Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-11-27

is the best thing under all the clrcum.
stances? Of course my wife and Alice
will leave today. She was still sleeping
when I left, and, pray God, is not
dreaming of this. 1t was nearly 2 before
she closed her eyes last night, and l.
too, slept badly. You have seen him.
What does he say7'
"Denies everything - everything -
challenges me to prove that he was ab-
sent from his house more than five min
utes-indeed, I could not, for he may
have come in just after I left-and pre-
tended utter ignorance of my meaning
when I accused him of striking me be-
fore I ordered the sentry to fire. OF
course it is all useless now. When I
confront him with this letter. he must
give in. Then let him resign and get
away as quietly ss possible before the
end of the week. No one need know the
causes. Of course shooting is what he
deserves, but shooting demands expla-
nation. It is better for your name, hers
and all that he should be allowed to
live than that the truth were suspected,
as it would be If he were killed. In
deed, sir, if I were you, I would take
them to Sablon, keep them away for q
fortnight and leave him to me. It may
be even judicious to let him 90 on with
all his duties as though nothing had
happened, as though he had simply
been absent from reveille, and let the
whole matter drop like that until all
remark and curiosity are lulled; then you
can send her back to Europe or the east
time enough to decide Oh that-but 1
will privately tell him be must quit the
service in six months and show him
why. It isn't the way it ought to be
settled, it probably isn't the way Armi-
tage would do it, but 1t is the best
thing that occurs to me. One thing is
certain. You and they ought to get
away at once, and he should not be per-
mitted to see her again. I can run the
post few days and explain matters
after you CO."
The colonel sat in wretched silence a
few moments. Then he arose:
"If it were not for her danger-her
heart-I would never drop the matter
here-neverl I would see it through
to the bitter end. But you are probably
right as to the prudent course to take.
I'll get them away on the noon train.
He thinks they do not start until later.
Now 7 must 90 and face it. My God,
Chester, could you look at that child
and realize it? Even now, even now,
sir, I believe-I believe some way
somehow-she is Innocent"
"God grant it, sirr'
And then the colonel left the Office,
avoiding, us has been told, word with
any man. Chester buttoned the telltale
letter in an inner pocket, after having
first folded the sheet lengthwise, and
then inclosed it in long official envel-
ope. The officers, wondering at the
colonel's distraught appearance, had
come thronQing in. hoping for informa.
tion, and then had gone, unsatisfied and
disguised, practically turned out by
their grabbed senior captain. The Ia
dies, after chatting aimlessly about the
quadrangle for half an hour, had decid-
ed that Mrs. Maynard must be ill, and
while most of them awaited the result
two of their number went to the colo
nel's house and rang the bell. A
servant appeared. 'Mrs. Maynard
wasn't very we'll this morning and was
breakfasting in her room, and Miss
Alice was with her, if the ladies would
please excuse them" And so the ennis
saries returned unsuccessful. Then,
too, as we have seen, despite his good
intention of keeping matters hushed as
much as possible, Chester's nervous IT.
ritability had got the better Of him,
and he had made damaging admissions
to Wilton of the existence of cause
of worriment and perplexity, and this
Wilton told without compunction. And
then there was another excitement that
set all tongues wagging. Every man
had heard what Chester said; that Mr.
Jerrold must not quit the garrison un-
til he had first come and seen the tenn
porary commanding officer, and Hall
had speedily carried the news to his
friend.
care you ready to go?'' asked Mr..
Jerrold, who was lacing his boots in the
rear room.
"No. I've got to go and get into
'cits' first "
"All right 60 and be lively! I'll
wait for you at Murphy's, beyond the
bridge, provided you say nothing about
it."
"You don't mean you are going
against orders?"
"Going? Of course I am. I've got old
Maynard's permission, and if Chester
means to revoke it he's got to get his ad-
jutant here inside Of 10 seconds. What
you tell me isn't official. I'm off now!"
And when the adjutant returned to
Captain Chester it was with the infor-
nation that he was too late. Mr.. Jer-
rold's dogcart had crossed the bridge
| five minutes earlier.
Perhaps an hour later the colonel sent
for Chester, and the captain went to his
house. The old soldier was pacing slow
" up and down the parlor floor.