Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-10-01
CHAPTER VI-Continued.

tempt In his heart, Dut TOT the saho vi
others refusing to speak out, and
brand the man whom he now knew to
be neither more nor less than a GRIM
inal. =.
The others, Of course, knew nothing
OF the unspoken accusation, but still
there was a general feeling OF RELIEF
when Charlie Sherwood picked from
the floor a crumpled envelope.
"Hullo, what's this? A dispatch for
you, colsnel."
Florence was unable to repress
start and q shade Of alarm passed rap
idly over her fair, pallid face. No
one noticed this, however, save Swift
wind, who happened to be looking at
her. and to him, knowing as he did far
more In regard to certain matters than
any one else at the fort, except Flor
ence herself, It was an emotion that
spoke volumes.
For me?" said the colonel, holding
out his hand for the envelope.
Yes" spoke up Sherwood, who had
quite recovered his usual cold compo-
sure OF manner. "One Of Crooks
couriers brought 1t soon after your
departure"
why, it's been opened"
Florence came forward to his side
and said agitatedly:
1T may be that IL"
Excuse me, colonel" interrupted
Swiftwind, rapidly, divining much Of
what she must be suffering and deter
mined to shield her all he could; now
that I remember, I opened the dis
patch"
Colonel Gray looked up in some sur
prise.
you, John?"
"Yes, it was on the table where I
was examining some letters. I trust
there's no harm done, since don't
know its contents"
Certainly not" rejoined the colonel,
cordially, and he removed the dispatch
from the envelope. LOOK out for
- Hullo! The name is torn on.
Deserted in action. Orderly will fur
nish description. If captured, hold for
orders. Signed Crook But the piece
containing the name? John, look
among your letters"
Swiftwind gave rapid glance from
under his brows at the surgeons wife.
Florence was standing with eyes
downcast, but the Indian, early train
ed to observe the slightest signs, no.
ticed that the hands which hung at
her sides, were tightly clenched to-
gether.
Pm afraid it's lost, colonel"
"Confound it! That's unlucky. How
ever, I'll see the courier. He'll know
the name. BY the way speaking OF
deserters, has anything been seen OF
Jordan?. II catch the internal cow
ard, I'll make an example of him."
Colonel" said Swiftwind, speaking
very slowly and in a tone Of strong
conviction, there's something behind
this. I don't believe Ralph Jordan is
a coward"
Florence Sherwood raised her eyes
and turned a startled look upon the
Indian. What mystery was this? He
had declared that he had opened the
dispatch when she knew this to be i'm
possible, and now, in the face Of the
very strongest evidence. he was an
nouncing his belief in the culprits in
nocencS But that could not be. Wal
lace had himself confessed his guilt.
The blood rushed into the colo
nels face. OF all things on earth,
cowardice was the one thing he hated
most, and 1t revolted him to have
Swiftwind In a way constitute himself
the mans defender.
What" he cried. You don't think
a man who deserts under fire a cow
ard?"
Before Swiftwind could reply, DR..
Sherwood came forward with a scrap
of paper he had found beneath his
desk.
Here's the missing piece of the dis
patch, colonel"
Colonel Gray took the fragment and
read the name: Ralph Jordan.
by all that's holy!" he exclaimed,
bringing his hand down with a crash
upon the table near which he was
standing. Then. turning again to the
Indian he asked triumphantly: well,
Swiftwind. what have you to say
now?"
Nothing, colonel" was the quiet,
dignlfied response.
There was nothing else to be said
The time had not come for him to pro-
mulgate his theory.
"The miserable wretch" burst out
the colonel again. ITO dare to come
here and corrupt my men by his cow
ardly example. I'll have him court
martlaled! I'll have him shot,"
Florence caught him frantically by
the arm.
mo, no, uncle!" she cried, in agon-
lied appeal.
II was an appeal, however, which
aroused no suspicious. 1t seemed to
all those, save one, who heard her, to
be the protest Of tender sympathetic
woman against bloodshed.
But the colonel was not to be NOV
ed.
"Ay!" he declared, sturdily, "even II
he were my own son!"
He little thought how soon his words
were to be put to the test. But he was
soon to be enlightened.
The door Of the store room slowly
opened, and the man in question ap-
peared. He came forward with halt
ing step, his face ashen white.
II am the man, SIR
Florence uttered a shrek and cover
ed her face with her hands. while the
others turned toward the newcomer ir
un5ounded amazement.
"Eh? What?" stammered the COL
onel, in a startled way.
Il am the deserter, Ralph Jordan,
went on the young man, in low, bu
calm and measured tones. Trial is 6
waste OF time. Let me be shot a
once"