Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-04-20
Copyright. 1901, by Thomas P. Montfort.
CHAPTER TX.
ApANGERoUs A MEETING.

lost interest in him. and neither had Its
curiosity regarding him been In any de-
gree satisfied. He was still an object
of wonder. and speculation concerning
him-his past life and character and
his purpose In coming to the Ridge
was as rife as 1t had ever been.
OF course his statement to old man
Turner that be had come there to pros
pect for mineral had spread abroad
among the people, but there were very
few who believed for a moment that
there was word Of truth In it There
were no mineral developments In that
section and. so far as any one knew, no
indications of mineral deposits. In
view of these things. what likelihood
was there Of company Of capitalists
sending a man ther any such mis-
sion?
Pap Sampson. so boastful Of bis abil-
ity to Judge people at first sight, bad
been compelled to admit, though be did
it reluctantly enough, that for once he
had made q mistake when he so conf
dently asserted that Melvin was a
preacher and that his object In coming
to Possum Ridge was to hold some
"meetin's" at the Coon Run "meetin
house." Jason Roberts, still having an
excuse for holding to his first formed
opinion, continued to argue that he was
there for the purpose Of buying some
thing. But Jason was alone, or very
nearly so, In bis opinion, and both he
and Pap had the satisfaction OF seeing
Jim Thorn. q mere upstart. holding the
lead In public opinion for once.
Melvin soon observed that wherever
he went the people watched him. curl
ously and that the great majority or
them showed an unmistakable disposi-
tion to avoid him. He could engage
but few of them In conversation. and II
he approached group Of them and un-
dertook to show them the social side OF
his nature they Immediately began to
exchange furtive glances and present
ly, one by one, dropped away until he
was left alone.
OF course this conduct on the part of
the people was unpleasant to stran-
ger, for it made him feel that be was
not welcome and that his company
was less preferable than his absence.
To Melvin it was more. 1t not only
annoyed but 1t disturbed him. A
man who is carrying in bis bosom a
dread secret Is always under an appre-
hension that he Is going to be found
out. and any little popularity In the
conduct Of those about him Is sure to
excite his suspicious and awaken In
him feeling Of uneasiness.
Several times during the two weeks
Melvin had made visits to Beckett's
Mil, ostensibly to make triaing pur-
chases at the store, but in reality for
far different purpose. Each time, how
ever he had come back as he had gone.
his purpose unaccomplished. But at
last fortune favored him.
One evening he had left the village to
return to Turner's, where he was still
stopping. when In passing through a
thick wood he came suddenly face to
face with Mrs. Banks. Both started
back In surprise. but Melvin recovered
himself quickly. and. grasping her
hands in bis, be looked full into her
face and cried:
THANK God. Louisa. have met you
at last"
Then he caresSed her hands. his mind
In such q tumult that he could find no
further words to speak. and when after
q moment she would have drawn her
hands away he held them fast.
Don't, please DON'T" she said in
tones Of soft remonStrance. looking
anSlously around. 81 Please let me
go!
mo. nor he replied. Don't ask me
to DO that. 1t would be cruel after
have hunsered and starved for sight
of you all this long time. Oh. Louisa.
you don't know how | love you and
how ! haze missed you and yearned
for you! oh. my darling"
He made q movement to put his arm
about her. but she tore herself from his
grasp and. staggering back. stood lean.
ing against q tree. She was trembling
all over. her face red and white by
turns and an uneasy. scared expression
in her eyes.
After momentary pause he advenc-
ed toward her, but she held up her
hand to stop him.
"YOu forget" she said in low tones
"Forget whut?" he asked, his eyes
fixed eagerly OH her.
"That-that | am married"
He hesitated an instant, then said
slowly:
mo; don't forget that. | wish to
heaven l could and that you could for
get it too. But | love you, Louisa. and
IL you were married thousand times
I'd love you. 1t may be wrong, but |
don't believe it is; but right or wrong.
love you, and I'll always love you.
can't help it.
A light Of heavenly bliss swept over
her features. theD>Quickly died away.
Don't say that, she pleaded. You
have no right"
But | have" he replied. Il have
more right than any one else, for love
YOU more. and you love me. Isn't that
true, Louisa? Don't you love me?'
She made no reply. but hid her face
In her hands. Presently he repeated:
Don't you love me, Louisa?"
She waited q moment. then looked up
appealingly.
"You are cruel, cruel!' she cried. If
you were not, you'd spare Inc. You
have no right to ask me that"