Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-11-28

the less," was the grave answer. be-
sides, I think am justified in saying
you have treated me with aversion SO
marked of late that I am entitled to
know the cause. What can I have done
to deserve it, Ellis? Let US understand
each other"
"There is only one way, then, Mr..
Ormsby," she answered, with sudden
impulse. "Who is Helen Daunton!"
"Ellis, cannot tell you now," was
the sorrowful, gentle answer. "Be pa
tient with me yet little while"
"Yet you know9"
"Yes-I know"
"And you say let us understand each
other" she answered bitterly.
"Ellis, said to you before when we
spoke of this that there are secret orders
soldier must obey and not explain. In
these last few hours secret orders have
come to me-"
"And you accept secret orders-from
her?"
I accept them from my honor, Ellis,
for I have given my word. Nc" he i'm
plored, as she hastened as though to
leave him, "listen, for it may be my
last opportunity tonight. I know it
seems hard and strange to you that
when would lay my whole life open
before you, I must not yet tell you'this.
But, Ellis, I give you my honor 1 am
hiding nothing shameful to that poor
woman nor to me. 1t is only for a
time I must be silent. When I can
speak, you'll forgive me, dear. You will
thank me that I do keep silence now.
Trust me, Ellis. Can you not look up
at me and say you trust me?"
Ah, how pleading was his tone, how
full Of love and fire and tenderness his
manly face, as in that still winter night
he looked down into her eyesl Over at
the barracks there was sudden stop to
all the music, but mems voices could be
heard in excited talk. Along officers
row many a door was opened and wom-
en- and children were peering out i'll
search Of explanation of the unusual
summons. Over at the adjutant's office
dark throng had gathered, the officers
of the garrison and other knots as Of SOL
diers or Indians could be seen, but Jack
and Ellis saw, heard, nothing Of this.
Her voice had the ring of steel to it as
she answered.:
eff it were just question Of my own
happiness, might trust you, but it is
my mothers happiness-perhaps her
life. must know all there is to know
about that woman whom my mother
trusts so blindly. I must know for my
/ self. In the name of the love you offer
me will you tell me the truth about
herr"
"Ellis, cannot tonight. I have
given my word. "
"Then keep it, said she with sudden
passion. "Keep it and keep your love. I"
Then she turned and fed within the
chaplain's gate, leaving him standing
on the snowy walk without, sorrowing,
yet determined.
For a moment he stood there follow
ing her with his eyes. Never stopping
to knock or ring, she turned the knob
and let herself into the brightly lighted
hall. He caught glimpse of the gray
haired chaplain bending over a womanly
form. He caught one feeting view Of
Helen Daunton's anxious face. Evi-
IDENTIFY the call had been heard there,
too, and, coming as it did in the still
ness of the holiday evening, it BODIED no
good. Only on rare occasions or some
sudden emergency was Fenton known
to call every duty officer to his presence,
even BY day, and he would be almost
the last man to break in upon the fes-
tiyities Of the season with stern call
to arms unless arms and men both were
needed somewhere. The day had been
one long trial to Mrs. Farrar, and since
noon one long torture to her cherished
friend. And so, as they were seated
about the chaplain's fire and the trum-
net notes were heard, and servant
fastening in said, "It's officers call,
SIR" Just as Ellis feared her mother
was seized with sudden faintness. "My
boy, Willy! They won't take him, " she
faltered, and then sank back nerveless
into her chair.
Ormsby turned and sped away for the
Office. At least he could ascertain the
cause of the summons and bring them
tidings if it meant no move, but the
first glance through the window at his
unole's face, as he stood surrounded by
his officers, told the New Yorker, al
ready experienced in frontier garrison
life, that something imminent was in
the wind. Fenton was talking rapidly,
as was his wont when reused, and the
only faces in the group that did not
seem to kindle in response to the light
in his keen, sparkling eyes were those
of two heavily blanketed Indians stand
ing sullen and imperturbable beside
him. Out in the snow half dozen non
commissioned officers were gathered in
a group by the little knot of Indian
ponies and cowboy bronchos. An Indian
boy, lolling in his saddle, replied in
monosyllables to their eager questions.
A brace of Rwboys, one of them obvl-
ously in liquor, sought to impress upon
all within hearing their version of some
row that had evidently taken place.
Among the bystanders was Ormsby's