Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-12-13

spoke to note the effect Of his words.
He did raise his head. however, when
Coch Tai answered. not in the tones OF
fierce defiance he had expected to hear.
but in an awestruck. reproachful voice,
"Sir, you never hear anything but
| the truth from me. believe me. Not oil
the truth sometimes. l dursn't always
tell you oil. But never tell you no
lies, and that's a true word
"Well," said Mason in less antag.
onistic tone. Twill you tell me. then.
why you want to fight me?"
Eyes. sir. may tell you that"
But he paused again.
sis it on account Of my poor brother!
And what | have said to you about
him?"
"No. sir; it amt nothing to do with
him." answered Coch Tal in sorrow
full tone. Its because Of Gwyn.'
"And what have done that you
should want to fight me on her ac-
count?"
The veins in the peasants face be-
gan to swell. and he clnched his fists
convulsively.
"What have you done? What haven't
you done. sir. In the way of bringing
misery and ruin and trouble to her!
What have you done? Ha. ha, ha"
He uttered a short. hard laugh and
then was suddenly silent. Mason
stared at him with astonishment and
apprehension.
"Why, man." said he at last. what
mad notion have you got In your head!
Because you love this girl yourself
why must you imagine that no other
man can come near her without loving
her? Your love and jealousy make
YOU mad and blind and deaf to reason.
She and have been merely doctor
and patient and nothing more"
"You fool, Clever as you may be,
and gentleman and doctor, too. you are
no better than q fool where woman
comes inr' cried Coch Tai savagely,
staring at him. with his head protrud-
ing and his eyes on fire. Merely doc
tor and patient! Fla. ha, ha! Poor
lass, poor lasS!"
Mason looked at him in ever In
creasing amazement. How far had
Coch Tails insane doubts and fears
carried him?
Don't you know" said he at last,
ignoring the peasants abuse and try
! ing to bring him to facts, what Gwyn
told her father? You heard, am
sure"'
Heard! Yes. heard! retorted
Merrick sullenly and contemptuously.
81 heard her say you and her were en-
gagged to marry. But | knew that 1t
was only a blind. She only said 1t to
get you away with whole skin. Oh,
| knew that"
"'Then what are you troubling your
head about? If you are satisfied that
| have never made love to her and
that what she said was said only to
help me to get safely away. what in
the world have you to grumble
about?'
THAT is what I've got to grumble
about" retortcd Coch Tai emphatical-
ly. That it is all make up, make
! believe; that you care no more for her
than If she was the grass under your
feet and that you'll go away with q
light heart and free conscience and
leave my poor girl to eat her heart out
here in the hills. with never so much
| nc n tbonpbt FOR harD
Again Mason stared.
How often am | to tell you," said
he, that there has never been a ques-
ton Of love between US? | honor and
respect and admire her as good, true,
splendid woman. But that Is not at all
like the feeling you have for her.
Coch Tai interrupted him, throwing
back his head and showing a face
down which the tears were chasing
each other.
mo. mister" said he, in a trembling
voice, Its not the feeling have for
| her. And no more 1t Is the feeling she
has for YOU"
Mason was struck dumb. The man
! spoke with the earnestness Of strong
conviction. and in q voice eloquent of
many and deep emotions. After a short
pause he went on:
"Sir it's you that's been blind, not
me. Love like what have for Gwyn
don't make q man blind; it makes him
see better and clearer than he did
afore. knew when you came it meant
| danger for hcr-and for me! l felt 1t,
sir, down in my very bones. It's super
stition, they say, don't they, to know
things are going to happen afore they
come? Well, superstition 1t may be,
but it helps as much rs another thing.
And knew 1t as plain that night you
came as If Id read it in the great book.
| knew you'd come to steal my girls
heart away, and that you'd care no
more for what you'd got than do for
| the cattle tend and feed"
Upon these words he broke down.
and his voice became husky with sup
pressed sobs. An awful touching sight
il was. this breakdown Of the strong
fierce mountaineer. this melting Of de-
tiance and dogged animosity under the
fire Of the passion which consumed
him. Mason was touched to the quick
"Merrick." said he. gravely, II never
guessed this. hope now 1t is not
true"
"Its no use hoping" retorted Cocll
Tai, with energy. because I'm not
guessing. I'm telling you wits true
what | know. And don't even say
you're to blame. don't suppose you
are. You're gentleman. and you're
handsome and soft spoken. and your
hands are white and soft, almost like