The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-10

seizing piece OF timber and pulling 1t
out bV main force. At another time he
would WELD an az and hew the great
beams and limbs of trees that formed
network in his path. He made great
headway.
As evening came on apace he grew
restive. The door vas barely in view.
He must have it uncovered. He resolved
to enter that night.
1t was impossible to effect an entrance
through the floor above the safe. 1t was
a mass of debris and earth. Otherwise
he would have got Mt the safe by cutting
hole over it in the floor.
He prevailed upon a number of the
workingmen to assist him after supper,
nv promising extraordinary waRes.
lie was not lntertereu With by Squire
Jepson or Enoch Broadhurst. Neither
approached him. Jerrold also avoided
him. He had 1t all his own way now.
The absence of these men emboldened
him. He obtained quantity of brandy,
and imbibed freely. He was in mood
to fight one or hundred when the work
men resumed their labor late in the even
ing.
Giles experienced considerable diff
Guilty in providing light. At last this
obstacle was surmounted, and he sat owe,
his workmen in the sickly glare of the
light, experimenting their movements.
The workmen suddenly encountered an
unexpected obstacle. 1t was a mass OF
iioE, seemingly. that was lying right op'
poslte the door he resolved TO enter that
night.
dig round It'll Pick it up. Don't
stand in each others road there like
fools!" Giles Brockle exclaimed, angrily.
The workmen explained that it was i'm
possible to lift it.
What is it? A beam of an iron bridge:
You are a pack of numb skulls. 1t might
be a rail. Uncover it. Let us sec what
it looks like"
At that instant some one touched Giles
shoulder.
He turned around angrily.
What do you want, Harkess?"
It was Si, who stood hat in hand, n
was his wont when addressing his 81
periors.
Use brought yo' a message, Mars
Brockle."
"Who from? Not from Jepson. Jepson
can 60 to the devil.
No, 'taint from Squire Jepson," said
81 Harkess, Strengthening himself sud
denly, and looking at Giles angrily.
Its from Broadhurst, then. He can
90 to the devil TOO they can both 60; you
tell them said 80, ST."
Il nebber carried bad answers in my
life-mos' too late to learn now, Mars
Brockle. You can spress yo'self fo' dem
two yo sent to de debbil.
who the devil sent you here then, YOU
stupid?"
Mars Rutledge."
"Rutledge!" Giles Brockles face
turned dsathly white. He stared at the
negro vacantly. then put hand to his
throat. He was CHOKING. lie could not
speak. He shook his head furiously,
sprang out of the hole in the debris he
was sitting in, and confronted Si Hark-
ess. When he was able to speak his eyes
famed.
Its trick, shallow trick! You lie!
Who tod You to come here with that
message2"
"Doan call me liar! 81 Harkess amt
no liar, Mars Brockle, an I won't low
you to talk dat way nohow."
who sent you to me?"
Il done tole you Mars Rutledge-Mars
James Rutledge, he say-dat's his name.
He brudder to de man dat's dead!"
"Pooh!" Giles recovered himself in an
instant. "Why didn't you say so at irst?'
lease you didn't give me time. Yo'
flew up an cali me liar"
What does he want? I'm busy now,
You see. Why didn't he come to see ge
himsei;:f
Amt dat what I gwine to tole 70.
n - 1,a - Grl =
Brockle, Mr.. Harkess, he said, Mr.
Harkess-'an' tell him I want to speak to
him bout specially important business,
n eff Mr.. Brock!e can't come to me-to de
Alma Hall-dat's whar he is now-'why,
den I'll 60 an see Mr.. Brockle.' OATS
de message. Doan see what 20 goin'
fyin' UP dot way at man for. Use no
mo- to say-goin'.'
And 81 strobe off in high dud ,eon.
"Wha. the devil does James Rutledge
want with me? Anyway, he'll come to
see me. I'm going to stay right here un-
til I get into that safe of Tom Peters.
Why don't you get that thing out of your
way, men?"
"Its not easy. Seems to be big piece
of iron or steel"
Its as like to be stone"
you can jump in here and feel it. Put
Your hand iu between these timbers and
you'll not say it's stone," said q work.
man, testify.
Giles jumped into the opening in the
debris. He thrust his hand down and
withdrew it with an oath.
1T is iron. Curse it all. Here, dig
around it. I'll double ycur pay. I must
get in there tonight. Work aheGd, men.
Pitch in lively now"
And once more Giles set them the sx.
ample.
fro BE Continued