Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-07-14


warning Of the approach of strangers
Evidently Mr.. Discoe did not mean to
neglect any precaution.
he speedily returned to where I sat
in the chair smoking. He remained
standing, halting directly in front Of
me.
Ibid you bring the money with your"
Didn't say would? Isn't that an
swer enough?"
II won't believe it till see it."
It was clear that Discoe was in one Of
bis ugliest moods. He had not forgiven
me for deferring this payment until the
present. I had bluffed him at Engle-
wood, and it ranked in his memory. It
was natural that he should not expect to
meet me here at night; that had done
80 was proof was scared into the step.
It would be strange if came that far
with $4,000, but still stranger that,
knowing his desperate character, I should
have ventured to make the journey
without the money. He was not the
man to stand trifling.
studied the scoundrel. His face had
look so malevolent that was con-
yinced he meant to assault me after
should turn over the money. He seemed
| to hold an inextinguishable hatred Of
me.
"Come into the house."
The command could not have been
gruffer had it been addressed to Steph.
1t angered me; but, secure in my posi-
tion, l rose, and, carrying the chair in
one hand, went inside and sat down by
the table.
he took his position on the other side,
with the bright lamp between us.
"Now let me see that money"
Withdrew the large pocketbook from
under my arm, opened and held it up 80
that he could observe the crisp 81, 90
bills.
"Do you note them? One, two, three,
four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten
an even $40, 000," said, sliding them
one after the other between my thumb
and forefnger, 80 that all passed in re-.
view before him.
His evil eyes took OH new glitter.
"Are you satisfied" l asked, button.
ing my coat, showing my hands into my
D ckets and leaning back, with my legs
crossed.
"They seem to be all right, but AIM
sure"
"They came out of the bank this fore.
noon. If you have any doubt about
them, why, Of course you don't wish to
receive the bills. "
II didn't say that. Pass 'em over,
and I'll soon let you know"
"There is no hurry. Steph's folks
won't be back from the circus for sew.
eral hours. Besides, the understanding
was that Jake Huke was to meet ME
here. Why is he not present."
"He's as good as here. He's within
call"
So, in addition to the negro, one OF
the criminals was on guard.
"Hadn t you better call him? I should
like to have witness when pay over
this money to you. y
The hideous scowl on the face Of Tom
Discoe showed for the first time a suspi-
cion of treachery on his part. He halt
rose to his feet, as if about to leap over
the table at my throat.
whats the matter?" coolly asked.
"By --, if you try that, your life
won't be worth a minutes purchase
No man can come to this house without
my receiving warning, and at the first
signal from Jake or the darky-puffl
That's the end of you"
my dear fellow, you are too suspi.
cious. I could have arranged a plot
against you, but it wasn't necessary.
Wasn't safe, you mean. You know
Tom Discoe too we'll to try that. AS it
is, I've all account to settle with you. "
81 mean what said. Had thought
it necessary, I would have had several
United States officers Oh hand, but can
manage you alone. -
This threat was thrown away. He had
no idea of my meaning, for the idea OF
my threatening him was too preposter-
Gus to be believed. Thomas, it is un-
derstood that this is all the money am
to pay you; that have as yet given you
nothing but promises
"There, there. none Of that Don't
thrash that over again. All you have to
DO is to hand that money to me and get
out-after I'm through with you," he
added with horrible significance.
Suppose have changed my mind. "
"What are you trying to get at?"
Suppose have changed my mind
end concluded to keep my money and
have nothing to do with you two infer
nal scamps."
"Be careful. don't allow such jokes
az that.
II am not joking. never was more
in earnest in my life. consider you
and Huke two of the most contemplate
sneaks and villains in the country.
There are hundreds in the penitentiary
better than you. You are such a coward
} that you pretend you do not understand
me, when can't make my language
any palmer. Now, I am not going to let
you have a penny. When leave here, ]
shall take every dollar I brought with
me. Have you enough brains in your
thick skull to understand that?"
With the last words rose to my feet,
, kicked the chair from behind me, and,
with my arms at my side, confronted
the ruffian.
Something like a smile scanned his
evil countenance as he, too, arose. He
must have been struck with the grim
absurdity of the whole thing l was
actually defying him-Tom Discoe, the
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