The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-08-27


for a. instant at this point, Loring
gi,iag to bis glance an expression of
triumph: as Fairfax thought, and
Fairfax simself scowling so viciously
thas. although Pauline looked straight
into his face, she did not recognize
him at TIE time.
Colonel Loring's promptness and
nerve doubtless served the ladies
from death or great injury. He drove
the carriage to Chateau dor and re.
celved sucn thanks and such looks OF
gratitude as Fairfax would have
fought around the earth to win.
81 don't see how you did it, and so
easily, toor said Mrs. Vernon, after
they had entered the parlor. Loring
was still standing, hat in hand.
"Please sit down, Colonel Loring,
and tell US all about it. Mercy, how
my heart is still huttering! How did
you manage to get to us and take US
out of that horrible place."
"It was nothing" he said, with his
cold, peculiar smile. "Imerely turned
the horses and drove away. Any
little boy could have done the same"
"But, no; that were impossible,
SIR" Pauline urged. Nobody but
you could have done what you did.
When that dark, little man sprang at
your throat with the knife I thought
he had stabbed you but you struck
him with your hand and he fell
quite as if he had been shot. Oh, it
was dreadful, and you did not appear
to care for it at all!'
Loring's narrow, fascinating eyes
gazed steadily into her face as he
said:
81 have been accustomed to dangers
so much greater than that little affair
could possibly bring, that I hardly
count myself a hero, Miss Vernon,
for having piloted you out of a trifling
annoyance. Pray do not tnink OF it
as a matter Of any Importance what
ever. l deem it bit of good fortune
for me that can be at Chateau dor
once more before I take my leave Of
New Orleans Tor time.
".And you are going away?" Mrs.
Vernon inquired with quick interest,
that shaded sharply into regret. "Go.
ing away from us?'
"Yes-the war. I cannot rest idle
while the country needs soldiers.
Pauline thought he looked the very
model of what a soldier ought to be.
"And where shall you join the army?"
she asked.
II do not know yet; my place has
not yet been assigned to me; but that
matters little. A soldiers business is
to obey orders and have no prefer
ences."
Lieutenant Ballanche is gone al
ready, I believe; at least he bade us
goodbye, and was expecting to so to
the interior the next day."
"Yes, the Government sent him to
look after some outlaws over on the
border. I believe; he's
likely to have some amusement before
he accomplishes bis errand, I should
think"
"You gentlemen have strange ideas
of amusement. What entertainment
do you see in fighting robbers?" inter-
posed Mrs. Vernon in deprecatory
tone, that yet had an admiration point
in it. "Is it such great sport to kill
and be kllled?"
81 don't call it SPORT" he said,
his gaze slowly from Pauline
TO her mother, "but the excitement
is mighty tonic. When a man is
bunting q man, or is hunted by one,
be feels, to the limit of possibility, the
true meaning of self-reliance."
"But it Is terrible!" exclaimed
Pauline. cit makes men worse than
beasts of prey!"
Loring laughed slow, heavy laugh,
MS strong, mysterious face lighting up
strangely.
Mrs. Vernon and Pauline were sit
ting side by side upon ark.tapes-
tried sofa. Pauline was toying with
her mothers hand.
"Isn't the whole OF life terrible?"
Loring demanded. What, after all,
is there to relieve it of its dark sig-
The ladies looked disturbed. What !
he had said was depressing enough
under the circumstances; but his
voice, his manner and his inscrutable
face made an impression singularly
startling. 1t was one of those mo-
ments that come to all of US, when
hidden things of strange import are
half revealed to what, for want OF a
better name, We call our inner con.
sciousness.
Pauline was aware of a sudden SYM
pathy for this dark, weather stained,
SCARED veteran who seemed to take
such jaundiced view of life. Her
girls heart went out to him as it
might have done to beautiful wound
ed animal. She felt the weight of his
vast experience with evil pressing
upon her with the effect of infinite
pathos. She recalled what he had
said to her OH the evening of the par