Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-08-02

day than l was. l did not know enough
to keep a set of books, while I had a
certain prejudice against dealing faro,
and so I wasn't in it to any extent
Having at the same time robust appe-
tite, it became embarrassing. tried a
little Of everything, even down to tax
ing job as cook in a railroad camp,
where the miserable navvies came near
lynching me for the cruel messes I served
them
"You cookedr" the girl calculated in
sharp staccato, as 1t seemed, more
startled at this idea than by any sug-
gestion Of moral delinquencies.
Excuse me, Miss Ellery, did not
say so," he replied, with grim amuse-
ment. II tried to cook upon one unhap-
py occasion, driven by force Of circum-
stances over which I appeared to have
no control. IF remember Alright, I had
not had square meal for a week when
/ was reduced to that desperate expe-
dient. I told you, you know, that the
swine had not always behaved accord
ing to the Biblical precedent.
"O-h!" she exclaimed, with long,
gasping breath, unconsciously wringing
her hands "How you must have suf-
feredr'
II was rather uncomfortable at times,
yes" he dryly agreed. "But finally I
drifted out Oh roundup with cattle
outfit, when it developed that I had
something of a knaok for handling
horses. got a position as line rider,
which gave me opportunity to get onto
some of the peculiarties Of these west
ern bronchos, and 30 in course Of time
was evolved Paul Brown, horse break
er."
"And that is all?" she murmured,
with long breath, perhaps with more
kindness than she knew in the depths
Of her brown eyes.
THAT is all. Merely the. story Of a
wasted life.
"But surely it has not all been vast
ed?"
II don't know what part can be fair
ly excented. Certainly as preparation
for bro..cho breaking the first 90 years
went for nothing, while, looked at from
the standpoint Of the old days. the last
ten years have been utterly thrown
away"
"But I am sure that even as horse
breaker you must do your work better,
because you are a gentleman, she urg-
ed warmly, "while you cannot regard
yourself as any less gentleman because
you happen to be now horse breaker. "
'Oh, don't be too kind to me-" he
murmured unsteadily, turning his face
away. 81 warn you it is dangerous. l
shall be forgetting the terms of our com.
pact and saying something which you
will regard as complimentary"
II cannot stay to listen if you should, "
she exclaimed, rising hurriedly. 81
must be going now. They will be Won
dering what has become Of me. "
Wont you let me thank you frst?'
rising also and coming close beside her.
1T was so kind of you to stay and lis
ten. / don't think you can quite realize
what it is to me after al these ye;us
be talking to woman like you OH thr
footing of friend. And whatyo have
just said-ah, how good it was of yor
TO say tit has almost restored lIy
faith in myself. 1t has made me feel
that the game may be worth tho candle,
after all"
"Ah, why should you doubt it," Her
color was rising, but her eyes were elo'
quent of kindness still. "Your luck has
turned. Nobody knows what successes
may be yours. For my part, I have no
doubt but you will be one of Wyoming's
cattle kings yet" She laughed rather
constrainedly under the steady fire of
his eyes "All things come to him who
waits.
MAY I believe that really, do you
Think" An odd light was in his eyes
as he came step nearer.
"Oh, within certain limitations l
should say it would be perfectly SAFE
But now really must be going"
"And may I walk back with your
"Oh, as to that she returned, fall
tering confusedly.
"You prefer that I should not. All,
Miss Ellery, the horse breaker is rather
more in evidence than the gentleman,
after all. "
"But I did not say
"No, you did not, but I understand
Just the same But don't let it trouble
you; don It complain. Indeed how could
I complain Of anything so long as re-
member this hour? 1t is all right-only,
will you shake hands with me, as a
friend, before you 60? You might do az
much as that for any chance acquaint-
anoe you met in the street, you know. 4"
Edith hesitated, blushing family,
biting her under lip nervously. "Why,
certainly, if you WISH" she said after
an instant, holding out her small, bare
hand to him GOOD afternoon, Mr..
Brown" "
Paul Brown made no response IN
words as be grasped the kindly hand in
close, clinging pressure, only as he
looked down at her his eyes spoke in
sudden, tumultuous message such as no
woman's heart could ever fail to under
stand-mad, voiceless appeal which
filled the girl with confused terror.
Snatching her hand from his OBTAINING
grasp, with little inarticulate eXcla-
nation, she almost ran from him down
the steep trail into the shadow Of the