Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-01-12
HORSE SHOE
ROBINSON
A Tale of the Revolutionary Struggle In
Upper Carolina.
By JOHN p. KENNEDY.
CHAPTER IV-CoNr1NUED.

IF you needs must go, Arthur, l
have no word to say. You will leave
behind you an aching heart, that
morning, noon and night, wearies
heaven with Its prayers for your safe
ty. Alas, I have no other aid to give!
How soon-how soon." she said, with
a voice that faltered with the ques-
ton, "does your duty compel you to
leave me?"
"Tomorrow's sunrise, love, must
find me forth upon my way"
Tomorrow, Arthur? so quickly to
part!"
"I dare not linger; not even for the
rich blessing Of thy presence"
And the utmost length Of your
journey?"
Indeed, I know not. At present
my farthest aim is Ninety-Six and Au-
gusta. It much depends upon the
pleasure of our proud and wilful mas
ters"
Mildred stood for some moments
looking upon the ground in profound
silence. Her bosom heaved with a
sad emotion.
"It is a dangerous duty" said she'
at last. "I cannot speak my appre-
hension at the thought Of your risks
amongst the fierce and treacherous
men that overrun the country to which
you travel"
These perils are exaggerated by
distance" returned Butler. "A thou
sand expedients Of protection and de-
fence occur when present, which the
absent cannot fancy. 1t is light SER
vice, Mildred, and may more securely
be performed with a gay heart than
with a sad one. I pray you, do not
suffer that active imagination Of yours
to invest the everyday adventures Of
your soldier with a romantic interest
of which they are not worthy.
neither slay giants, nor disenchant la
dies, nor yoke captive griftins togeth-
er. No, no. / shall outrun some over
fed clown, and outwit some simple
boobies; and. perhaps, soil my boots
in a great slough, and then hasten
back, love, to boast Of my marvels to
the credulous ear Of my own sweet
girl, who, I warrant, will think me
most preposterous hero"
How can you laugh, Arthur? And
yet I would not have you catch my
foolish sadness, either"
"I have with me, besides. Mildred,
a friend good at need; one Galbraith
Robinson, a practised and valiant sof-
dier, who sits on yonder bank. He Is
to be the companion of my journey;
he is shrewd. vigilant and cautious. an
inhabitant, moreover, Of the district
to which 1 am bound; his wisdom can
do much for my success. Then, l
travel, too. in peaceful guise. My bus
mess is more concerned with negotia-
ton than with battle"
"It is q waylaid path, Arthur" said
Mildred, in the same faint voice with
which she had spoken before.
Never take it so heavily, my love-"
exclaimed Butler. familiarly seizing
her hand, whose trembling now be-
trayed her agitation,-'it is the mere
sport of the war to be upon running
service, where light strategem or so
will battle a set Of dull-pated clod-
poles! I scarcely deem 1t venture,
to dodge through a forest, where ev-
cry man flies from his neighbor out OF
mutual distrust. These fellows have
brought themselves up on such bad
terms with their own consciences, that
they start like thieves at the waving
Of bulrush."
They would be the more cruel" re-
piled Mildred, "if some i'll luck should
throw you into their power. If that
should happen" she added, and for
awhile she hesitated to speak. as
tear fell upon Buffers hand; IF that
should happen, I cannot bear the
thought"
"They dare offer me no wrong, Mil
dred. The chances of battle are suf-
ficiently various to compel even the
victors to pursue the policy Of human
ity to prisoners. The conqueror of to-
day may himself be a captive tomor-
row, and a bloody reprisal would
await his barbarity. Again. let me re-
mind you. these are not fit topics for
your meditation"
"They are topics for my heart, Ar
thur, and will not be driven from II.
II your lot should put you in the pow
err Of the enemy, the name of Mildred
Lindsay, and the relation you bear
her, whispered in their ears. may
perhaps, unlock their charity. My
father has many friends in those ranks
and it may be that am not unknown
to some Of them; oh. remember that!
You have little need to teach me
to think or speak Of Mildred Lindsay,
said Butler, eagerly. l cannot forget
that name. But I may we'll doubt its
charm upon the savage bulldogs who
are now batting our citizens in Car
olina: those ruthless partisans who
are poisoning the fountain of con-
tentment at every fireside. 1t is
not a name to conjure evil spirits
with"
Major Butler" said Henry, who
during his long interval had been
strolling backward and forward, like
a sentinel, at some distance from his
sister and her lover. and who, with
the military ponctilio of a soldier on
duty, forbore even to listen to what
he could not have helped overhear-
ing If it had not been for humming a
tune-''major, I don't like to make
or meddle with things that don't belong
to me-but you and Mildred have
been talking long enough to settle the
course Of a whole campaign. And
as nv father thinks he can't be toe
careful Of Mildred, and doesn't like
her walking about after night fall
I shouldn't be surprised If messen-
ger were despatched for us-only
think that man Tyrrel is Matching
some plot with him tonight. and
may keep him longer in talk thar
usual"
"Who is Tyrrel?" inquired Butler
lone that 1 wish had been in nj: