Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-06-12
THE FITTEST SURVIVES.
BY j. H. CONNELLY.
Copyright, 1895, by the Author.
CHAPTER XVI

Copyright, 1880, Dy tne AuInoi'
CHAPTER XVI
At the very time Of the perpetration
Of that unprecedented but none the
less unquestionable murder, and hardly
more than a couple Of blocks away from
where it was being done. a vigil of eager
expectancy was keeping for the coming
Of him who that night ceased to be as
man.
In meanly furnished front room oD
the third floor Of a big "cheap fiat, bar
racklike building, at opposite sides OF
a bare table, sat two men, one old, the
other middle age. The elder seemed to
have full 20 years to his discredit, and
his age became him not well His
scanty hair was gray and unkempt A
pair Of thin, leathery, red ears, with
great punches of bristles in them, stood
ont like loosely hinged flaps from the
sides Of his long, narrow head Imbed-
ded among wrinkles, under overhang-
ing, grizzled brows, CLEANED small eyes
that despite their age were still keen
and almost fierce with an expression Of
selfish cunning and suspicion. His nose
was fattened at the bridge, but its sharp
point stood up so abruptly as to fully
expose his large nostrih, which marked
the outline of triangle from its tip to
the ends Of his wide, thin Tipped mouth
The younger man was stolid look
ing brute. still in the prime Of animal
life and worthy Of no special regard A
listener would readily have gathered
from the conversation between them
that the latter was the old mans SON.
in-law, and that his wife, Mary, had
died during her fathers long absence in
the far west. A rather good looking
buxom girl, Is or 16 years old, came
into the room and went out again, from
time to time, in the discharge Of her
household duties, apparently paying no
heed to the talk Of the men, but look
ing curiously now and then at the lit
tie clock on the mantel as If wondering
at the unusual prolongation Of their sit
ting.
$50, Dinnis," pursued the old man
argumentatively. "the best for youse
will be to take Kitty there an 80 back
with me as soon as this business is set
tied" b.. .- s.a.
ST dunno don't say won't If get
out of Job, but I'd be fule to 60
away now an the new alderman be-
howlden to me as he is Sure, I'm as
good as promised to be an inspector in
the public works"
ITO the devil with your alderman,
an your inspector, an your public
worksl Dye want to be all yer life q
bob on the tail Of somebody else's kite?
It's grand start, mind ye, that I'll be
able to give ye an a fine country yell
find it for man to roise up in Sure
there's nothin to stand in the way OF
your goin to congress from out there be-
fore you die, an q girl like Kitty
well, there's no KNOWN the wealth Of
the man she might marry out there" "
care you right sure you'll get the
money you're after9"
cam I sure it'll be warrum next
Fourth Of July?"
"M-maybe So But isn't it time he
was comin9"
"'Aith it is He knows better nor to
disappoint me. an he's likely to be here
now any minute. Well be maxim ready
for him. Stand that tin kettle here close
by my arrum, Kitty, dear, on this side.
Ye, Dinnis, go Until the back room an
keep there, without ye hear the kettle
fall on the fre. I'll push it off if he
goes to come round the table lords me,
an if you hear it fall come quick for the
love Of heaven, for it's meanin me no
good he'll be. Sure it's mighty little
I'd trust him. Ye'll let him in, Kitty,
an put the chair for him there, where
your father is sittin now. Oh, he'll be
comm an bringin the money sure
enough, but he'll be wantin me to give
him up the paper I howld, an I won't
do that. I'll howld it while I live, an
I'll Pave it to you, Kitty, dear, after I'm