The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-08-05
CHAPTER NIX.
THE SOLDIER.

%N Et went Tue CoIIlaSe VIII
"a A dash, the tumble Of its wheels
Il q 81 joining in the grewsome roar
of the elements. For some
time the two sat speeches. side by
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 We're going. why
he had seen no flashes Of lightning, if
he should ever see her again. His
mind was busy with thousand
thoughts and queries.
'sWhere are We going:" he asked aft
er they had travelled half mile or so.
TO Q place Of safety" came the re
ply from the darkness beside him.
Thanks he said dryly. by the
way, don't you have any lightning IN
this part Of the world? haven't seen
fash tonight"
'sIt is very rare" came the brief re-
ply.
.Devilish uncommunicative, thought
Lorrv. After moment he asked,
"How far do we travel tonight?"
! "a number of miles"
.'Then I'm going to take off this wet
coat. It weighs ton. Won't you re-
move yoursT He jerked off the big
rain coat and threw it across to the
opposite seat, with the keys and the
lantern. There was moments hesi-
tation on the part of his companion,
and then a second wet coat followed
the first. Their rain helmets We're also
tossed aside. Makes fellow feel
more comfortable
After this there was q 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, so he
leaned back in the opposite corner and
allowed his mind to wander far from
the interior OF that black, stufy 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 Edelwetss, and he could tell
by the joltng and careening that they
were in the country, racing over q
rough, rocky road 1t 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.
''I wish to know how soon I 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
sway, and he distinctly heard the SOL
der gasp. II beg your pardon?' he
cried, fearing that he had given pain
with his eager strength.
"You startled me. was half asleep"
stammered the other apologetcally.
.sWhom do you mean by my mistress?'
':Her royal highness, Of course" said
Lorry impatently.
81 cannot say when you are to see
the princess" said his companion after
waiting so long that Lorry felt like
kicking him.
'Well, see here, my friend, do you
know why agreed to leave that place
back there? said wouldn't so away
from Graustark until I had seen her.
If you fellows are spiriting me away
kidnapping me, as it were-I want to
tell you I won't have it that way. I
must know right now where we are go
in this awful Storm
81 have orders to tell you nothing"
said the soldier stanchly.
"Orders, eh! From whom?"
'sThat is my affair, sirr'
..I guess I'm about as much interest
ed in this affair as anybody, and in
sist on knowing our destination. 7
jumped into this thing blindly, but I'm
going to see my way out Of it before we
60 much farther. Where are we go
ing?'
:.You you will learn that soon
enough" insisted the other.
'.Am I to see her soon? That's what
want to know
'You must not insistw cried the sol
der. "Why are you so anxious to see
herr" he asked suddenly.
Don't be SO blamed inquisitiTe,' "
cried Grenfall angrily, impatiently.
Tell me where we are going or III put
a bullet into you" Drawing bis 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 obeying orders. I am
serving one you love. Are you mad?
shall scream if you keep pressing that
horrid thing against my SIDE Lorry
felt him tremble and was at once filed
with compunction How could he ex-
pect loyal fellow TO disobey orders?
II beg your pardon thousand times y
be cried, jamning the pistol into his
pocket. you are brave gentleman,
and I am a fool. Take me where you
will I'll so like a lamb. You'll admit,
however, that It is exasperating to be
going in the dark like this
1T is 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 tie
faintest idea what you look like. Have
T seen you at the casue:'
Yes, frequently.
will you tell me your name:'
"You would not know me by name
"Are you an officer:
"No. / am new to the service.
Then III see that you are promoted.
like your stanchness. How old arc