Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-10-04
CHAPTER VIII.
In Loves Crucible.

most peaceful hour Of the whole day.
the hour between twilight and dark
ness, as Helen Dare and Dan Horton
came slowly along side by side, on
their way from the hospital.
Helen had been there to inquire for
the wounded prisoner. and also to take
a note from Florence Sherwood to
Swiftwind; a note which Florence had
exhibited the most intense anxiety to
have delivered without delay.
Helen had been only too glad to OBJ
lige the unfortunate young woman, for
whom she felt not only the deepest
sympathy, but a warm affection as
WELL She was so helpless and so un-
happy.
AS Miss Dare left the hospital she
found the scout, Dan Horton, lettering
outside, and just a faint color tinged
the delicate oval Of her cheek as she
caught sight of him.
It was no new thing for her to meet
him when she left the house, either on
an errand, or to obtain the fresh air,
and unconsciously. Of late, she had
come to look forward to these encoun-
ters.
She believed them to be pure chance,
but Horton could undoubtedly have
told another tale.
In spite Of the vastly different lives
they had led, there were many sub
jects on which the two were strangely
sympathetic, and they had become
very good friends. Friends? Well,
perhaps friendship Is the right word
to describe the sentiment which Miss
Dare felt for the handsome scout, but
II Is certain that his feeling for her
was rapidly developing into something
much stronger.
1t is only fair to Helen Dare to say
that IL she had suspected this she
would have stopped all intercourse be-
tween them at once. But such
thought had up to this time never en-
tered her head. She only realized that
she liked him very much, better than
any other man at Fort Terry, and that
1t was very pleasant to talk to him.
do all women take their first pro-
posals so lightly, Miss Dare?" asked
Horton, continuing their conversation.
Helen had been telling him about Higg
absurd proposal which Dorothy had
impaired to her. with no promise
whatever of secrecy.
"She is but child, Mr.. Horton
replied Helen, deprecatingly.
Horton looked at her, a strange, in
tense expression upon his bronzed
face.
women are but girls" he said,
slowly, who have outgrown their
aprons Hearts should not change"
Helen was silent for a moment, her
thoughts reverting, and reverting any
thing but pleasantly, to her own past,
and then she answered, almost as II
speaking to herself rather than to the
one who had suggested the words:
I'VE seldom marry our first loves"
Yet" replied Horton, looking at her
in a manner which should have be-
trayed him; but which Helen, absorb
ed in her own thoughts. did not OBJ
serve. And yet. first love is always
best, they say"
mot always" was the quick, almost
defiant reponse; and then, suddenly
remembering herself. she stopped
short, hoping that he had drawn no
deductions from either her words or
her manner.
Horton saw that she was embar-
rassed, and although he was far from
divining the cause, at once changed
the subject.
How is young Gray this evening""
he asked. abruptly.
Much better" replied Helen, with
an inward sigh Of relief that the for
mer subject was not to be pursued,
and realizing dimly the consideration
shown her by this man who was one
OF natures gentlemen. He was about
during the day. His trial takes place
tomorrow, does it not?"
Yes, If he's well enough"
Helen, relieved though she was mat
the conversation had taken this new
turn. was really interested.
And his father, Colonel Gray" she
asked; what does he say about it?"
Horton hesitated, knowing full well
what the result would be, and yet
hating to confess it to this companion
OF the gentler sex. At last he spoke,
and spoke frankly:
Miss Dare, Colonel Gray is SOL
dier. and If it's the sentence Of the
court martial he will see his son led
to execution. without a word"
Helen shivered. This was a devo-
tion to duty which she could not un-
derstand in the least What woman
could?
Does he not feel?" she asked,
breathlessly, decidedly revolted.-
Soldiers are not supposed to feel"
responded Horton, emphatically. He