Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-05-10
THE SPUR OF FATE.

Copyright, 1901, by Charles B. Ethering ton


tained. Moreover, she doubtless knew
what was the matter with Prince Kill
ziar. and so long as he had not actually
slain Darrell from jealousy the crime
of attempting to do so appeared less
black than 1t should. What she wanted
was an easy way out Of the difficulty,
and the general so understood.
docs Colonel Korna desire to make
formal charges?" he asked.
81 will do nothing to breed discord in
this critical hour" replied Korna firm
ly. "My own petty wrongs are not
worth considering. | mention them
merely that my report and the fact Of
my presence here may be understood.
What ] desire Is chance to serve our
cause. and, If might make a request.
it would be that should be assigned to
duty here"
General" said Vera. my desire is
to grant this request. Will you assign
Colonel Korna to duty|
81 would welcome him upon my
staff" said the general. whereupon
Korna made proper Acknowledgements.
and the incident seemed happily closed.
"As to the Russian force now lying
between US and Gredskov." said kor-
ma, 81 have certain information. but
Mr.. Darrell has much more. SO that
hesitate to speak before he has been
heard"
This judicious remark brought Oar.
rell back to the center Of the stage, and
his report was eagerly received. 1t ap-
peared Immediately that his informa-
ton was far more accurate than any
that had previously been brought In.
His estimate of the Russian force. with
sketches Of its position. made the situ-
alton seem far more serious than 1t
had hitherto been considered. 1t was
obvious that the Russians must expect
to cooperate with force moving down
from the north and that the plan was
to annihilate the little Circassian army
In Vladikaukas
'The position which they have TAX
en-" said Darrell, 'is merely that OF
the greatest advantage In case your
orce should attempt voluntary move
ment toward Gredskov. At the proper
time they will advance to invest this
city closely upon the south, but they
do not wish to do 1t prematurely be-
cause they are not strong enough to
take the place by assault. and an in
decisive action might result In bring
ing up Prince Kilziars army in their
rear. Clearly there has been some
hitch In their plan. for the thing was
to have been done quickly; otherwise
this flying column of Russians might
be caught by Kilziar's advance and be
in bad place. Something has delay
ed their larger force that was to move
down from the north, or you would
already be engaged with it. They GER
tainly must have expected to take Via
dikaukas this morning"
"Kilziar's scouts should have report
ed the presence Of this force" said
Vera, land he should already be ad.
vancing."
1--WE have no knowledge that such Is
the case" said the general. "We can
not assume that the prince Is In pos
session Of Information equal to ours.
The immediate need Is to send word to
him. He is probably in the same posi-
ton that we were In before Mr.. OAR
relPs arrival. aware. Of course, that the
communications had been cut. but In
ignorance that it had been done by a
force sufficient to menace seriously our
position here"
"Let the messengers be chosen at
once" exclaimed Vera. Il will prepare
the orders. We will catch these Rus
slams like gnat in glove"
And she made very graceful ges-
ture to enforce the metaphor.
81 will attend to this matter in per-
son." said the general, with the as
sistance Of Colonel korna. In the
meantime it may be that MIR. Darrell
will prepare duplicate maps of the
Russian position rs lie saw 1t. They
will be carried by our men and will as
sist them in getting through the lines
Darrell bowed as the general and
Korna left the room. Vera made
place for him at the table beside her.
and he began his work without word.
Sentries paced the veranda outside the
windows, and two were on guard in the
hall, but no one was within hearing.
The noises Of the camp came very
family, and the sound Of Darrclls pen.
Gil was audible in the room.
81 trust that you conveyed my thanks
and my apologies TO Mr.. and Mrs. Cor
DON" said Vera suddenly.
Darrell passed his hand across his
forehead as one does who would steady
his wits.
81 was not authorized to speak for
you," he said. "but know that they
fully understood. or course your sud
den departure gave us great anxiety.
We were afraid that in escaping from
the police you had run into the hands
Of the czar's agents. 1t was for that
reason that l went to Stavropol, re-
membcring that you had said you
might be taken there"
"But l told you where l was going"
she exclaimed. 81 gave you word for
Mr.. and Mrs. Gordon. l gave you the
means Of seeing me again in Paris"
Darrell slowly shook his head.
81 know nothing Of this" he said.
at was all-all in your hat" she
cried. stammering prettily in her ex-
element.
"All in my hat" he echoed. 81 real
ly beg your pardon"-
81 could not find you that last night"