Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-02-17
CHAPTER Y.

At nearly the same minute Mrs. An
mis-, riding home through the deepening
dusk, met horseman, at sight Of whom
she turned her own beast square across
the narrow road, barring his progress
until she had questioned him to her
hearts content. Evidently the answers
pleased her. Very shortly she rode on,
ohuckling aloud. She got down at her
own stile in tempestuous good humor,
patted the head Of lank hound which
came to greet her and strobe within the
squat log house, which had one door
ajar.
1t was mean and squalid, forlornly
weather beaten and full Of slatternly
discomfort The open passway between
the two pens was like a muck heap.
Racks had been set upon the log walls
either side for holding guns and sad
dies. Mrs. Annis noted with pleasure
that all of them were empty. She slung
her own riding gear in place, saying
half under breath: "Ef that thar fool
Noch jest will keep erwayl BE shorely
had better. Some er his gang has got
faces ter hang 'em anywhar's. He's er
plumb fool ef he don't stay way one
while. kin manage Magnolyer by her.
se'f, an onless I'm reckonin mighty
wrong I'll manage it 30 he kin change
his business fer better, and that right
soon"
Magnolia stood listlessly in front Of
the fireplace. with yet spark at bot
tom of her velvety eyes. 1t had been
kindled by sight Of gorgeous silk
handkerchief and some lengths Of broad
red ribbon which lay across her arm.
Without word she held them toward
the old woman, who said, with harsh
laugh, lingering them eagerly:
$50 he's fetchin things ter you er-
ready, agh2 I met him in the road; had
er nice dish er chat with him, too,
though he was in sech er hurry. Now,
you listen at me, Magnolyer, jest you
mind me, an you kin marry Ben Top
mark an be as big er dog as any or the
big dogs"
Magnolia flung her arms above her
head, with quick shiver.
az Iwoon t have heem," she said duly.
"I woouldn 't-no, not for nurthln.
All l wants er heem is-murney. /
wouldn't stand heem er ya-air fer all
hee's got. IL hate heem, do-ef-
eff he stays jest er leetle while"
"You air er big FOOL" Mrs. Annis
said roughly, call on account er Nooh,
an, though he is all the child I've got,
I'm bound ter say he is no account
wusser'n no account. Besides you jest
as well see, fust as last, he wont new
er marry you, not eff you git your full
rights an money besides.
"Burt-burt-the -chile-the leetle
unr' Magnolia gasped, her mouth gath
erinp whiteness "He-he cain't deny
1.-THE pore leetle un. It's 3 year ole
now. Eff I jest had it an Noch-an-
an we had er place whar nobody know
ed''-
"Shet upr" Mrs. Annis commanded.
"Gal, lemme tell you somethin. Noch's
like all the rest er men-crazy fer what
he amt got. Now he's plumb distracted
arfter Betty Hinsley. He'll git her too.
Now Hinsley's done gone ter Jail, Bet
tvs free as any on u.s."
"I mought as well be dead, then, !"
Magnolia said passionately, dropping
into chair and breaking into dry sobs.
But in little her eyes went back to the
gay ribbon. She got up and began to tie
it. about her round waist. Then she
draped the kerchief over her shoulders
and smiled to see how ivory fair her
long throat showed in contrast. When
her dusky hair had been piled high on
her head, she surveyed herself in the old