Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-01-01

They saw him greet her at the door.
Some of them turned away, unwilling
to look and yet unwilling to 90 and not
understand this new phase Of the mys-
terry. Rollins, looking neither to right
nor left, repassed them and walked off
with a set, savage look Oh his young
face, and then, as one or two still gazed,
fascinated by this strange and daring
proceeding, others, too, turned back
and, half ashamed Of themselves for
such yielding to curiosity, glanced
furtively over at Jerrold's door.
There they stood-he restrained by
his arrest, unable to come forth; she,
restrained more by his barring form
than by any consideration Of maidenly
reserve, for, had he hidden, she would
have gone within. She had fully made
up her mind that wherever he was, even
were it behind the sentinels and bars Of
the guardhouse, she would demand that
she be taken to his side. He had handed
out a chair, but she would not sit.
They saw her looking up into his face
as he talked and noted the eager gesti-
culation, so characteristic of his creole
blood, that seemed to accompany his
rapid words They saw her bending TO-
ward him, looking eagerly up in his
eyes and occasionally casting indignant
glances over toward the group at the
office, as though she would annihilate
with her wrath the prosecutors Of her
hero Then they saw her stretch forth
both her hands, with quick impulsive
movement, and grasp his one instant,
looking so faithfully, steadfastly, loyal
ly, into his clouded and anxious face
Then she turned, and with quick, eager
steps came tripping toward them. They
stood irresolute. Every man felt that it
was somebody's duty to step forward,
meet her and be her escort through the
party, but no one advanced. There was,
if anything, a tendency to sidle toward
the Office door, as though to leave the
sidewalk unimpeded. But she never
sought to pass them by. With flashing
eyes and crimson cheeks, she bore
straight upon them, and with indignant.
emphasis upon every word acoosted
them:
Captain Wilton, Major sloat, I wish
to see Captain Chester at once. Is he
in the Officer
Certainly, Miss Beaubien. Shall I
call him, or will you walk in?" And
both men were at her side in moment
"Thanks. Twill 60 right inf you
will kindly show me to him.
Another moment, and Armitage and
Chester, deep in the mid of their du-
ties and surrounded by clel ks and order
lies and assailed by half dozen ques-
tions in one and the same instant, looked
up astonished as Wilton stepped in and
announced Miss Beaubien, desiring to
zee Captain Chester OH immediate bust
ness. There was no time for conference.
There she stood in the doorway, and all
tongues were hushed on the instant.
Chester rose and stepped forward, with
anxious courtesy. She did not choose to
see the extended hand.
"It is you, alone, I wish to see, CAP
tain. Is it impossible here?"
81 fear it is, Miss Beaubien, but we
can walk out in the open air. feel
that I know what it is you wish to say
to me-" he added in a low tone, took
his cap from the peg on which it hung
and led the way. Again she passed
through the curious but respectful
group, and Jerrold, watching furtively
from his window, saw them come forth.
The captain turned to her as soon as
they were out of earshot:
II have no daughter of my own, my
dear young lady, but if I had I could
not more thoroughly feel for you than
T do. How can help your"
The reply was unexpectedly spirited.
He had thought to encourage and sus-
tain her, be sympathetic and paternal;
but, as he afterward ruefully admitted,
he "never did seem to get the hang of a
woman's temperament. Apparently
sympathy was not the thing she needed.
"It is late in the day to ask such a
question, Captain Chester. You have
done great wrong and injustice. The
question is now, Will you undo it?'
He was too surprised to speak for a
moment. When his tongue was un-
loosed, he said:
81 shall be glad to be convinced /
was wrong"
II know little of army justice or
army laws, Captain Chester, but when
q girl is compelled to take this step to
rescue friend there is something brutal
about them, or the men who enforce
them. Mr.. Jerrold tells me that he is
arrested. I knew that last night but
not until this morning did he consent to
let ME know that he would be court
martialed unless he could prove where
he was the Eight you were officer of the
day two weeks ago and last Saturday
night. He is too noble and good to de-
fend himself when by doing so he might
harm me. But I am here to free him
from the cruel suspicion you have form
ed" She had quickened her step, and
in her impulsivcness and agitation they
We're almost at the end of the walk. He
hesitated, as though reluctant to go
along under the piazza, but she was i'm
perious, and he yielded. "No, come"
she said. II mean that you shall hear
the whole truth, and that at once. do
not expect you to understand or condone
my conduct, but you must acquit him.
We are engaged, and-I love him. He
has enemies here, as I see all too plain
ly, and they have prejudiced mother
against him, and she has forbidden my
seeing him. came out to the fort with
out her knowledge one day, and it an
gered her. From that time she would
not let me see him alone. She watched
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