Kitty's Conquest

a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for some

able. First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning. A dim light was burning on a little table in the hall, and I noticed Mr. Peyton's boots

ed at Peyton's door. It was closed, but the transom above it was open, and all was darkness within. No sound had come from his room before, and I supposed him asleep; and now, as if in corroboration of that supposition, he began to snore; rather a louder and more demonstrative snore than would have been natural from so sudden a start, I thought afterwards. Meantime, I stood still a minute and listened. The whistle died away, and there was no answer or repetition; the snoring continued; I moved on into my room; closed and bolted the door; put my lamp on the bureau; took out my revolver and carefull

some kind, and, if so, what did it portend? At last, being unable to arrive at any conclusion, I determined to lie down and think it over; and so, taking off coat and waist-coat, and putting on a loose wrapper, I threw myself upon the bed. It m

thing I knew I found myself sitting bolt upright; every nerve strained; and listening with beating heart to the same signal whistle; only this time, though low and cautious, it was nearer; and, unless I was vastly mistaken, came from a little clump of trees

er ten minutes longer in the most undecided manner imaginable. Harrod had plainly intimated that he suspected Mr. Peyton of complicity with the Ku-Klux or I would have awakened him; as it was, I was possessed with the idea that he ought to know nothing of our suspicions, nothing of the anonymous letter (from us, at least), and in no manner or way be admitted to confidence. Rather hard on Peyton, to be sure; but there was something about him I didn't like, something besides the mere fact that I saw he didn't like me, and--What was that! There could be no mista

ractical purposes in the dim light that came from my open doorway and the window at the end of the hall. It was clumsy and stupid of me. I looked towards Peyton's door, wondering if the noise, slight a

ts were no l

ghbor was up to some of his old devilment, and that that signal whistle had some connection with the mysterious disappearance of his boots. Peeping through the partly-opened door, I could see the bed, its coverlet undisturbed, its pil

the discovery of Peyton's absence and his probable connection with the mysterious signals without, had had a wonderful effect in restoring me to confidence and endowing me with a fabulous amount of pluck and courage. T

e a stealthy step on the garden-walk, and the figure of a man emerged from behind an old arbor near the oak-tree.

all-fours until he reached the top; and then, making very little noise, clambered into his window and disappeared from view. A moment or two after, I heard him softly deposit his boots

and monopolized her in the most lover-like manner. Immediately afterwards the pair sallied forth for a walk. Miss Summers looked

dn't imagine the possibility of his co

cavalry camp this morning, and this afternoon I'll have a talk with Ned. How so

enough," I answered; so he sent off

I naturally glanced up at my window and Peyton's. A coarse brown envelope was lying right at the door of the little tool-house, the very place where he had clambered to the roof the night before. "We lawyers are curious," an

lance to assure me that it was just such another envelope as the one which inclosed the Ku-Klux letter to the judge that Harrod had shown me, and that f

ain P

trick in trying to get that express money, and the boys all think he'd been drinking again. Three of us took him over the Big Bear in Scantwell's boat, and on up to Chickasaw. He sent me back from there to see you and tell you to watch out for every chance to get word to him. He'll be

respe

ack

that was said, it was out of the question. It was scandalous enough as it stood without letting the servants know of it. We talked a good deal about their general performances, but in no way alluded to the latest developments of the Klan as we drove

in reply to our questions, stated that the major had gone out with three days' rations and nearly all the men, hoping to hunt up and capture the gang. A United States marshal was with him, who felt certain that he could

stay behind; but he and the doctor both forbade my going, so here I am pl

d for his non-appearance the day before by saying that the doctor had insisted on his remaining quiet in his tent; and so neither Harrod nor I s

warned him to be on his guard. Mars took it coolly enough; expressed his readiness to welcome Hank and his adherents to hospitable graves; and, except that his teeth came as solidly together a

ormation about Hank Smith; where he was to be found, etc., but without mentioning Peyton's connection with the affair or stating how the news came into my possession

coming," had scattered in every direction. Smith thought himself safe across the Tennessee, and would probably have only one or two men with him. Amory was fairly excited this time anyhow, and in ten minutes had made up his mind; gave his orders to a non-commissioned officer, wrote a letter to Major Vinton, with instructions to deliver it immediately

arge of camp, and I amused myself listening to their talk about their officers and the Ku-Klux. An old darky on a mule came in to sell chickens,

y shifted around in his saddle, and, after profuse expector

says the

s off so qu

ve anything," s

gone to?"

't k

reckon; didn't take

't k

oad fur, if he wanted to catch the captain,

id you

eard so, t

turns his quid over with his tongue and looks all around. He's a bad hand

some business up towards the Tennessee. I belong to a missionary so

to me that there is more of the odor of bad whiskey than sanctity about the member of the

ke to catch the bo

't k

rvey of every object in range about the camp, turns his dejecte

nothin', did you?" To whi

d, I wouldn't te

prised at Amory's sudden expedition, and curious as to the source from which he derives his information. I hardly know what to say, bu

successful, and with six rough-looking specimens of "corn-crackers" footing it along between the horsemen. They found no trace of Smith, the ma

Judge Summers's, and expected to find

ght of Mr. Peyton lounging on the portico by the open window of the parlor, for once in his life paying little or

yton is out of the way. Old Jake detains him a moment about "dis yer Hicks'

ks dusty, tanned, and travel-stained, but more soldierly than ever in his dark-blue jacket and heavy boots. After Harrod's entrance he resumes his story,-he was telling of the capture of the Ku-Klux

in their search, knows just how the evidence was procured which led to the arrest of the six victims, and doubtless

circumstance which apparently renders him no uneasiness whatever. He talks constantly with Pauline, and never gives a glance at the pa

and, a moment after, the ring of spurred heels along the hall. A servant announces the major'

ught, it is A

was the loot'nant's orders, and he told me to ride right over with it, sir," says t

ing Vinton. Another minute and Vinton has risen to his feet; an eager, fla

ed at once, and you bring my other horse." Away goes the orderly, and then

ted after them, but with only five men, too few to cope with such desperadoes. He has four hours the start of me now,

e and Peyton and Kitty are missed,-gone out for a walk, the servant says. Then Harrod explains, and Vinton looks as though biting his own tongue off close to the roots would be the most congenial and exhilarating recreation that could be suggested. He is annoyed beyond expression, but it is too late now. Peyton is off; no one knows which way

on decides on his plan. He and Harrod are to gallop on after Amory; old Jake to ride down to meet the troopers, with orders to make all speed possible to the Tennessee. I am possessed with an immediate thirst for human gore, and want to go with the major; but

s up the steps as though anxious to avoid us, but Harrod intercepts and leads her to one side. She grows p

ejoins us. "Kitty says he took the overseer'

as though the devil chased you. Tell Sergeant Malone

nished ribs, and with a "Yoop, da!" our Ethiopian aide-de-camp clatters away. Then comes a hurried and anxious leave-taking with Pauline and the judge, and in another minute our

ried to entertain me during the long hours that dragged slowly away; but we started at every so

; so, cigar in mouth, I strolled out to the gate and gazed longingly up the dim, shadowy vista thro

rely ceased striking when my eager ears caught the sound of hoof-beats rapidly nearing us. Down went the

we had to fight half the county. The lieutenant's wounded, and so is Monahan, one of

return to the hall. She is pale as death and her whole fr

and one of his men are hurt, and th

he loved were safe, unhurt, and returning to her. Then the next minute she is all sympathy, all tendern

ing down her back and thrown from her temples and forehead, her eyes red with weeping. Pauline's heart is full, and the sight of t

I care for Ned Peyton, but I don't-I don't! And he was frightful to-day, and

I want to know what Peyton's threat was; an

man Lieutenant Amory had with him. He frightened me so tha

Mr. Amory here. He was wounded, and there has

is terrified at learning the part Peyton has played, and bitterly reproaches herself for the uneasiness her flirtation had caused us all. She is the most abject little penitent I ever saw, and her distress is something overpo

and from this our young soldier is tenderly lifted by two of his troop and carried to the room opposite mine in the wing. Poor

e. Luckily, Smith had but two of his gang with him. They hardly had time to think of resistance. Hank was found stretched out in bed and swearing cheerfully over the unexpected turn of affairs, but had sense enough to acknowledge that his Yankee adversary "had the drop on him," and surrendered at discretion. Securing him and his two chums, but

lly stopped short, swearing that "Ef you un's expects to git me to yer d-d camp this yer night you've got to do a heap of toting." Finding that he was really weak and sick, Amory was too soft-hearted to insist; and so a brief halt was ordered while one of the men went in search of a farm-wagon. Just at night-fall a horseman came canterin

after, there came the distant sound of a shrill, prolonged whistle

m so brief a rest so thoroughly invigorated. Once or twice more the sam

cautiously about and listening eagerly to every sound. All of a sudden from thick darkness came b

then, with a snort of terror, plunged down

off; while Hank and the other specimen adopted the tactics of throwing themselves flat on their faces. The soldiers were eager to pursue and capture some of the band; but the sergeant was wary and cautious; kept them on the defensive; secured his two remaining prisoners; and was just about ordering a search for their lieutenant, when the well-known and welcome voice of the major was heard down the road, and in a moment he and Harrod dashed up to the spot. Then came eager inquiries and the search for Amory; and presently a cry from one of the

his head on Vinton's lap, utterly unconscious of the latter's grief, of his almost womanly tenderness; but at last they were able to lift him into the improvised ambulance; and while the troopers, now reinforced by the small par

but little. Muttered words, half-broken sentences, incoherent all of them, were the only things we could win from him. He knew none of us; though he appeared to recognize Vinton's voice better than any.

hose fellows at West Point settle all difficulties with their fists, and this youngster was etern

his men. Harrod was tired out and had sought his room. I had agreed to sit by Amory's bedside until midnight, as they had expelled me from the sick-room and mad

-arms to suffer in. But how changed was Kitty now! Once or twice during the day she had stolen to the door or waylaid Pauline in the halls, always with a white, tear-stained, anxious face and a wis

s that had flown so copiously during the last thirty-six hours; and in her simple yet dainti

put her little white hand on

for a minute the corners of the pretty mouth twitch, and the soft-gray eyes fill, as though our little heroine were again on the

nsable among tender-hearted young ladies on such occasions. Not that I disapprove of it. Oh, no! Only one can hardly expect to

almost fatherly interest over the sleeping boy; and as Kitty seats herself quietly by the bedside, g

e hand busies itself about the bandage on Amory's forehead, and my occupation is gone. Leaving her t

was at his bedside. The old judge would come in with every hour or so. Vinton galloped over from camp and spent the afternoon; and as for myself, I was becoming vastly interested in helping Kitty, when, as bad luck w

t lightened up when the doctor reported our "sub" improving. We all thought he

to resume my functions as assistant nurse; but it was fully a month before my busin

along towards the station, "and for one, I shouldn't be surprised if a spice

between his teeth with great deliberation; smiled very quietly, not to say

and won't let me see the address; drops them in the postal-car himself, instead of sending them by the company mail; gets a dainty missive now and then, lady's handwriting, pretty monogram; and blushes, too, when I 'devil' him ab

s own affair's being the one to which I referred, and wanted to head me off. Oh, the perversity of human nature! That made me press t

nd just imagine how the judge and Harrod would feel at having to give her up. Besides, old fellow, you and I are cut out for confirmed old bachelors. Can't expect a young and

t. It was mean, but there was something exhilarating about it for all that. What

and sees my game; grins expressively, a

e young people to your satisfaction, so that you won't have to fall back on anything so u

anding on the rear platform watching the tall, stalwart, soldierly

d, our captured Ku-Klux had been turned over, together with a few more of their fraternity, recent acquisitions, one of whom, the marshal informed me, was badly wounded and in hospit

ttle hospital-tent, only a few steps from his own; and there, stretched out at full length

the time of my arrival. Stiggins had stoutly maintained that the Ku-Klux had shot him; that he was a law-abiding man, and that he hadn't seen a blue-c

ssession at the time of his arrest, I came across a letter written in a hand I knew well enough, appointing a meetin

ew in a clothing-store. But no information as to Peyton's whereabouts could be extracted from him or his unwounded confederates; nor could they be induced to give any clue whi

accommodation. He was surly and defiant, but accepted a piece of plug tobacco with much avidity, and was kind enough to say that "'Twould be a derned sigh

islature was in session. I had written to the judge and to Vinton. The former had been called South

"for whom he has a warm affection," had communicated this fact to her intractable patient, and his pale face had flushed up for an instant and he was at a loss what to say, but finally protested that it had nothing to do with his determination. That evening he asked to see her, and, in an embarrassed but earnest way, thanked her for nursing him so kindly and carefully. "I'll never forget how good you-you all were to me, Miss Carrington." And from that time until the ambulance came for him, two days after, whenever she chanced to come to the room he was very gentle, and in his whole manner se

the judge had gone to Mobile during his trip, and that his troublesome kinsman was to be shipped off to climes where Ku-Klux were unknown, and where his propensities for