Kitty's Conquest

lonel Summers on "Billy's" horse loped off into the northern darkness. I had sent a dispatch to Amory, care of Department Headquarters in New Orleans. "Billy" had ho

e battered old cavalry sabre beneath it; and was beginning to ask myself how I could best employ the day until ev

said "Billy." "I

rm, the carriage had whirled up there

ht gone by

onel, you're not going to t

the silent inmate of the carriage. "But it's

and on time, too, if yo

o on to the Junction." Then with lowered voice, "Anything is bette

hought best not to intrude. Now I stepped forward as he opened t

the door, and tenderly handed out his sister. She came instantly to me with dry eyes, and firm, lo

eard anythi

ok my

re all night waiting for us. How

answered, bluntly, and was rewarded b

ittle time to get ready. Mr. Brandon, can you mak

am half inclined to believe, contracte

g his arm around her, stood whispering cheeringly to her. Then I turned to Kitty, who was very quie

ise to see you

d let Paulie go on so sad a journey without me

oking men in the South show to the gentler sex on all occasions I ever witnessed, the train-hands had busied themselves in making a comfortable corner for the ladies. Rude and poor were the appliances, but Walter Raleigh never laid down his priceless cloak for foot of royal mistress with truer grace than did those rough ex-soldiers spread t

st are the

g are the

eagerly questioning the offic

by going to G

tral, and 'taint no use trying. Even if the road weren't blocked,

ins coming south,

ind,-nothin' except a special, going through a-whoopi

troops, do you mean?"

uldn't ride with them even if they'd let you. They telegraphed ahead here for coff

broke in Harrod, impatien

kon they'll be along very soon,"

, Brandon? Sh

; and I think i

eager darkies, to see the sight. The engine whizzed past the platform; then two passenger-cars, from every window of which protruded blue-capped, dust-begrimed soldier heads; sentries stood at the doors

he asked, bounding

rty addressed, as though desirous o

too. We've no time to waste. Tumble out here, Sergeant

he steaming caldrons, I asked if I could see the com

r; rear car. C

r filled, as were the other two, with the rank and file. At the rear

e business-like youngster, and in an i

ton, of the cavalry, lies dangerously ill in New Orleans. He is engaged to the sister of my friend, Colonel Summers. No tra

fficer was staggered by my impe

utation, though it has not been my good fortune to meet him. We-we must f

ssed him in few rapid words. The whistle blew,-my heart stood

p the train. Don't s

ack in the quick, sharp

o authority,"-and my heart again sank. Like Mr. Perker of blessed memory, I was about to interpose

ust from your eyes if you want to s

"Gentlemen,"-he turned to us,-"you see how forlorn are our surroundings, but yo

s, shoving them through windows, anywhere, anyhow; and half bewildered, all grateful, all surpr

w Orleans some time in the early morning." The "damyankees" were going to get

ad and swung into the rails of the Mobile and Ohio. It was the "longer way round,"-that through Mobile,-but some late experiences had proved it the shorter way home; and, as the conductor presently ex

, and in him he recognized at once Colonel Summers of the Alabama cavalry of by-gone days. With the Free-masonry of old campaigners, they gripped hands before questions of any kind were put. Harrod promptly explained the sit

he name of the road for your prompt courtesy to these friends of mine. I had to jump for the telegraph-office myself, and did not se

hour, Southron and Yank were drawing i

ctor came forward with a silver cup of delicious lemonade (he had levied on his pannier for lime-juice and powdered sugar) dexterously rendered soulful by a dash of Vini Gallici. Kitty smiled her thanks to both, and a duplicate of the beverage was grateful to her silent cousin. We flew over the rattling rails, and the jarring was incessant. The doctor produced an air-pillow for Pauline's head. We stopped somewhere for water, and the major disappeared. The ladies had brought luncheon in a large basket-but no appetites. The soldiers had rations and were filled. The officers had not had a mouthful since a bre

other second and it was deposited in front of her, and she bade him summon his brotherhood; and they went, even the stolid quartermaster, who felt sheepish apparently. And there she

Ragsdale's sandwiches were forgotten.

atch from here," and with that he rose. I went with him in search of the tele

despatch to New Orleans?

. "But won't this do?" and he placed in Harr

friends that fever is less. He rec

lds, A

God!" I

rting to his eyes, gras

ery thoughtf

the conductor. "Get

tents. Kitty had turned quickly to look. Conversation somehow had ceased. Then we saw her glance one instant up in his face. Then his strong arms were round her, for, burying her face in his breast, she had burst into a passion of almost hysterical weeping. Then we all turned away and shook h

liams. At her request Harrod brought him to her, that she might thank him for the thoughtfulness, the deli

the rear of our car apparently buried in slumber, except one figure. Mr. Turpin, with his blouse collar turned up and his hands in his pockets, was sitting bolt upright. Two seats behind him, her fair hair curling