Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-06-01

you went away. She's down at town" "
"What Is she doin down there|
"She's workin In a store to earn her
lyin."
Sim was surprised.
"To earn her Twin" be repeated.
Pap nodded his head.
"What's become of all the land left
her?" Sim asked.
"It's thar jest as it was. She ain't
never teched a foot Of it"
"Why"
"Said it was your'n an she didn't de-
serve it."
Sim paused a moment, then said:
"Ap Melvin"
"Lordw Pap exclaimed. Don't you
know|
mo. Did he an Loueesy"-
mo. He was killed the day you
left"
A queer expression came to Sims
face, an expression in which surprise
and relief were blended.
Didn't you know bout him bein
killedw Pap asked.
mo. | have never heard word
from home sence went away, an |
don't know anything that has happen
ed. Who killed him?"
The man who came with Sim looked
quickly up and appeared to wait eager
" for Pap's reply. 1t was then Pap
! noticed for the first time how pale and
emaciated that man was.
"Who killed Melvin?" Sim repeated
presently.
81 don't know" Pap answered. "The
next mornin after you left Jim Thorn
found the dead body in your woods
with a bullet hole through it. He had
been killed several hours then"
"And nobody knows who done It"
Pap shook his head.
"Was nobody suspectedT
The old man turned away and began
to thump his cane against the ground,
but he made no reply. Sim saw that
Pap's action meant something. and be
began to put few things together. He
remembered that he had gone into
those woods with his gun about the
time the killing must have occurred
and then had disappeared. He remem-
bered also the threat he had made that
day in Mrs. Mann's wheatfeld. Re-
calling these things and noting Pap's
behavior. he was quick enough to sus-
pect the truth. Pale. but firm. he said:
Pap. was anybody suspected Of kill
in Melvin"
The old man hesitated still, but final
ly he replied:
Thar mought a. been, Sim; yes, I'm
afeard thar mought "a been. But,
Sim. l amt never suspected nobody"
81 know, Pap. But who did the 9th
ers suspectY"
Again Sims companion leaned eager
ly forward and seemed to await Pap's
reply. After a short pause the old man
said slowly:
"You know, Sim, thar's allus some
people ready to suspect anything bad
Of a body If they've got ghost Of q
reason. lies 60 on home. Sim.
guess you must be tired an hungry"
mo. Pap. not now. You must tell me
the truth"
'Oh. Lord. Sim. can't tell you no
more"
Eyes. you can tell me who was sus-
pected"
"Id ruther not"
'Then it's true. Pap. 1t is meT
Pap remained silent.
"Tell me-" Sim insisted, "is it meP'
"I'm afeard so, Sim; yes, I'm afeard
thar's some as thinks it was you. But
don't think it,"
Sim had known what was coming,
but Pap's admission was hard blow
for all that. His head dropped, and an
expression Of bitter pain came over his
! features. Pap saw and understood
and, placing his hand on Sims shoul-
der, said consolingly:
But | don't b'lieve it, Sim, an no.
body'll ever make me b'lieve it for a
minute if they sw'ar to it on stack of
Bibles-never."
The old mans act and words did Sim
good. 1t was great comfort to know
that he had one true friend at least.
81 know, Pap" he said. that l can
always trust you. You'll stand by me
to the last"
That's what 1 will, Sim, cause l
know you're not guilty"
"An thar's Others" Sim said.
"Thar's Sam Morgan an Jason Rob.
erts. They'll never b'lieve me guilty
either. will they, Pap?"
Pap was seriously troubled, and he
showed it.
"Sim," he said, 81 know you uns
must be tired an hungry. Les go on
homo an talk afterwards"
"No," Sim replied; 81 want to know
the truth, the whole bitter truth. Sc
Sam an Jason blieve me guilty Of such
q terrible crime as that|'
81 dunno" Pap answered. "They
don't want to b'lieve 1t, Sim. I know
they don't want to b'lieve it."
"But they do," Sim said, with a sigh
Of resignation. "Waal, so be it. Ar
LoueeSy'-
Pap raised his hand instantly, and g
beam Of pleasure lighted his face.