Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-08-01


ken to by any one. But here several jo-
vial men from the mountains who
knew him intimately gathered around
him and began to make laughing re-
marks about his dress.
"You look fer the world like dirt
dauber." This comparison to kind
Of black wasp came from Pole Baker,
a tall, heavily built farmer, with an
enormous head, thick eyebrows and
long, shaggy hair. He lived on Bish-
ops farm and had been brought up
with Alan. "I'll be derned ef you
amt nimble on yore feet though. I've
seed you cut the pigeon wing over on
Messy creek with them big, strappin'
gals fore you had yore sights as high
as these town folks"
"It's that thar vest that gifts me"
said another. 81 reckon it's cut low
30 you won't drap saft victuals on 1t,
but l guess you don't do much eatn'
with that collar on. 1t don't look like
yore Adams apple could stir a peg un-
der it."
With a good natured reply and a
laugh he did not feel, Alan hurried out
Of the office and up to his room, where
he had left his lamp burning. Ray
burn Miller's hat and light overcoat
were on the bed. Alan sat down In
one Of the stiff backed, split bottom
chairs and stared straight in front Of
him. Never in his life had he suffered
as he was now suffering. He could see
no hope ahead; the girl he loved was
lost to him. Her father had heard Of
the foolhardiness Of old man Bishop
and, like many another well meaning
parent, had determined to save his
daughter from the folly Of marrying q
penniless man who had doubtless in
herited his fathers lack of judgment
and caution.
There was a rap on the closed door,
and Immediately afterward Rayburn
Miller turned the knob and came in
His kindly glance swept the face Of
his friend. and he said, with forced
hghtness:
II don't want to bore you, old mau,
but I just had to follow you. saw
from your looks as you left the ball
room that something was wrong, and
l am afraid l know what it is. You
see, Captain Barclay Is rough, out
spoken man, and he made remark
the other day which reached me. l
wasn't sure it was true, SO l didn't
mention 1t; but reckon my informant
knew what he was talking about"
Alan nodded despondently. 81 asked
her to 60 to church with me tomorrow
night. She was awfully embarrassed
and finally told me Of her fathers OBJ
jections."
II think l know what fired the old
devil up," said Miller.
"You do"
Eyes. 1t was that mistake Of your
father. As I told you, the colonel is
as mad as a wet hen about the whole
thing. He's got a rope tied to ever.
nickel he's got, and he intends to leave
Dolly a good deal Of money. He thinks
Frank Hillhouse is just the thing. He
shows that as plain as day. He no.
ticed how frequently you came to see
Dolly and scented danger ahead aud
simply put his foot down on it, just
as fathers have been doing ever since
the food. My dear boy. you've got
bitter pill to take. but you've got to
swallow it like man. You've reached
a point where two roads fork. 1t Is
for you to decide which one you'll
take"
Alan made no reply. Rayburn MIL
Ter lighted cigar and began to smoke
steadily.
Its none Of my business" Miller
burst out suddenly, "but I'm friend
enough Of yours to feel this thing like
the devil. However, l don't know
what to say. only wish knew how
far you've gone into it,"
Alan smiled mechanically.
"If you can't look at me and see how
far I've gone, you are blind" he said.
81 don't mean that" replied Miller.
81 was wondering how far you had
committed yourself-oh. hang it,
made love and all that sort Of thing"
"I've never spoken to her on the sub.
ject," Alan Informed him gloomily.
Good, good! Splendid!'
Alan stared in surprise.
81 don't understand" he said. "She
knows-that is, think she knows
how l feel. and have hoped that
"Never mind about that" interrupted
Miller laconically. There is chance
for both Of you If you'll turn square
around like sensible human beings and
look the facts in the face"
"You mean
"That it will be stupid, childish i'd
iocy for either or both Of you to let
this thing spoil your lives"
81 don't understand YOU"
"Well, you will before I'm through
with YOU. and I'll do you up brown.
There are simply two courses open to
you, my boy. One is to treat Colonel
Barclays wishes with dignified respect
and bow and retire just as any Eu-
ropean gentleman would do when told
that his pile was too small to be con-
sidered."
"And the other?' asked Alan sharp
ly.
"The other is to follow In the foot
steps Of nearly every sentimental fool
that ever was born and 60 around look
ing like a last years birds nest OF,
worse yet, persuading the girl to elope
and thus angering her father 80 that
he will cut her out Of what's coming
to her and what is her right, my boy.
She may be willing to live on bread