Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-29
The Men in Scarlet :
By ETA w. PIERCE


hands. A jewel cleaned in the buck
les of their scarlet shoes. Each car
ried his cooked hat, Of scarlet also, be-
meath his arm.
i Good evening, stranger" they said,
speaking together, as they approached
the fire, and addressing Kendall.
Good evening"" answered Kendall.
gruffiy, wondering from what division
of Howe's army these two red coats
had come.
AS they crossed the hearth, each, in
turn, stumbled over the knapsack of
money. Kendall put out a hand and
drew it up to his own corner.
Gentlemen" said the old innkeeper,
not little fiurried by the courtly ap-
pearance of his guests, this is a rough
might for travelling! Ye have horses
outside, I dare say. I'll call up the
groom
by no means!" answered one OF the
scarlet men; I'VE came on foot. Sup
per at once, sirrah, and the best that
the house affords!"
| He tossed, with the air Of a prince,
two golden sovereigns into the hand OF
the innkeeper. who fled instantly to the
kitchen and turned it into dire confu-
sion. In the midst Of the preparations,
who should rush to him but Molly
breathless and pale.
Father, who are these men"
"Tut, girl! Red coats of rank, most
likely. I didn't ask and they didn't
tell"
Father, what can British officers be
after here? Don't let them stay here
tonight-don't, father! They are talk
ing to Dave Kendall; go and call him
laway-they mean him harm!"
To meddle with men who could pay
two sovereigns simply to hurry up
supper was not in the innkeeper's line.
Consequently Molly was bade to hold
her tongue for a silly jade, and not be
looking after Dave Kendall. but to take
the chicken from the pot and carry 1t
in to the table.
While obeyins this last behest, Mol
ly saw that the men were now sitting
| side by side, and talking like old
friends. The fire light shone on the
scarlet dress of the strangers and in
their pale, elegant faces. What ease,
what grace, what polished wit were
there. Dave Kendall sat betwixt the
two, charmed and bewildered; and the
fair, dainty face behind him went out
of the room. paler than ever.
Supper ready, the scarlet men drew
up third chair to the board. They
made their courtly bow to Kendall.
Honor us, we pray you," said they,
"by sharing with US this humble cheer.
Nay, no excuses; we will not hear them.
1t is a dull night; We ask for company!
| With that Kendall moved up. The
meal that followed was wild and riot
GUS. The scarlet men ate little, but
they drank to excess. Kendall drank
also.
Huge junk bottles of brandy shiver-
ed against the wall as soon as drained,
and gallons of seething flip disappear
ed, as by magic, from the board. Then,
| of a sudden, the two scarlet men flung
up their glasses to the ceiling, and af-
ter them their voices, deadly sweet and
strong, in a wild, wassail chorus that
shook the bare rafters, and drowned
even the noise of wind and rain out
side.
| While this weird, wild music was
working like leaven in Dave KendalPs
brain, one Of the scarlet pair leaped
from his seat, and selling the pack of
cards from the mantel, dashed them
down on the board.
| "Comrades!" he cried, "let us play!"
The old innkeeper laid q hand on
| Dave Kendalrs shoulder. He was pale
and troubled.
Dave" he said, you're a misguided
lad, but an honest one still. This is
Sabbath night. Ye're drunk already.
Get up and get we to bed before worse
things befall ye."
Kendall shook off the reproving hand
with an oath and the scarlet men
laughed.
Gentlemen" said the innkeeper,
"this boy is only a poor soldier. He
has no money to stake. 1t i'll becomes
such as ye to stoop to the like Of him.
II The twain laughed again and up
roarously.
Bring hither the knapsack from the
corner of the hearth" quoth they;
bring hither the money for the pay
masters wife. Tut, tut, old man! this
lad must have his camel"
IF he dares to gamble here tonight
with other folks money" said the inn
keeper, "I'll kick him out of my doors!"
One of the scarlet men shuffled and
dealt the cards. They flung down on
the board a pile Of gold pieces. Ken
dali carried in a leather pouch at his
belt few sovereigns and handful OF
English shillings-his own money
He emptied these upon the table.
They began to play. For the first
few games Kendall won. The sight OF
the golden stakes, added to the repeat
ed draughts of raw brandy, completely
|, dissolved what little sense there was
left in the mans giddy brain. He
played madly, recklessly, and began to
lose.
, Again and again he lost, till the
stakes were all swept to the other side
of the board-till not a cent remained
to him to pay for the supper he had
: eaten, or the roof that was to cover
him. He looked at the faces of the mer
in scarlet. They were pale, smiling
| and alert. He looked at the old inn
| keeper. He had fallen in a stupid doZe
| by the chimney corner.
, Il must win back enough to pay fol
the nights lodging, at least" he said
| and snatched the knapsack from the
hearth. He thrust his hand within ant
threw down a handful of the money
uncounted, on the board.
"Bravo!" screamed the scarlet men
in chorus.
, Kendall played again and lost. Witt
: shrek Of rage he flung down a sec.
!, ond handful of the paymaster's money
IL. Al.