Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-10-18
CHAPTER XII-Continued.

Smiling quietly to himself he re-
sumed his knife and fork.
That's settled" he said in tone OF
placid satisfaction. Now hurry up
with the knapsack."
Dorothy turned upon him, her face
more scarlet than ever, but 1t was Tor
a far different reason.
Charlie Sherwood" she cried, In
furious indignation, SIS that the way
you propose to q lady?'
It's my way, and 1t goes" was the
calm response. He did not even look
at her, but went on deliberately finish
ing his breakfast.
DO you think 1t nice to drag a girl
In YOUR lap like that?" she demanded.
Then he did look up at her and smil-
ed. a smile which did much to disarm
her.
Very nice; don't you?"
Dorothy pouted little and then an
swered dubiously.
"Ye-es. but you. didn't give me
chance"
Chance for what?"
ITO say no."
Did you want to say no?".
'weI, no-o," laughing in spite OF
herself.
Then what's the use in wasting
time?" asked Charlie philosophically.
81 think you're the sweetest girl that
ever breathed, and you think I'm the
only man on earth. So there you are"
Dorothy did not know whether to be
pleased at this or not.
"Humph!" she said. you've a very
good opinion OF yourself"
i've a better one of you"
This was not so bad, but still some
how she was not satisfied.
rs that all Of it?" she asked. tenta-
lively
"All OF what?"
1.-The proposal"
I'VE understand each other. Isn't
that enough?"
At this cold d-blooded way Of putting
things. the little majors lips began to
tremble and the tears started to her
eyes.
I've read just bushels Of proposals"
she said, half crying. "and not one Of
them ended like this"
At this Charles conscience snote
him and he made up his mind that he
had gone far enough. 1t was rather
hard on the dear little girl.
He rose and went toward her. TAX
ing her in his arms. he kissed her full
OF the lips.
Entirely placated, her arms went up
at once about his neck.
"Oh, Charlie" she murmured with a
little sigh of satisfaction, Il think
you're so nice!"
BLESS your little heart!" And there
was nothing to complain of now.
There was no lack Of tenderness in
either his voice or his manner.
Now listen, Dorothy dear. We are
going to try and force our way north,
and join Crook on the Rosebud; 1t Is
going to be desperate work, and some
of us may never come back, but when
the bugle sounds the charge and the
bullets whistle through the air, will
think Of the sweet eyes and the pref
ty face of my little major waiting for
me here at the post Death won't come
to shut out such picture, and I'll
come back to you, sweetheart. I'll
promise you"
II know you will, Charlie"
The dear little major, affected al
most to tears, drew his head down and
gave him, unsolicited. the first kiss she
had ever given to one of the opposite
sex.
In that one instant there were prob
ably no two people on earth happier
than they, but their rapture was rude
ly broken in upon.
The door Of the kitchen stood just a
little ajar and through the opening
came the sound of a voice, exclaiming
stridently:
Come on! What are you hanging
back for?"
The lovers started apart, rather
shamefaced both Of them. although no
eve as yet was upon them.
That's Higgs voice" cried Doro-
thy.
Charlie squared his shoulders in
an aggressive manner. Even now the
name of Higgs acted upon him much
as a red rag does upon a bull
"Oh, just leave Higgs to me-"
You won't quarrel" pleaded Doro-
thy and yet with a little smile which
showed her confidence in her lovers
prowess.
Charlie hesitated a moment, and
then answered slowly:
We'll, no. can afford to forgive
him now. You'll be at the parade
ground when we start?"
Would she? Well, there was nothing
that she could imagine which would
keep her away. And this she said,
without affectation and without any
fear Of being misunderstood. conclud-
ing:
"Oh, Charlie. this is more like what
read about"
rs 1t. sweetheart?" he said gently
and lovingly. We'll, there's no new
way to tell the old story"
And again his budding moustache
swept her fair cheek just before their
lips met.
Come on. What are you hanging
back for?" again came Higgs voice
upon their ears with an unpleasant
sensation.
Dorothy. with a last injunction not
to do anything rash, tore herself away
from her betrothed and left him alone.
Somehow. after the great happiness
that had come to her, she longed to be
alone to think it all over by herself
Charlie, after one look which show
ed all that he felt for her, stole toward
the open door. He had not even the
faintest qualm of conscience at listen
ing to the two who were outside, and
his mercurial temperament was al
ready urging him on to mischief.
The 6rct words that Saluted his ear