The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-11-18

NAS
he resolved that he should be if posi-
BILE, and if meeting must take place
between the men he would manage to
be present to hold Scraggs in check.
Course Scraggs, anyhow" he mused.
''The old fool has got his head set
against me, and he won't hesitate to
take any step to thwart my schemes. I
wish he'd never got into the secret OF
nv intentions relative to Louise Green.
He threatened to blow on me once, and
it will be just like him to do it. But,
pshaw, what need fear from that!
Haven't I got Green's confidence. and
don't he take my word for everything?
I need fear nothing from Scraggs, for l
can easily disprove all he says. Still, if
Green can be kept away from him all
the better"
Then aloud Pearson said:
81 can see Scraggs for you, Mr.. Green,
as am going right up to his office, and
any message you wish to deliver to him
can deliver and save you the time and
trouble"
Thanks" said John, "but I think I
had better go myself. I owe it to
Scraggs after his offer"
very well then" replied Pearson,
seeing that it would be useless to object,
1--WE will 90 up together"
So the two men walked away IN the
direction of Scraggs' Office and in due
<N nd
away.
''He has gone out in the country" ="
Peerson remarked, glancing at card
that lay on the desk, and there IS no
telling when he will return. Probably
he will not be back before night. If
you wish, will deliver your message
to him, and you need not wait"
Then you may" said John, 'for l
am anxious to be at home with my
wife. You can tell him that have Sc
cured the money, and that will not be
in day after tomorrow. That IS all, l
believe. And now, thanking you sgain
for your assistance, will so, but first
beg you to come and see US at any time
you feel so disposed"
Thanks" replied Pearson; II shall
avail myself Of your kind invitation,
and before many days you viii see me
at your house. In return for your
goodness, Mr.. Green" Harry went on,
Il must beg you to remember what l
said awhile ago, and if it comes in my
way to serve you, only let me know.
Then with firm hand-pressurc John
tarne1 from the Office and rode away
toward his sod cabin on the prairie.
Harry Pearson, from his position by
the wi:dow, looked after him until he
disappeared from view. then slapping
himself on the thigh, exclaimed half
alopd:
The victory is won, and the game is
mine. I sworc to have Louise Green
for my own. and will. John Green is
in my power effcctually, for it was my
money taat ne got from Mills, and 1t is
that holds his note. Ec can never pay
the deGe. and within a month or so his
money will be gone, and then he
will be at my mercy. Mercy? Bah,
l don't know anything of such stuff.
What do l care for John Green's
sufferings, or what becomes OF that
sick wife of his? They might die
of starvation for all I care if there
was not another in the case. And
vet john Green imagines am a good
man and a benefactor. Poor fool. he
little dreams how dearly he will have to
paw for all the kindness I show him.
Louise is the price, and she shall be
mine. OF course I cannot marry her,
and would not if I could, but pretty
mistress is just as good, or better, for
then when I am tired OF her can soon
get her off my hands"
So pleased was he with the way
affairs were tending, that Harry Pear
son slapped himself again and indulged
in satisfied chuckle, after which he
went on:
Wonder how old Blatchford will feel
when ne discovers one Of these fine
mornings how well have served him?
Wonder what he will think when he
wakes up suddenly to find that I, his
trusted agent, have gone off with mis-
granddaughter and several thousands
of his money? 1t will break his heart
to lose the money, and it ought, but it
amt likely he will lose any sleep on
the girls account. He'd rather give up
every relative he has, than to part with
dollar. Such old cusses as he is need
to stand heavy loss to bring them to
their senses"
For long time Pearson remained at
the window musing over his scheme
and congratulating himself on the
hattering prospects of its successful
issue. 1t was deep-laid and we'll
matured plan for embezzling a large
amount of Blatchford's money, and,
with Louise for his mistress, fy TO a
| distant land, where he would live in
grandeur.
In the meantime Green was jogging
homeward, and he, too, was busy with
thoughts and musings. He had Sc,
cured little money, but it was not
sufficient to keep off hunger for any
great length of time, and he realized
that unless Mary began to recover soon
so that he could seek employment he
would in few weeks be without means
again, with nothing more to mortgage.
Musing thus, with many misgivings
and dark forebodings, John ct last came
face to face with q man in buggy. II
was Scraggs.
II am glad metyou, Green Scraggs
said. Il have been out in quest OF
some money, and luckily I was fortu
nate enough to get it. So, if you have
time to go back with me we can fix the
business up to-day"
II am ever so much obliged to you
Mr.. Scraggs," replied John. but have
secured a loan, through Pearson's as
sistance, from Mills. I came by your
Office to inform you. am sorry that
you have gone to so much trouble fol
nothing"
Il don't care for the trouble, Green,
said Scraggs, but I'm sorry you Dor.
rowed that money Of Mills" -