Kitty's Conquest

ers, but it was only just before we reached our destination that I heard her telling Miss Summers of the even

't mean it! What wi

r Vinton?" s

Amory is one of his lieutenants. Father knows them both very w

hen she heard that. I couldn't see, but knew it wh

that uncle and you receive Yankee o

for him, none of us could have remained here. He is a thorough gentleman, and you'd like him if you only knew him as we do. As

over the whole affair, when we drove up to the main entrance of their once beautiful home. A tall, soldierly-looking man opened the door, exchanged a

giment; and when, in 1865, his services were no longer needed, sheathed his sabre; put aside his well-worn regimentals; tried hard to interest himself in some civil pursuit; took a brief tour abroad, returned just as the new organization of the regular army was being made, and meeting one night a joyous bevy of his old comrades, regular and volunteer, with whom he had fought over every field from Bull Run to Five Forks, the old

ch I think you ought to know at once." So once

darkened and his face set when I came to Amory's wound and Hank Smith's

my orderly to bring th

moment the horses came, bade us good night, swung into saddle, and followed by his orderly, disappeared at a rapid trot. The judge and I stood listening on the portico until the hoof-beats died away, and then returned to the

Major Vint

sent his excuses to you, but he was obliged

s Summers's face, but she merely answered, "Indeed, I'm

little magpie,-in fact, was as charming and bewitching as possible; but it was alread

oom to another, played and sang. No news came from the camp. Late in the afternoon, when we were all standing on the portico, a solitary trooper came cantering up the road along which the major had disappeared the night before. Without knowing why, I found my eyes turning upon Miss Summers. She was listening abstractedly to Miss Kit's account of a visit to the Mammoth Cave, but her eyes were

the vicinity, and had noticed the troubled look on the judge's face every time his name was mentioned. I knew that he had been arrested, and that there was strong presumptive evidence as to his guilt; but he had been immediately bailed out and released. After this occurrence, the judge had managed to persuade him to take a trip to Havana and New Orleans; but the moment he heard of Miss Kitty's projected visit he came hurrying back. They were second cousins, and had met abroad. Rumor had it that Peyton had offered himself; that Miss Kit had a girlish fancy for him; that his suit promised favorably until Aunt Mary became suddenly aware of this nice little family arrangement,

naughty a wolf as could be found infesting Southern sheepfolds; and here he was, primed and ready to renew the attack. The judge didn't like it; Miss Summers didn't; nor Harrod; nor I; but it only took a few hours to convince us all that our beauty had just enough feminine mischief

ing out through the open casement to where we sat. Miss Summers closed her piano abruptly; came out to our n

two as she gazed out towards the gate; then a t

en here to-

at is, nobody

ajor,

o major, if you refer to Major Vinton." A little heightened color, per

ink he has gone after those me

rode off immediately. I shouldn't wonder, though; fo

iringly.) "How i

llege; probably he wouldn'

ill less unless he knew he was welcome.

ury of that mob on court-day, ought to be welcome among us!"-Color rising and a perceptible tremor of the hand on Harrod's shoulder. He tak

ed round him; a blow was struck; and then the mob charged. Shooting ensued, of course, and two of their own men were badly wounded, while father and his party of six barred themselves in the court-house. Old Jake Biggs dashed out to camp, luckily meeting Major Vinton on the way, and in five minutes from the time the first shot was fired, and before those howling devils could break down the door, Vinton darted at a gallop into their midst,-not a soul with him but his orderly,-rode up to the doo

as away in Mobile at the time, and knew nothing about the affair until next day, when my sister's telegram came; but the she

and whether as enemy or friend you cannot fail to respect him; and I'm glad to see a cordial

are the men who sat at home wondering why your Army of the Potomac didn't move. Your enemies are those who never felt

a lingering and inaudible good-night at the stairs. Harrod and I closed and bolted doors and windows. Peyton stuck his hands in his pockets and walked nervously up and down the hall buried in though

ne's own kinsman, but Peyton can't be trusted in this matter. Here is a letter that was left for father at the post-office in town, but I have opened and withheld it, kno

er a flaming scroll, on which appeared in bold relief the words "Blood! Death! Liberty!" The whole affair was ludicrous enough in appearance, and, throwing it to one side, I read the inclosure. It began with the usual "Death to Traitors," and wound up, after one or two incoherent "w

iles away, and on the outskirts of the county-seat where the court-house row had taken place; and Sandbrook was nearly as far in the opposite direction. He anticipated no danger f