Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-10-18
CHAPTER XIII.
An Astonishing Theory.

When Swiftwind reached the colo
ners quarters. he found the command
er dressed ready for the march before
him, looking over packet of papers
which lay on the table at which he was
sitting. -
At the entrance of the Indian, Col
onel Gray looked up. surprised to see
him there.
You received your orders. John?'
he asked.
Swiftwind hesitated a moment. He
had an exceedingly unpleasant and
difficult task before him, and he
scarcely knew how to begin It,
1.-The fact is colonel" he said at last,
'in my anxiety to see you, neglected
to report"
At this the colonel was more and
more astonished. 1t was so entirely
unlike Swiftwind, who had been q
model in the performance Of his duties.
from beginning to end.
"Neglecting your duties as a soldier
at this late day. John!" he exclaimed,
sternly.
Not a muscle moved in Swiftwind's
stolid face. There was no more change
Of expression than there would have
been in a mask. But his answer was
Immediate and to the point.
Colonel, your words remind me that
at the present time am not soldier"
"Then your new papers are still un-
signed" remarked the colonel, half
questioningly, wondering at the same
time what this might be prelude to-.
Then he put a direct question: "1s 1t
your intention to take advantage OF
your liberty in this present emergen-
cy?"
There was an innuendo in the words
which pierced Swiftwind's armor and
stung him to the quick. The very
suspicion Of anything like cowardice
was unbearable to him. He drew him
self up to his full height, and answered
proudly:
| by no means, sir! The blue coat
is still on my back, and, while 1 wear
lit, l am at your command"
VERY good, sir" said Colonel Gray,
shortly "The chief surgeon will re-
main behind with his wife. You will
take his place"
AS he spoke, he rose, as II to signify
that the interview was at an end.
But Swiftwind advanced toward him
step or two with slight gesture
that had in 1t a suggestion Of appeal.
Pardon me, colonel There is some
thing I wish to say to you"
well, sir?"
You will listen to me?"
IF you will be quick about It."
II will, and to the point. Colonel
Gray, 1 knew your son at Harvard, and
we were close friends for over two
years"
The colonel started, and his hand
some old face grew hard as iron. He
had determined to put the child who
had disgraced him out Of his heart,
out of his mind forever, and this re-
currence to the scandalous affair was
labhorrent to him in the extreme.
This subject again!" he exclaim-
ed, angrily. making movement to-
ward the door.
You promised to listen. sir" ejacu-
lated Swiftwind quickly.
The colonel paused and half turned
He had never been known to break his
word
The Indian. seeing his advantage
went on rapidly:
II feel that in this am doing duty
to q friend, and that in refusing to lis
ten to me- you are doing yourself an
injustice and your son Wallace great
wrong"
The coloners face was almost as
white as his moustache as he said
hoarsely and peremptorily:
John Swiftwind, 1 warn you not to
pursue this subject any further, or
shall order you under arrest"
But Swftwind was determined to dc
what he considered to be duty he
lowed both to friendship and the right
and threats were powerless to STOP
him.
THAT you may do, colonel, but