Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-08-23
CHAPTER XIV.

III STRONG man is to be pitied
ia who deliberately shuns being
|IHt thrown into contrast with 8
rival more fortunate In the es
timation Of the world. George was
like a sensitive. high spirited dwarf
trying to avoid seeing tall men. The
whole town was going to hear the gov
ernor's address the next Sunday; the
whole town was talking Of his admira
ton for the belle Of the place. For the
remainder Of the week George was un
certain what he should do, but wher
the eyentful morning arrived he went
to a livery stable. engaged horse and
buggy and drove out to his mothers
He might have chosen better, for the
sordid surroundings Of the farmhouse
which had never seemed like home tc
him in the highest sense, only made
him feel more depressed.
"The Lord knows I'm astonished tc
see YOU" Mrs. Buckley said as she
came to the door wiping her fat hands
on her apron. why, all the settle
ment, it seems to me. has gone in town
to see the governor. but somehow
didn't care to go. I'm too old to ride
ten miles in q joltin' wagon to see jest
q man. How do you come on?"
II feel all right" George replied: 81
didn't care to hear the speech"
"You say you didn't2" Mrs. Buck
ley's heavy brows ran together. She
stood for moment eying her son with
sympathetic fixity. She had heard the
rumor Of the governors attentions to
Lydia Cranston. They were now In
the sitting room. and he stood warm
ing himself before the fire.
"Oh, George" she suddenly got out
II wish you'd let me talk to you an
not git mad"
mad? Why. mother" he exclaimed
chow could | get mad at you?"
The old woman sat down In her low
chair in the chimney corner. "You are
my boy" she said. q tremor in her gen.
tie voice. AN some things hurt-cut
me to the quick. Oh. George, | wish
you would sort O. be content with COM
mon folks like we all are. You are as
good. every bit an grain. as that Vir'
ginia gal. but somehow she's situated
different. Now. fer instance, they say
she's got chance. an a good one. to
marry the governor"
81 think she has" George said cold
ly. his lips tightening. but what OF
that, mother?"
"Oh. ii nearly kills lie to have folks
think you-you want to get some'n' an
cayn't." replied the old woman plain.
lively. AN, George. as things 60 In
this world. Lydia Cranston will have
10 take that offer. She cayn't gil
around It. Gals kin have the'r choice
an'-mind YOU. don't know thing
she may. down In her heart. like you
the best on account O. you bein' youn.
ger an better lookin. but folks In her
walk o. life. reckon. have to sortel
look to the future. Her folks will
make her. ef she draws back. George
IL hope you don't feel bad about It,"
Mother, I'm all right" He sat down
before the fire. He looked out through
the small paned window upon a wide
stretch Of cotton land where he had
toiled through his boyhood. To the
left, inside the garden fence, was the
log smok ehouse, the barn and stables
to the right, the yard where the chick
ems and ducks were scratching the
earth for food. The old woman said
nothing-there was nothing she could
say, for his reply had not reassured
her.
"Why do you think anything is wrong
with me-" he suddenly asked. HAS
anybody
"You cayn't keep folks mouths shet,
Mrs. Buckley said. you've got more
friends AN any boy in all this noun
tain country, but even a body's best
friends will git jealous when he begins
to rise in the world. Most Of 'en
thought you was tyin' too high, George
all along-in visitin' the best In Oar
ley-an' they are tickled to be able te
circulate the report that she's goin' tc
marry the governor Of the state. You
see, they kin say that an not seem tc
be talkin' agin you, but they are
chucklin' all the same"
Il can't help their talking nor theil
thinking" Buckley said, with sigh.
But | believe I'd put bold face
ON it an laugh at the idea O. marryin
anybody right now. Then Id sortel
slack off from goin' to the Cranstons'
George, l kin stand anything better, Il
seems to me, than havin' 'em all think
you are miserable over it. an when tht
wedding takes place.
"Then you count on it as certainty
do you" His face clouded over, and
in spite Of his self control, his voice
rang harshly.
She stared at him pityingly. "Thar'i
no use talkin' about it." she said soft
ly. George, you hain't ready to ad
NIT it, an that's the wust sign Of all
You jest cayn't see it like other folks
an thar's jest one reason fer that
Won cayn't stand to think 1t possible.