Part 76 (2/2)

”I've come down,” resumed the visitor, letting Mike count off ”Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief,” on the b.u.t.tons of his coat, ”to give you any help I can in getting ready to leave town. For you mustn't think of staying. It isn't possible to be anything short of dreadful to stay in a city occupied by hostile troops. It's almost certain the Confederates will try to hold the city, and there may be a bombardment. The city may be taken and retaken half-a-dozen times before the war is over.”

”Mr. Richlin',” said Kate, with a majestic lifting of the hand, ”I'll nivver rin away from the Yanks.”

”No, but you must _go_ away from them. You mustn't put yourself in such a position that you can't go to your husband if he needs you, Mrs.

Ristofalo; don't get separated from him.”

”Ah! Mr. Richlin', it's you as has the right to say so; and I'll do as you say. Mr. Richlin', my husband”--her voice trembled--”may be wounded this hour. I'll go, sur, indeed I will; but, sur, if Captain Raphael Ristofalah wor _here_, sur, he'd be ad the _front_, sur, and Kate Ristofalah would be at his galliant side!”

”Well, then, I'm glad he's not here,” rejoined Richling, ”for I'd have to take care of the children.”

”Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Kate. ”No, sur! I'd take the lion's whelps with me, sur! Why, that little Mike theyre can han'le the dthrum-sticks to beat the felley in the big hat!” And she laughed again.

They made arrangements for her and the three children to go ”out into the confederacy” within two or three days at furthest; as soon as she and her feeble helper could hurry a few matters of business to completion at and about the Picayune Tier. Richling did not get back to the Doctor's house until night had fallen and the sky was set aglare by seven miles' length of tortuous harbor front covered with millions'

worth of burning merchandise. The city was being evacuated.

Dr. Sevier and he had but few words. Richling was dejected from weariness, and his friend weary with dejections.

”Where have you been all day?” asked the Doctor, with a touch of irritation.

”Getting Kate Ristofalo ready to leave the city.”

”You shouldn't have left the house; but it's no use to tell you anything. Has she gone?”

”No.”

”Well, in the name of common-sense, then, when is she going?”

”In two or three days,” replied Richling, almost in retort.

The Doctor laughed with impatience.

”If you feel responsible for her going get her off by to-morrow afternoon at the furthest.” He dropped his tired head against the back of his chair.

”Why,” said Richling, ”I don't suppose the fleet can fight its way through all opposition and get here short of a week.”

The Doctor laid his long fingers upon his brow and rolled his head from side to side. Then, slowly raising it:--

”Well, Richling!” he said, ”there must have been some mistake made when you was put upon the earth.”

Richling's thin cheek flushed. The Doctor's face confessed the bitterest resentment.

”Why, the fleet is only eighteen miles from here now.” He ceased, and then added, with sudden kindness of tone, ”I want you to do something for me, will you?”

”Yes.”

”Well, then, go to bed; I'm going. You'll need every grain of strength you've got for to-morrow. I'm afraid then it will not be enough. This is an awful business, Richling.”

They went upstairs together. As they were parting at its top Richling said:--

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