Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-06-24
CHAPTER XIX.
THE SOLDIER.

Joining In the SreWSome roar
of the elements. For some
time the two sat speechless side Dy
side. Outside the thunder rolled, the
rain swirled and hissed, the wind
howled and all the horrors of nature
seemed crowded into the blackness OF
that thrilling night. Lorry wondered
vaguely whittier they were going, why
he had seen no flashes Of lightning, If
he should ever see her again. His
mind was busy with a thousand
thoughts and queries.
"Where are we going?" he asked aft
er they had travelled half mile or 30.
ITO place Of safety" came the re-
ply from the darkness beside him.
s'Thanks," he said dryly. by the
way, don't you have any lightning In
this part of the world? haven't seen
q fash tonight"
1T is very rare" came the brief re-
ply.
"Devifish uncommunicative," thought
Lorry. After a moment he asked.
"How far do we travel tonightT
"a number Of miles,"
"Then I'm going to take OF this wet
coat. 1t weighs ton. Won't you re-
move yoursY He jerked off the big
rain coat and threw it across to the
opposite seat, with the keys and the
lantern. There was a moments hesi-
tation on the part Of his companion,
and then a second wet coat followed
the first. Their rain helmets were also
tossed aside. makes fellow feel
more comfortable"
After this there was longer silence
than at any time before. The soldier
drew himself into the corner Of the
seat, an action which repelled further
discussion, it seemed to Lorry, 80 he
leaned back in the opposite corner and
allowed his mind to wander far from
the interior of that black, stuffy car
rage. Where was he going? When
was he to leave Graustark? Was he
to see her soon?
Soon the carriage left the smooth
Streets Of Edelweiss, and he could tell
~ the jolting and careening that they
were in the country, racing over a
rough, rocky road. It reminded him
Of an overland trip he had taken In
West Virginia some months before,
with the fairest girl in all the world as
his companion. Now he was riding in
her carriage, but with surly, untalka-
tive soldier of the guard. The more he
allowed his thoughts to revel In the
American ride and its delights the
more uncomfortable became his desire
to see the one who had whirled with
him in Light Horse" Jerry's coach.
81 wish to know how soon / am to
see your Mistress" he exclaimed i'm
pulsively, sitting up and striking his
companions arm by way Of emphasis
To his surprise, the hand was dashed
away, and he distinctly heard the SOL
der gasp. 81 beg your pardon!' he
cried, fearing that he had given pain
with his eager strength.
"You startled me. l was half asleep
stammered the other apologetically.
"Whom do you mean by my mistress"
"Her royal highness, Of course" said
Lorry impatiently.
81 cannot say when you are to see
the princess" said his companion after
waiting 80 long. that Lorry felt like
kicking him.
"Well, see here, my friend, do you
know why I agreed to leave that place
back there? said wouldn't 60 away
from Graustark until had seen her.
II you fellows are spiriting me away
kidnapping me, as it were-I want to
tell you l won't have it that way. |
must know right now where we are 60
in this awful STORM"
81 have orders to tell you nothing"
said the soldier stanchly.
Orders, eh! From whom?
"That Is my affair, sir!'
II guess I'm about as much interest
ed in this affair as anybody, and l in
sist on knowing our destination. |
jumped into this thing blindly. but I'm
going to see my way out Of it before we
20 much farther. Where are we 60
ing?
"You you will learn that soon
enough" insisted the other.
"Am l to see her soon? That's what
l want to know"
"You must not insist" cried the SOL
dier. "Why are you so anxious to see
herr" he asked suddenly.
Don't be 80 blamed inquisitive,"
cried Grenfall angrily, impatiently.
''Tell me where we are going or I'll put
a bullet into you" Drawing his re-
volver, he leaned over, grasped the
guard by the shoulder and placed the
muzzle against his breast.
"For Gods sake, be calm. You would
not kill me for obeyng orders. | am
serving one you love. Are you mad!
l shall scream If you keep pressing that
horrid thing against my SIDE" Lorry
felt him tremble and was at once filled
with cOmpunction. How could he eX,
pect a loyal fellow to disobey orders?
II beg your pardon u thousand times, v
he cried, jamming the pistol into his
pocket. "You are brave gentleman
and | am a fool. Take me where you
will. III 70 like lamb. You'll admit
however, that it is exasperating to be
going in the dark like this"
1T is a very good thing that it is
dark" said the soldier quickly. The
darkness is very kind to us. No one
can see us, and we can see no one
IL should say not. l haven't tile
faintest idea what you look like. Have
l seen you at the castle"