or make
yo' home wild dem, as yo' and Chloe
can agree"
Tears broke from the girls eyes.
you are taking the best care of me,
Peter. I know father would be proud
of you if he knew it and I'm sure
you and Chloe will want to stay
with-us?''
We'll, I reckon we got too much
sense to go among de Yankees"
sneered Peter. missy, Use gwine in
to help Chloe. Don't you stay and
listen to the banging and slamming
any longer"
Anne Sm1l6Q ana Uncle Hou9r pat
tered into the house. Once inside he
sought Aunt Chloe, who was popping
a chicken pie into the oven.
His face was drawn and anxious.
Il done saw Hennery spell ago."
he murmured.
Huh 2" calculated Aunt Chloe with
staring eyes.
Hes run away from Richmond
and he's hiding in de smokehouse.
Hennery says Marse Noel fell
Aunt Chloe's interrupting cry was
echoed by a fainter one from the
doorway. There stood Anne, white
faced and staring.
81 knew it, she said in a stunned
tone.
but he amt daid, honey cried
Uncle Peter.
why did Henry run away and
Anne sternly.
Henry's parents hung their heads
with shame.
II know!" Moderated Chloe nois-
lily. "Hennery's jes' a meachin', no
count niger. Use gwine to chase
him back to Richmond to fotch
Massa Noel home, dead Or erlive."
and she darted out of the door.
Anne put out a protesting hand.
Don't let Henry go until 1 see
him, Uncle Peter. I may want him
to guide me to the battlefield to-
night"
"Chile-wha' fo' yo' gwine ter
do?"
I'm going to find Noel Miles and
fetch him home" said Anne reso-
lutely, and then, as a shadow fell
across the white-scrubbed kitchen
floor, she asked in startled tone:
who is there?"
She followed Uncle Peter to the
kitchen porch and found a faded
toll, a
girl wrapped in a faded blue army
coat.
Anne De1forth's brown eyes hard
ened as she gazed on the hated blue
of the Federal army.
will you please tell me If am on
the road to Richmond" asked the
stranger pleasantly.
Yes" returned Anne. She swept
her hand toward the distant city:
ooh, I hope I am not too late" her
lips quivered.
Too late to see the Yankees pill
lage the city," sneered Anne.
"Ah, you are cruel,' the girl
flashed reproachful eyes at her. "All
of you southerners are cruel-hke
that. Do you believe we northern
to send our brothers and husbands
and sweethearts to death?"
Anne was ashamed.
II am sorry 1 said that" she adj
mitted, slowly. But I have seen my
mothers life shortened by this dread
full war; I have lost two brothers
and my father-and now
And now?" the other girl was
leaning down.
There was one left to me--and
have just heard that he has fallen"
ended Anne.
OH" sighed the other in a brok-
en- voice. 1T is hideous. Let me
tell you-the man II love is fight
ing there, and I have come from
New York 10 seek him have been
four weeks on the journey. 1 have
suffered hunger and thirst and Bit
ter insult for his sake-to reach
him before anything happens. I
have to ask his forgiveness before it
is too late. We quarreled and l must
tell him 1 am -but-can
any human being come out of that
alive Her hand shook she point |
ed and her voice was lost in an earth |
shaking roar from the battlefield.
Anne Delforth reached up and took the
slender brown hand in her own Come,
She said gently come and rest and eat
dinner with me. Tonight one of the ser |
wants will guide US to the battlefield. |
too, have errand there.
You are kind, will come gladly said |
the girl YEARLY, and she slipped from the |
saddle into Anne's arms.
Anne ministered to the northern girls 1
wants as she refreshed herself in the |
bare sunny bedchamber that was Anne's. |
Esther Lawrence told her story to |
Anne's eager ears and in exchange she |
listened to the heart-breakins history that |
Anne had to unfold.
And now, Noel Anne's voice chok- [
ed suddenly
Esther laid an eager little hand on |
Anne's arm. But the man-Henry-said |
that his master was still alive" she pro- |
land of course I have no means 4