Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-07-12
THE TELEGRAPH MESSAGE.
By ROBERT BARR.
Tcopyright, 1899, by the Author.l

III ONcl luC lClI OyC ehho So'S - S~N
lister expression to an impassive face
that was at best saturnine. The left
arm hung Imply by his side and. with
the sinking eyelid. gave token of q
''stroke':: that many regretted had. like
themselves. encountered the old man IN
vain. Some one had said that con-
fidence would never be restored in busi-
ness circles until second attack grap-
pied old Grimwood with more success
than the first. for it had been quickly
proved that what was left Of the sea-
soned old speculator was match for
the combined intellect and shrewdness
of the others in the grain pit. Grim
woods workable eye quickly but fur
lively ranged the room and finally rest
ed on the fair head of the girl, just
visible over the polished surface of the
counter as she sat at the telegraph in
strument. His face showed no astonish-
ment. It was always expressionless,
but his eye remained there.
81 thoroughly believe, Sandys, that
old Grimwood has bribed you to place
the girl here. Such withered. ancient
branch as he is will be the only man
unaffected by her presence. 1t ism t fair
to US youngsters who have to contend
with his lifetime of villainy anyhow. I
confess don't want my mind distract
ed from the wheat quotations just at
present.
81 shall give you every assistance to
concentrate your mind on that subject,
Howard.
s'Thanks, old man. I'm infinitely
obliged, replied Howard, with laugh,
"but who is she anyhowH We are
bound to know sooner or later.
"She is one entitled to the respect
and protection of every man here, said
Sandys slowly. "She is the daughter Of
your old chief. SiRs McClintoch. "
"Good heavensI You don't mean to
say sol' cried the young man, sober
ing "By Jove, there is sort Of poetic
justice in her being here, this inferno
which ruined the father now supporting
the daughter.
"The Western Union will look to her
support. " returned the manager with
out enthusiasm.
"Quite so, and we help support the
Western Union. The consumer always
pays, you know. But say, Sandys, /
want you to introduce me to Miss Nc
Clintoch.
81 DON t see the necessity. She is not
here socially"
"Oh. that's all nonsense. We're all
social equals. and it will do her no
harm to have a friend on this side Of
the counter. You can't be always here,
you know. Besides, if you don't intro
duce me properly shall certainly in
troduce myself. "
"Miss McClintoch has set out very
bravely to earn her own living, and !
don't want her interfered with"
Exactly. I am earning my own liv-
ing myself, and I not only won't inter-
fere with her, but will prevent Others
from doing So"
The manager looked keenly at the
speaker for moment, but met merely
the clear gaze Of a very honest pair of
eyes At that instant there was wild
rush to the center of the room, as if the
human atoms had been caught in sud-
den whirlpool. as indeed many of them
were. They gesticulated and shouted all
together. 1t seemed as if madhouse
had unexpectedly debouched its con-
tents. Young Howard wavered mo-
ment, seemingly drawn by some unseen
force to plunge into the maelstrom.
Then his gaze wandered toward the
telegraph Office, where he saw the girl
standing with wide open eyes looking
at the turmoil, while Johnnie Fielders
was quite evidently explaining that
there was no danger and that it was not
free fight nor the beginning of foot
ball match.
Come" said Howard; ''now is the
time"
The manager, still with visible re-
luctance, turned and led the way to the
telegraph Office.
miss McClintoch, he said, making
his voice heard with difficulty above the
din, 'may 1 introduce to you friend
of your fathers, Mr.. Stillson Howard ?"
The girl, raising her eyes, saw before
her a young man who might be conven-
tionally described as fine looking, with
dark mustache and a firmly nodded.
self reliant chin.
~ ain pleased to meet any one who
knew my father" she said.
81 not only knew him. Miss McClin-
toch, but I am indebted to him for
many kind words and much encourage
ment at time when had no great
stock of either was once clerk in
his office If there is anything l can do
to help you here, l hope you will let me
know, for would esteem it privilege
to make at least partial return for the
debt owe your father.
THANK you. replied the girl sim
ply. -.
Telegram, miss, if you please. " said
the falsetto voice of old Grimwood as
he leaned against the counter, holding
in his hand written message and fas-
tening his fshy eye on the group 81
take it. Mr.. Sandys. that this young
lady is going to do us the honor of send
ing and receiving our dispatches, and
that will be very nice indeed.
There was something in his tone
which said as plainly as words could
have done 81 should be much obliged
if you would all attend strictly to busi-
ness.
Sandys frowned, but said nothing.
Fielders sprang forward, took the mes
,l -o++lod II off to Cbicn1o Misc