Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-05-15
Copyright. 1901, by Thomas P. Montfort
CHAPTER XVII.
MAKINQ AMENDS

Sim Banks walked slowly homeward
Since leaving Sam Morgan he hat
grown calm, very, very calm, but hi
heart was as heavy as lead. His wa
the calmness Of hopeless despair ant
complete resignation.
II see my duty" he repeated ove
and over, Ian I'll do it If 1t kills me."
His face was white. but there was
firm, set expression there which show
ed that his mind was made up to a pur
pose and that there would be no wa
vering in fulfilling It Like bis class II
general, he was slow to see his duty
but once having seen 1t there was NJ
shirking 1t and no faltering In its dis
charge.
He believed all Sam Morgan had tolt
him. In view Of all he knew he hat
no shadow Of reason for doubling. II
was true, every word of it. Yet before
be acted he would hear it from Lou
isa's own lips. He even hoped-hopet
against hopethat she might In some
way satisfactorily explain it all. What
ever she said he would believe. He
would take her word against all the
world.
When he reached home, he went d.
rectly to her. He noticed that she
looked more sad and worn than he haC
ever seen her. and feeling Of pity
and compassion stirred his heart to the
very bottom. In his sympathies bis
own sufferings held the second place
His wife's were first.
Even as be stood before her he hesi
tated to speak, but not for long. Duty
with him was duty. and 1t must be
done. no matter how bitter the cost
With a quiet firmness that was sur
prising under the circumstances ht
spoke.
"Loueesy," be said, I'D rather bt
dead this minute than to speak th'
words I've got to say, but feel it's my
duty to speak. so that once an for al
we may understand each other"
He paused a moment, and she glanc
ed up inquiringly, then again bent bel
head over her work.
"Do you know, Loueesy," he wen
on, what all people are saytn about
you an Melvin"
She shook her head, and he saw the
color creep into her face.
"They are tellin that you met tina,
man In the woods out thar an that yor
-Loueesy. it's hard to say the rest
cruel hard, but it's best to say 1t. They
say you told that man you loved him.
1t was out, all out, and he waited fol
her to speak. But he waited In vain
Her head bent lower over her work
and her whole form seemed to droop
but she remained silent
"Is It true, Loueesy?" he asked aftel
awhile, his voice strangely gentle ant
tender. Tell me. Is it all true, as they
say"
She did not answer.
Say Yes or No. Loueesy." he In
sisted.
YES" she said in tone scarcely
audible.
IAN is it true. Loueesy, that you dt
love him?"
YES" Then after pause she add
ed: II can't llelp II. God knows l can't
| wish I was dead"
Sim turned to leave the room. but a
the door be stopped.
'Loueesy." be said. Il amt blamiI
you. 1t amt your fault that things
has turned out like this. God knows i
amt"
Then be passed on and went to hi
own room. He picked up his gun ant
examined 1t and saw that II was II
perfect order. He set II down where /
would be handy to him. saying to him
self:
THAT'S all I'll need. an it's all IL
take"
Then be took some papers from lit
tie locked tin box and went out. H.
walked down the street until he cam
to the office Of Squire Beeson, the jus
tice Of the peace. In all his move
ments he was as calm and deliberate
as though nothing out Of common ha'
transpired. and there were no outward