Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-11-27

courtesied. he tapped her gently upon
the cheek, and begged that he might be
shown his apartment, stating, at the
same time, the probability that he
would be an inmate for several days
Of the tavern. The sergeant scowled
fiercely at the liberty thus taken, and
the youth could not help seeing that
the eye Of the girl sank under the
glance that the former gave her. He
said nothing, however, and taking In
his hand the little fur valise that he
carried. the only furniture, besides
! saddle and bride, worn by his horse,
he followed the steps Of Bella, who
soon conducted him to his chamber.
and left him to those ablutions which
long ride along a sandy road had
rendered particularly necessary.
The sergeant meanwhile was not so
well satisfied with what had taken
place. He was vexed that he had not
terrified the youth-vexed at his COM
posure-vexed that he had tapped
Bella Humphries upon her cheek, and
doubly vexed that she had submitted
with such excellent grace to the afore-
said tapping. The truth Is. Sergeant
Hastings claimed some exclusive priv
ileges with the maiden. He was her
re yular gallant-bestowed upon her the
greater part Of his idle time, and had
as ttered himself that he stood alone
in her estimation; and so, perhaps, he
did. His attentions had given him a
large degree Of influence over her, and
what with his big speech, staggering
carriage, and flashy uniform, poor
Bella had long since been taught to
acknowledge his power over her fancy.
But the girl was coquettish, and her
very position as maid of the inn had
contributed to strengthen and confirm
the natural predisposition. The kind
words and innocent freedom Of the
handsome stranger were not disagree
able to her, and she felt not that they
interfered with the claims Of the SER
geant. or would be so disagreeable to
him, until she beheld the scowling
glance with which he surveyed them.
In the hall below, to which the land
lord had now returned Hastings gave
utterance to the spleen which this
matter had occasioned.
That's an impudent fellow--a very
impudent fellow. I don't like him, at
ALI"
The landlord looked up timidly.
And what, sergeant-what!"
Il say. don't like him. I suspect
himl"
Suspect! God ha' mercy; and who
do You think-who do you think he Is,
sergeant"
How should know? asked you;
you know every thing; at least, you
pretend to. Why are you out here?
Who is he?"
"Bless me. can't say; don't know"
What do you think he Isl"
Think! 1 think! OH! no! I don't
think"
He certainly is an irapudent-a very
suspicious person."
do you think so, sergeant?" asked
one Of the persons present, with an air
IF profound alarm.
Il do-a very suspicious person-one
that should be watched narrowly"
II see nothing suspicious about
him." said another. the same individ-
ual who had placed himself beside the
stranger when the wrath Of the ser
geant was expected to burst upon him,
and when he had actually laid his hand
upon his sword: T see nothing suspi-
cious about the stranger" said the
speaker boldly, Except that he doesn't
like to be troubled with foolish ques-
tions"
Bless me, John Davis, do you know
what you're a saying?" The landlord
spoke in great trepidation. and placed
himself, as he addressed John Davis,
between him and the sergeant.
"Yes. know perfectly what I say,
Master Humphries; and say It's very
unmannerly. the way in which the
stranger has been pestered with fool
ish questions. I say 1t, and say 1t
again: and I don't care who hears 1t.
I'm ready to stand up to what say
BLESS me, the boys mad. Now, SER
geant don't mind him-hes only fool
ish, you see."
Mind him-oh no! Look you. young
man, do you see that tree? 1t won't
take much treason to tuck you up
there"
Treason, indeed! I talk no treason,
Sergeant Hastings. and I defy you to
prove any agin me. I'm not to be
frightened this time o day. I'd have
YOU to know: and though you are
sodger, and wear a red coat, let me
tell you there is tough colt in the
woods that your two legs can't straddle.
There Is no treason in that, for it only
concerns one person, and that one per-
son is your own self. and I'm as good
a man as you any day."
"You id rebel. Is 1t so you speak
to a sergeant in his majesty's service?
Take that"-and with the words, with
his sword drawn at the instant, he
made a stroke with the fiat Of 1t at the
head Of the sturdy disputant, which. as
the latter somewhat anticipated the
assault, he was prepared to elude.
This was done adroitly enough. and
with a huge club which stood conven-
iently in the corner, he had prepared
himself without fear to guard against
repetition Of the attack, when the
stranger, about whom the coil had aris-
en-, suddenly made his appearance. and
at once interposed between the parties.
TIC BE CONTINUED.
Clocks All Of Glass.
A somewhat futile feat Of painstak-