Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-10-08
CHAPTER *.
A Peculiar Coward.
evening, Dorothy"

hammock where she had been lying
gloomily contemplating the roof OF the
piazza, trying to be unhappy and YET
hopefully endeavoring to persuade
herself that the present estrangemen'
between herself and her lover would
not result seriously. She had had
many a quarrel with Charlie before
this, and Charlie had always returned
She peered through the gathering
darkness, and saw it was Colonel Gray
who had addressed her. She ran to-
ward him with a glad cry Of welcome,
and held up her face for the accus-
toned kiss.
Colonel Gray bent over and swept
her cheek with his moustache, but the
caress lacked its old-time warmth.
The colonel seemed to have grown
old during the last week. and even in
the twilight Dorothy noticed with
pain there were lines in his face that
had not been there before.
She linked her arm in his and drew
him into the hail. where the lamps had
already been lighted.
Where's Florence?" asked the colo
mel, seeing that there was no one
there.
In her own room. Sidney's fixing
her medicine She never slept all
night"
Poor grill"
Dorothy looked up into his face, and
what she read there touched her deep
ly.
You don't look as If you'd slept,
either" she ventured, little timidly.
Your poor old heart aches, know 1t
does"
There! hush, little major!" said
the colonel, peremptorily, but not un-
kindly. Florence sent word she want
ed to see me-"
And we all wanted to see you.
This is the first time you've been in
the house since"
The colonel made a quick gesture to
silence her, and this time there was
some little anger displayed.
There, there, never mind; I'm here
now. Do you know what she wants.
mo, not exactly" replied Dorothy,
hesitatingly. but I think it's some
thing about poor Wallace"
The coloners brow contracted in a
dark, forbidding frown.
Then I can't see her." he said,
shortly.
He made a step or two as If to leave
the room, but just at that moment
Swiftwind entered from the laboratory.
Colonel" he said, respectfully, may
l have a word with you?"
The colonel hesitated an instant
and then answered abruptly:
Yes. Dorothy, go and tell Florence
can't see her."
Dorothy pouted.
You don't act like uncle at all to-
night" she said, reproachfully, and
don't like it a bit"
The colonel made no reply, and the
little major went slowly and sorrow
fully up stairs to fulfill his bidding.
well, john" said Colonel Gray,
turning to Swiftwind; II think l know
what you want to say"
Are you sure, colonel?" was the
quiet response.
Your term Of enlistment expired
last night at IL o'clock, and you wish
= to remind me of it."
You are wrong, colonel. The fact
is had not thought Of it. But since
1t is so, and l am free man, l shall
90 ha
me before re-enlisting and speak to
YOU with greater freedom than could
otherwise have done"
Then you don't intend to leave us?'
mo. colonel" speaking with SIM
pie dignity that was very impressive.
"A soldier you have made OF me, and
a soldier 1 will remain"
This was a man after the coloners
own heart. He had always liked the
Indian, and he liked him better than
ever now.
Give me your hand" he exclaimed,
cordially.
The white and the red hands met
in a warm grasp of understanding and
friendship.
Now" said the colonel, seating
himself near the table, what is it,"
1t was a difficult task Swiftwind
had before him and he fully apprecia-
ted it, but he had made up his mind
beforehand just about what he was
going to say.
81 have been making a study OF the
wound received by your-the prison.
err"
The coloners face became hard as
iron, but it was his duty to listen 10
the doctors report of all under his
charge.
1T was not very severe, l believe
he said, coldly.
1T is healing slowly. but it presents
some peculiarities."
"WeI?"
II think it has affected the spine"
All" calculated the colonel, with
the utmost outward Indifference.
Swiftwind fixed his eyes upon him.
but even his keen perception was at a
loss to discover just what was passing
in the old mans mind. He hoped for
the best. yet feared the worst. But
still he went on. following the lines he
had laid out for himself
You spoke to me some time ago oi
a similar wound received by yourself.
Yes, some years ago." replied the
colonel, each word falling deliberately
from his lips, as his mind reverted tC
the past "A mere scratch, that heal
ed in a few weeks"
1T has given you no trouble since?
asked Swiftwind, and the tone ir
which the question was asked showed
how eagerly the answer was awaited.
Il rarely think Of It," replied the
colonel, a faint shade Of annoyance
passing over his face, "and in fact
John, have no desire to recall 1t"
81 am sorry" replied Swiftwind, and
the words were far from expressing