Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-03-25
S. @, THURSDAY, MARCH 25, $780,

~ AoAA A-A~-~S
"Too many woman's knackeries about here tt
deny that. Well, where is she?"
"Gone to visit friend"
"a friend! What friend? How far from
here?"
"Look ye, sirs, when ye tell me who mad
my business yours, I'll talk to you about it,
replied the old man, Indignantly.
"Hi! you're up there, are you? Well,
tell you, civil question requires civil an
swer, and I'll make the business mine, it SCI
fit; so keep civil tongue in your head, yo'
old Scotch rascal, or maybe you'll have nj
head to hold it," and rising, the unwelcom
visitors departed.
But it is time to see how little Bessie il
speeding on her journey. Giving the rein t.
the horse, she did not again draw it, unit
within the Whig camp. 1t was not unit
challenged by sentry and demanding to bt
conducted into the presence of the command
ing officer, that she felt the awkwardness O.
her position. As she rode through the camp
many curious look was turned towards her
and many an exclamation Of admiration fel
upon her ear.
"Who is commanding oficer?' she said tc
the guide.
"Captain Bowen" he replied. Bessie in
voluntarily checked her horse.
"Take me to some one else" said she, hur
riedly. 81 cannot 90 to him."
81 guess there's no one else can take you
to and you need not fear him, Miss, for O
tr,er pentleman never lived"
II know that said little Bessie, proudly
erecting her head, "but is there no one else
I could give my information to, and let me go
back home ?" said she, timidly. The trooper
smiled.
mo, Miss, there is no choice now but to
60 to headquarters. Yonder he is now."
Bessie looked and easily discovered Bow
en- among the tall mountaineers by whom he
was surrounded, from his superior height.
He was standing with his cap in his hand,
the fire light throwing strong reflection on
his handsome face, laughing lightly with his
brother officers. Bessie saw the guide ap.
proach and give her name; she saw, too, the
startled looks of pleasure, and smiled saw the
succeeding look of doubtful wonder, and in
voluntarily she blushed deeply, and sigh
trembled from her breast. But she had no
farther time for thought. Bowen was him
self approaching.
Bessie" said he, "you here! What is
wrong?" and he held out his hand to take
her from the saddle, but instinctively the
won,an drew back.
"Captain Bowen" said she distantly, while
a burning. flush mantled her brow and was
gradually succeeded by death like pallor,
II come at the call of duty, bearing impor-
tant news. Major Davie is in danger; per.
haps even now in the hands of the enemy" "
and she rapidly detailed the conversation she
had overheard, only refraining from the por-
tion which referred to herself. .. ....
"Ha" replied Bowen, "this must be seen
to; it will be necessary to detain you few
minutes" and he touched his cap respectfully,
while Bessie thanked him in her inmost heart
for the delicacy which led him to treat her as
a stranger. Ordering sentinel to take her
to retired part of the camp, he hastily com
municated with his brother officers, and al
most Immediately the trumpet sounded to
arms The camp was now scene of hustle
and confusion, and Bessie wondered if order
could ever be brought out of such disorderly
elements as the mass. Of busy and excited
troopers presented. The tramping of steeds,
the rattling of sabres and muskets, the call of
the officers, the shouts of the men, all mingled,
made din quite novel to little Bessie's ears,
and she smiled as she caught herself listening
to catch the sound of Ellick's voice above it
all. While the troop was getting in readi'
ness, Ellick snatched moment to speak with
Bessie.
"You are a brave, little woman, Bessie,
said he, after assuring her there was no one
by to notice them. "If it is as you say, l
have no doubt you have saved Major Davies
life. cannot tell you how proud l am OF
you~for it,
"Are you, Ellick 7, said she, lifting her
blue eyes to his face in innocent wonder that
such stalwart specimen Of manhood as the
brave trooper before her, should be proud of
such mite of a body as little Bessie Craig.
Indeed, am, Bessie" said he, laughing at
her wonderment; "you are fit to be a soldiers
wife,"
"Oh! Ellick, do you think so p said she,
every feature beaming with satisfaction; "do
you know thought of that? / feared you
thought me little coward woman, and was
glad to prove that I was not afraid to do my
duty still it was not all for that did it. |
would have done anything to save Major
Davie"
"And why Major Davie, Bessie?" said
Bowen "you do not know him.
"But you do, Ellick, and the men said you
loved him, and his death would hurt you. ="
All! there was the secret of it ALL
"You are very woman, Bessie" said he,
warmly; "but the men are ready and I must
away. God bless you, Bessie; guard will
see you safe home after we leave" and he
sprung to his saddle.
Bessie watched him take his place at the
head of his men, heard him shout forward" !"
and in moment, she was alone with her es-
cort.
CHAPTER vi.
Upon his hand, she laid her own,