The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
CHAPTER XIII.
GILES BRocKLEs BOLD HAND.

CHAPTER NIII.
GILES BRocKLE's BOLD HAND.
Giles Brockle's conscience, dull as Il
was, accused him as time passed. Once
he started upon behclding man on Sat.
turday who resembled Algernon Somers
The mans head was bandaged with {
dirty rag; his clothing was coarse, too
Now that Giles looked at him as he beni
over another man, he did not bear much
if ony resemblance to Somers, who was
he hoped, in the bottom of the river.
Still the thoughts the chance resem.
blance aroused made Giles feel uncom.
Portable. If Somers wero as completely
completely out Of the way as Rutledgt
Gow. It was some satisfaction to know
that John -Watrous. the preacher. and tht
man VINO Drew up the wlii we're out OF tho
way.
Before nightfall it was discomforting to
learn that Squire Jepson was alive-all
the Jepsons had escaped. Giles hatet
the family. He cursed them one and all.
The Squire knew too much about him
besides, lie was in his uncle's confidence
1t was certain that Squire Jepson knew
the contents of the will. Giles was be.
side himself with rage wh<n he fell asleeE
Saturday night.
But he resolved to test the matter to-.
morrow. Hn would compel the Squire t.
reveal all he knew. He could eIasperatt
Jepso2. ind he woull. That was hii
strongest weapoD--his reputed " Veaknest
he, tho man who did not stop at mu-
der!
playing = deep game" Giles asked him.
self, as lie fell asleep.
Sunday morning found him still firm
put himself in Broadhurst's and Jepson'i
way.
Jepson's name: was unchanged. Broad.
bursts, on the contrary, was altogether
unlike his usual manner. He neithel
spoke to nor looked at Tom Peters heir.
In the arrangement of certain affairs in
which, had he been there, Tom Peters
wishes would have been consulted,
Broadhurst ignored Giles SO pointedly
that the latter was stung.
Don't you think, MIR. Broadhurst, you
ought to consult some of the men who
have had business relations with Mr.,
Peters before you do that? Mr.. Peters
has some rights; his property is al
stake"
Enoch Broadhurst deliberately turned
his OK upon Giles Brockle, and con-
tinued planning as though no one had
spoken. Giles turned to Squire Jepson
Mr.. Broadhurst is taking good deal
on himself, for one man. want him 10
knew that my uncle's rights will be main-
tanned"
Are you sure you are able to speak fol
your uncle, Giles?' Jepson asked, coldly.
Il will speak for myself. If my uncle
dies, this is my property. am protecting
myself"
"Ah!"
You needn't say 'Ahr Jepson. warn
you, now, not to carry your plan out. If
you do, I'll prosecute you. Ion pretend
vou have to knock this wall down to save
the houses below it. I don't see The ne
cessity. You shan't do it, either"
Broadhurst at that instant. headed the
men who, provided with great beam,
we're bent upon pushing the wall over.
DO you deny my right, Mr.. Jepsoni
I want to know"
Il do. You are no more concerned in
this matter than the verieBt stranger to
Tom Peters"
How do you know thatf"
Pooh! Find out.
That was all Squire Jepson vouchsafed
as he strobe away, casting contemptu,
Gus glance upon Giles.
He does know" Giles said to himself.
He'll rue it. I'll make him eat his words
Curse MIN, III get even with him before
I'm q week older. If he saw thousand
wills there is but one copy, and that is
where no human eyes will ever see 1t now.
The we'll must be full of earth"
BY this time nearly every one knew
that Giles Brockle was asserting his
rights as Tom Peters heir. He was re-
garded by some with curiosity, by others
with contempt, and some expressed hatred
of him. No other man in all that num-
ber was thinking, much less talking, OF
property; they we're thinking of their
dead. The manner of this heir to vast
estate WAS so unlike that of all other
people that lie attracted attention.
This was what he sought. The sooner
his claims we're acknowledged the better.
Solely as q matter of policy he could
afford to be odious for brief period
the world was easily fooled He could
find ways to wrap all these people around
his fingers by and by. .
Monday he would show Broadhurst and
Jepson something. There were valuable
goods in building that withstood the
force of the waters. Lawyer Rutledge
had an Office in that same building which
was one of the best his uncle had erected
in the city 1t was considerable dis.
tance from rne ntlle mouse rne lawyer
made his home. and in which his clients
found him the greater part of his time.
Giles resolved to hire men on the NOR
row and have them remove all those
good to place of safety. He would
superintend the work himself. Then he
would see what Broadhurst and Jepson,
or any other person would say or do.
That would put them to their stumps," !"
he said to himself.
Bright and early Monday morning he
was in quest of men to help him. He
experienced great difficulty, until he dis
played some money. Then some foreign
ors, anxious to make money, undertook
the task.
1t was necessary for the workmen to re-
move mass of debris that had lodged
against one end of the building, 80 that
the goods in ORG of the rooms could
more easily Ia .aken out on that side.
The greter portion Of the goods were
removed and placed in another building,