Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-11-12
The Sturw Teller,
THELOST /. O. u.

THE LOST ]. ~. "
Some men seem to take naturally to what,
aver promises to he unfortunate to them,
ard il must have been in blind Obedience
to this law that Charles Day Inslste1 on re-
garding Jonas Terry as his friend, Ihere
was nothing in common between tne men
but love for Josie Merritt, ana sucn a CIT
cumstance is not usually conducive to TREND
ly feeling.
Charles had wavy brown hair, a pleasant
Eace and a fine tenor voice. Jonas kept his
hair cut after some penitentiary fashion, his
features were thick and commonplace ana
he had a short, stumpy figure. Their men
tai differences were quite as great: t'harles
was rapid and bright, Jonas slow and secre,
tive: Charles was also affectionate and
pr,nligal, Jonas saving and prudent, anu IN
clined to make merit of always looking
out for himself. Both were young men OF
scme fortune and position, but Jonas alone
was in business. Charles lived upon tne
rents of his property, and devoted ms tlme
to the ladies in general, and to Josie Merritt
in particular.
the library of Charles fine house. Ihey
had been discussing some summer pla"s'
and Charles said: -,
"Ieave off grinding at that money mill
of vours. Jonas, and come with me; we
shall have a pleasant months cruise"
II cannot possibly do it. TO tell the
truth. I am ina very tight place, and it is
bad time for raising money"
"How much do you Want?"
"About twelve thousand"
"Will ten thousand do?"
eyes: ten would put me out of straits.
In fact, ten thousand. now might ne worth
fifty thousand to me-"
Charles walked to his secretary, and un-
tockingit, counted out the amount IN pllls,
and handed them to his friend, saying:
"Just give me your L. -. :, Jonas, lor
two months after date. Will that be long
enough?" 80,
"Why, YES, / do, old fellow, it is not
much of a kindness, after all. You see,
Merritt pail me my quarters rents to-day,
and shall be sure to spend all before, the
quarter is over if keep the money where
ican get at it. In two months shall he out
of funds anil in the height Of the season;
It is plan of mine to secure ten thousand
for clearing up in September"
"Thank you, Charles. 1 will accept the
loan with pleasure, and if you should need
it before, why just drop me line. shall
be out of trouble long before September"
Theyoung man then drew pen ana some
paper toward him, wrote out the L. y. l.,
and handed it to his friend, observing as ne
did so, "Allow me to say, Charles, that it is
foolish to keep so much money here. Tut
it with your banker"
"Certainly. Merritt paid me this after
noon. 1t was so hot when he left thought
would not 60 downtown until the morn
ing. There is no danger. Nobody but you
and Merritt and myself knows anything
about it,"
Then he lifted the 1. O. u, glanced at it,
and rose to put it in his secretary; but as ne
was crossing the room Jonas said, 81 heard
to-day that Josie Merritt is to marry Lieu
tenant Price"
In an instant the young mans thoughts
were diverted from his money affairs. He
was much excited at the information, re-
fused to believe it, and went over and over,
with passionate earnestness, his reasons
for being certain that such thing could not
be.
"Why," ne kept repeating. II have
known her ever since she was little bit OF
a girl. Icarried her books to school; went
with her to the dancing class her father
has been my lawyeranu my adviser; l have
been as much at home in Merritt's house as
in my own. Pooh! the thing is isimpossihle:
Josie never would treat ME like that. |
won't believe it,"
$50 and ask her a straightforward ques-
tion."
sIcan't. It's too late tonight, and leave
by the noon train tomorrow. L intended
to have that matter fully understood this
summer, but was in no hurry. a love af-
fair is all spoiled when papa and mamma
and the lawyer and the world come into 1T.
1 have told Josie that, and she and under
stand one another. Will you be calling
there soon, Jonas?"
81 will try, if you wish it,"
"They leave town in few days, but call
before, if you can, and send me word if you
see anything Of the lieutenant"
81 will. LCck up your secretary, Charles
1 see it is still open. l am very much
obliged-very much"
call right. You are very welcome.
am Just putting ten thousand safely away
for when l need it,"
Charles was much annoyed at what he
had heard, but he did not forget his secre
tary. 1t had secret drawer, and was Ca
nable of being fastened by three intricate
locks. lie carefully secured all three, and
then sat down to smoke and think over
again the absurdity of Josie caring for any
one but himself. In half an hour he was
satisfied that the thing was impossible, and
he rose rather wearily, determined to SLEEP
upon his faith in her love.
AS he passed the table he saw piece O
paper that attracted him; it was Jonas
o. L. He had forgotten to put it away
and it was too much trouble to unlock the
secretary again. He hesitated moment
where to secure it, but almost instantly Sc
lected a place he considered singularly safe
deposited it there and then went to bed anC
to sleep. .
The next day he went to Newport, anc
there waited patiently for the advent of the
Merritts. Before he got any letter from
Jonas, Josie herself had satisfied him
They had charming stroll together, II
Charles in what he considered a very happy
and enviable position.
Nothing marred the heaven OF their mex
two months. At the end of that time the
reckless lover began to be in need of funds
and as he had heard nothing from Jonas
he determined to 60 to New York and col
lect his l. o. I. He had not care on nj:
heart about it until he had searched nj:
secretary again and again and failed to fine