Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-08-02

sat down at the window in the sun
shine, and almost before he was aware
of it he had allowed a feeling Of utter
dependency to descend upon him.
what Is the user" he asked himself,
HHow am I to fight 1t through" For
half an hour he sat thus In the very
dregs of despair, and then suddenly
picture rose before his mental vision
a picture of old man Hillyer as he sat
there on the bed in the vague lamp.
light, recounting the one mistake OF bis
life and the grim fight he was still
making to overcome the consequences,
and a flush of shame stole over the
young man. 1--WE promised him." he
said aloud-'I've promised him to be
man, and I SHALL shallP
Just then the church bells began to
ring. They were all harsh in tone, being
cheap cast iron, except one which had
been smuggled into the village during
the war from larger town after the
church to which it belonged was de-
stroyed by fire. Its tone was sweet
and mellow and rose out Of the general
clangor like q promise Of peace to suf-
fering souls. 1t was ringing IN the lit
tie belfry Of the church Lydia Cranston
attended. She was an Episcopalian,
but MS there was no church Of that de-
nomination at barley, and her father
was partial to the rather progressive
Young minister Of the Methodist church,
she and her mother went there regular
". And it must be confessed that
George Buckley had on many Sun
day since forming her acquaintance at
tended that particular place Of wor-
ship, and chiefly for the opportunity
of seeing her. He knew that it would
be a difficult thing for him to face
the little congregation, divining the
thoughts that would rise in the minds
Of all, and yet he met the matter cour-
ageously and went.
He was vaguely glad that the first
hymn had been sung and that there
were no loiterers, as was frequently
the case, on the steps. Reaching the
door and looking in, his heart set up a
lively beating as he saw Lydia Gran
ston with her parents in their pew.
The major was the only man in Oar
ley who sat on the ladies' side OF the
house. He seemed never. to have re-
marked that he was acting In an excep-
tional manner In this regard. In an
other thing he was different from 9TH
er men. He was, perhaps. the only
male individual in the village who
wore kid gloves. His silk hat was on
the floor at the end Of the pew, and
across its top lay his gold headed cane,
upon which was engraved respectful
tribute from his regiment. Indeed, the
Cranston family had decided air OF
the old regime about them. and 1t was
all the more noticeable because Of the
few families of quite their own rank
at Darley. Lydia, tall, graceful and
fair, was really pretty girl, and, what
was better, she was very well Informed.
Mrs. Dugan had often remarked that
nearly all the young men-and those OF
the best Darley blood too-were actual
" afraid Of the Virginia girl, and. while
she thought 1t most peculiar and de-
plored the condition Of things, she at
tributed the lowborn George Buckley g
standing in Lydia's estimation to the
fact that he could talk to her about
books an the like an had the natu-
raj cheek of his class"
The central aisle was carpeted, and
George stepped softly to one OF the
seats In the rear and sat down. He
was glad that his arrival was noted
only by a few. The young minister
would have been conspicuous IN a lar
ger place than barley. He was SIX
feet four in height, very dark and re-
markably slight; his eyes were dark
blue, his features sharp, and he wore
his black hair long and was clean
shaven.
When the service was over George
stood and waited for Mrs. Hillyer, who
was coming toward him, IN her stin
black silk, with a welcoming smile.
"Glad to see you out, young man"
she said as she Joined him. "That
was a rip-you-up-the-back. pay-up-or'
cit-out sort Of sermon, wasn't I'll
You n Mr.. Hillyer d better pass
around yore bad accounts tomorrow
an maybe you'll git the benefit Of It
I seed old Peter Cashel duckin' his
head q time or two"
George smiled because she did, more
than at what she was saying, for the
Cranstons were passing. The major
and his wife bowed with their usua
cold dignity, but Lydia gave him one
of her sweetest smiles. "Do you fee
hit?" she laughed, referring to the
preachers tulk.
Not exactly" he replied, coloring II
spite of himself; "but it was strong
wasn't it"'
you bet he wasn't hit, Miss Lydia,
spoke up Mrs. Hillyer. EFF everybody
paid Their debts like this young man
to say nothin' Of the debts Of Other
folks-Brother Mayhem d be out o
some'n' to preach about"
"Oh, I know that, Mrs. Hillyer,'
Lydia said, with a laugh, and she went
on to her father, who was looking bach
and frowning impatiently.
Outside the church, George and Mrs
r1;I,,,or ,uolkad hompvard together
She was in talkative mood, as usual
1T amt any O. my business, George
Buckley" she said, "but when 1t comes
to KNOWN how to treat women folks
you take the rag of the bush. I wai
tickled back thar. You treated thai