Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-06-05
Copyright, 1898, by the Author.
CHAPTER XII

John was writing pretty regularly to
Adele, and the old woman had got used
to it. But a letter for "Mrs Sarah
Hallp' The incident was something Of
a shock and more Of puzzle
"Why, bless my soulr" she calculated,
putting on her spectacles and inspecting
the things exterior. IT haven't had
q letter sent to me In dogs age l
wonder who it can be from. A city let
ter tool Well, I didn't suppose there
was anybody here who cared to remem-
ber Sally Hall It might just as well
have come from Peking or Jerusalem,
only I suppose the postage would have
been more. It don't look good. Ialways
did hate that sort Of flimsy squash COL
ored envelope And If the writer is as
grabbed as his hand he must be eau
tion."
Deliberately she opened the envelope
with pair of scissors and drew out a
half sheet Of note paper, bearing in the
same grabbed chirography as the super
scription:
care you the widow Of Abner G.
Hall? IF you are, how much are you
willing to give for information that will
be of great value to you? Answer by a
Personal in The World tomorrow ad-
dressed to NJ"
ssOh, mother, it is from that man
McCafreyp' exclaimed Addie, who had
been leaning over her mothers shoulder
and reading with her.
"It seems to be. So that contemplate
tool of scoundrel has come out Of his
hiding place at last, and with demand
to be paid for information that his con-
science-f he'has any-must tell him
it was his duty to have given freely IS
years ago. Had he done SO your father
might be alive today and we in aff1u-
ence instead of in the gutter"
''Oh, mamma not quite so bad as
that
'sMetaphorically speaking, my child
How much will give? know what /
would like very much to give him.
''Why does he want you to advertise
in newspaper when it would be so
much simpler to give his address for
you to write to him direct?"
"Oh, no. The rascal is too smart for
that. His assassin instincts prompt him
to strike from the dark"
''What are you going to promise
him?"
care we in q condition to promise any
thing, my child? There is but one thing
I could promise him-a cleaner con-
science than he has had since his par
ticipation in that infamous transac-
tion.
IT hardly think, from what I have
heard you say of McCafrey, that he
would be likely to value that very high
ly as an inducement.
"Then we can do nothing-yes, we
can trust in Providence
''That is all very well, but I wish
Jack were here.
"Why? What could Jack do? He cam
not even find this wretch.
"I don't know what he could do, but
I am sure he could do something"
$50 you think. I don't wonder at it
It is natural for girls to imagine their
lovers can do anything. But I have
learned differently. Lovers can do no
more than other men, and generally
less. Still, don't deny that I would
like to have Mr.. Latham's advice if he
were here. When will he return?"
"He did not himself know when he
last wrote, but said he might start at
any minute. That was in the letter l
received the day before yesterday. I
ought to have another today"
"You had better send note, which
he will get Immediately upon his return,
saying that I would like to have him
call. Meanwhile I suppose we must put
an advertisement in the paper. Sit
down and write it as I tell you"
Addie procured writing materials and
seated herself at the table Mrs Hall
commenced debating:
"Mr. McCaffrey-Sir, do not wonder
that your conscience has eventually
prompted you to an endeavor to make
amends for the evil done long ago
through your connivance if not your acr
tual completely"
"Good gracious, mamma! Do you
know that they charge 30 cents line
for advertisements and only eight words
go into ine?'
Chow do you know all that?''
Found it out when I advertised for
art work
"You wrote that advertisement your
self, didn't your
eyes, mamma.
"Then write this one. But I don't
think they ought to charge anything in
case like this
''They will, though"
'"They didn't charge anything for
printing the most shameful lies about
your poor father.''
"Things which can only do harm to
anybody are news and 90 free. Things
which can possibly do anybody any good
are business and must be paid for. 1t is
very easily understood rule"
ST see. Go ahead and write the ad-
vertisement. But let me see it when it
is done"
After a little study, drafting and re-
writing Addie produced the following: