The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-07-22
CONTINUED from a,s.page.)

asar ana saw nS<ksbufhing In his
clerks room In 'theVl1ne Entering
~. and softly treading 6yqkthe rough
' 4oor. whichswas strewn Il witks sehaf and
sraine end the metsh tiess of cotton
bales. Hlssr stood IN the doorway of
the young mn sfbsoud OF
cigar smoke Georg&8 iey sat near
little table, without BID his col
lar or and his powerful heck Showing
through his open shirt. He glared up
at shis employees. and then rose to his
fest and looked straight ut him
George" the old man began I'm a
voice that Quivered through excessive
embarrassment, II was troubled SO
much about you that 1 couldn't sleep
80 got up an come down. l seed
yore light an couldn't keep from COM
in In"
Il don't see that you need bother
about me-" was Buckley's surprising
retort "Im no blood kin of yours.
Mr.. Hillyer"
George. I'm as good a friend to YOU
as know how to be, an 1 Jest want
you to know that, an eff thar's any
way under the sun that I kin helm Won
I'll do it," :.
Then let's ME n you come to an
UNDERSTANDING said Buckley. II don't
KNOW exactly how to size you up. I've.
Dcen thinking about you all this even
Ing, and If don't understand you bet
ter than l have done for several years
you and 1 Will part. You can keep the
money I've made and saved I'D. and
II could do 1t I'd throw the education
you gave me In your face. My intelli-
Bence has been insulted You have
done all these things for me under the
pretense Of love, but 1t was not that.
Now let's understand each other"
Hillyer turned as white as death
could have made him. His eyes sank
to the floor. and, with halting step he
went to the young mans bed across
the room and sat down on the edge
ofit
You do me great wrong, George"
he faltered. IF you knowed my
heart
well. that's all I'm asking want
to know what 1t all means I tell you
I'm no fool. It's not whisky in me
talking either. for I've puzzled over it
FOR years, an now that this thing has
l don't care whether I
stay In your town anyway-I'm goin'
to be told the truth. What did you
give me my education for, and this
start In the world? Why, as I look
at you gazing at me now 1t seems to
W you are the yerEa4srsez ~; h
E1rnfe Yhat has Knocked msvver since
I was old enough to know I was alive
Curse it, what's the matter with you!
Can't you talk?'
Hillyer rose to his feet. I'm goin'
to leave you. George" he said. To
morrow Well talk this over. You are
in no condition to-
Taking swift, steady stride for
ward, the young man laid his HANDS on
the merchants shoulders and forceo
him back to his seat on the bed NO,
he said; "you don't leave here tonight
until you have answered my questlon
md satisfied me-"
Hillyer leaned forward. his face In
his hands, and groaned.
"Then, George, I'll be obliged to
speak Of something that has not passed
nv lIps in thirty years, but maybe it Is
best fer me to do it. considerin' every
thing. Set down I kin talk better IL
you won't stand so close an look al
me 80 straight. You've had yore trou-
bic, an cf you have the heart l think
you have you'll be sorry fer me. an me
an you maybe will be trucr friends In
the future CIR me time. I'll git 1t
out"
George Buckley threw himself into
the chair at the table. There was
pause. n train passed on the TRACK
within twenty yards of the rear door
Of the warehouse, and the foor shook
A pistol shot was heard, followed by
the yelping OF wounded dog Mt tilt
other end OF the street. The town slept
George" began the merchant In
strange husky voice. you are nov
meetin' the biggest trouble Of yOr
whole life. | was jest about yore age
an everything was about as promisn
when my trouble overlook me. George
the old man gulped-"did you eve
hear that I-killed feller jest at tn
close o. the warf'
Buckley stared steadily, his brow
raised.
II thinkx-yes, knew about 1t. But
didn't think you The young ma
seemed unable to formulate h
thoughts into words. II knew yC
were acquitted and that nobody blame
you"
eyes, ] was acquitted, but how-a
how? You wonder why you was 4
lected to go through yore present tri:
an I've wondered gshy an&many
time why mine Wis put on me. : II
whole world thinkss.I don't both
.'ab6at it, but few folks know about 4
:. yernln that's gnawln' at the seer
/. souls of their nefghbors. Why, Il
- own wife don't know my feelfn's