Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-05-13
CHAPTER XVIII-CoNTINUED.

She would have left the room, but fear paral
wed her. She cast one look Of lmplorlng
terror at Graham. He did not understand
her, for wrapt in his own thoughts, he inter
preted it as sympathy for him, and frowning
iy turned away. Another look was better un'
derstood. Graham's eyes lighted with trl'
umph. As he resolutely turned from the
nleading gaze, a shadow of hate crossed his
face. It was but for moment. His gener'
Gus soul could not entertain such passions.
His face was almost as white as Ellen's as he
arose to enter the library. But ne suddenly
thought, if the door opens, the voices will be
heard. He must send Ellen while heengages
Hardy's attention. These thoughts passed
through his mind with the rapidity of light
ming, for scarcely moment had elapsed since
Hardy had entered the ROOM Rising and
standing between Ellen and Hardy, he col
lected the pictures on the table saying, as
calmly as he could =.
miss Ellen, I will trouble you to place
these with the others in the library, and please
place the originals in safety, also, or they will
be disturbed" He spoke with emphasis.
Giving him one hasty look Of gratitude,
Ellen arose as fast as her trembling limbs
would permit, and hastened to the library.
A hand was already on the lock, and ere
she could reach the door, Davie stepped into
the room saying
Sewer is late what can be keeping him p
Hardy sprang to his feet, gazed for an In
slant on the faces of CONSERVATION around,
then placing his hand on Davies shoulder,
said, with sneering smile
"You are my prisoner"
"Never!" said Davie, dashing his hand
from him and springing to the door.
"One step farther and you are dead man, y
thundered Hardy, drawing pistol from his
belt. Without needing him, Davie sprang
down the wide hall and entered the piazza.
Alas twenty troopers were drawn up before
the door. 1t was useless to struggle. Hardy
was behind him. "You are my prisoner" ne
again cried "Surrender."
Davie turned contemptuously from him,
and drawing his sword, offered it to Colonel
Graham. Taking it for an instant, Graham
returned it with courtly grace, saying
"It is as safe in your scabbard, Major Da-
vie, as it is in my possession. Keep it, sir !;
your word is sufficient that you will not use
it."
"You may not be aware, Col. Graham, that
you will find some difficulty in establishing
your own position'b before Lord Corvallis
would warn you against too much indulgence
to a rebel. AS my prisoner, Major Davie
must deliver his sword"
lit is immaterial, Grab m. I could not
give the promise you require, for | shall GER
tainly use it the first opportunity" said Da
vie, returning it to him, and completely ig-
noring the presence of the other A lower.
ing frown gathered on Hardy's brow, and
calling a guard to attend the prisoner, he re-
ouested Graham to re. enter the house.
Ellen was sitting in the same place they
had left her-pale, but calm and collected.
Mr.. Willoughby stood near her, with marks
of intense suffering and recent tears on his
face AS they entered, Ellen arose and left
the room. Hardy followed her with his eyes
till the library door closed upon her, and
then said
at is necessary, Col. Graham, that you
should make immediate preparations to &C.
company me to Lord CORVALLIS, and I must
beg you will do it with as much dispatch as
you can, as it is important for US to join my
Lord as speedily as possible"
Graham bowed haughtily.
"Did not my Lord send written instruc'
tions to that efect?' he asked.
"It is sufficient that give them to you"
replied Hardy, his ruddy face turning Grim
son. more at the tone than the words.
ut is not sufficient for me to receive an
order from an inferior officer, without ques.
tioning his right to enforce it" replied Gra-
ham; "and if your mission requires dispatch,
/ advise you to return at once and not allow
my movements to retard you, as shall GER
tainly not accompany YOU" and he folded
his arms proudly, as he carelessly leant
against the mantel.
"Then you compel me to place you under
the same escort with the rebel Davie," said
Hardy, with coarse laugh. 81 can tell you,
sir, your position is not very enviable just
now, and if you would not be deprived of
your sword by other than CORVALLIS, you
had better obey my instructions" said he sig
ni6cantly.
Grahamss eyes were literally scintllating
with passion.
"What do you mean, sir?" said he fierce
ly, involuntarily clapping his hand to his
side but he was unarmed.
81 think I spoke plainly enough. You are
dull of comprehension, Colonel" said Hardy,
with malicious smile.
Grahams voice was low and deep, and
strangely calm as he replied
81 understand nothing but the imperti-
nence of your language, sir, for which, as
sure as there is God in Heaven, you shall
answer. The rest is as cowardly as malice
and brutal hate can make it,
"Do you understand, this then?' said Har-
dy, in towering wrath "You are accused of
disloyalty to your King and sovereign of
cowardice that will not allow you to unite
with the rebels, and traitorism that forbds-
"Holdp' shouted Graham. "Another word
from your lying lips. and will choke it
back ere it pollutes my ears with its foul
dishonor."
Hardy's sword flew from the scabbard.
For all instant he met Graham's unHinching
gaze; then dashing it back with rattle to
its place, he said
Gas you are unarmed, and l responsible for
your safe appearance before my Lord, can.
not now revenge the affront; but, by heaven,
your arrogance shall not 90 unpunished
I'll find place to settle these scores yet."
"And in order that you may not forget it.
there is my challenge" cried Graham, das'''
ing his glove in Hardy's face; and with a
cool and naughty contempt, he turned on
his heel and left the room.
Hardy's curses, low and deep, followed
him; but choking his wrath as best he could
he said
at becomes my painful duty, Mr.. Viii
loughby, to attach your person in the name
of the King, for conniving at and otherwise
encouraging this rebellion"