The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-09-28

but, Sir. George Naulcd away du LII
i'm in the jaw. 1t popped like the re-
port Of a pistol, an Truitt mighty nlSh
went down. We parted 'em without
any trouble In fact, Truitt thinks the
world an all Of i'm. George did i'm
favor a long time back, an instead 0
gittin' mad about it Truitt is worryln
over offendin' the boy. He would nave
apologized to i'm, but we all persuad-
ed i'm to wait till George was at bis
se'f.'
The merchant took a long, trembling
breath.
Il wish, Hillhouse," he said, that
you wouldn't let i'm have any more
liquor if you kin git around it,
Cit around it," laughed the bar
keeper. IF you'll show me a mixer o
drinks in this county that would re-
fuse that feller when he's off I'd like
to see i'm. 1t would cost i'm his life.
He's one man, squire, that ortn't to
fetch a drap, an between you an me
I don't think anything but this scrape
Of his daddy's would have started i'm.
George Buckley is the high strung sort
that makes either the finest citizens rr
the scum O creation"
II reckon yo're right agreed Hillyer,
and, turning, he went down to the
warehouse. which was in the next
block below. He found the front door
aiar and saw 1 light burning in his
clerks room in the rear. Entering
and softly treading over the rough
floor, which was strewn with chaf and
grain and the metal ties Of cotton
bales, Hillyer stood in the doorway OF
the young mans room. II q cloud OF
cigar smoke George Buckley sat near
q little table, without his coat, his col
lar off and his powerful neck showing
through his open shirt. He glared up
at his employer and then rose TO his
feet and looked straight at him.
George, the old man began in a
voice that quivered through excessive
embarrassment, Il was troubled so
much about you that I couldn't sleep,
so I got up an come down. seed
wore light an couldn't keep from COM
in in"
81 don't see that you need bother
about me- was Buckley's surprising
retort. I'm no blood kin Of yours,
Mr.. Hillyer.'
George, I'm as good a friend to you
es T know how to be, an Jest want
YOU to know that, an eff thar's any
way under the sun that I kin help you
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
been thinking about you all this even
ing, and if l don't understand you bet
ter than I have done for several years
you and will part. You can keep the
money I've made and saved up, and
if could do it I'd throw the education
you gave ne in your face. My intelE-
eence has been insulted. You have
done all these things for me under the
prctense Of love, but it was not that.
Now let's understand each other"
Hillye- turned as white as death
could have made him. His eyes sank
to the floor, and, with a halting step, be
went to the young mans bed across
the room and sat down on the edge
of it.
you do me a great wrong, George"
he faltered. "If you knoweG my
heart
"Well, that's all I'm asking. I want
to know what it 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
happened-an' I don't care whether l
stay in your towD anyway-1'm goin'
to be told the truth. What did you
give me my education for, and this
start In the world? Why, as look
at you gazing at me now it seems to
me you are the very personifcation Of
the fate that has Knocked me ever since
I was old enough to know 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 We'll talk this over. You are
in no condition to-
Taking Il swift, steady stride for
ward, the young man laid his hands on
the merchants shoulders and forced
him back to his seat on the bed. "No," "
he said; you don't leave here tonight
until you have answered my question
and satisfied me-"
Hillyer leaned forward, his face in
his hands, and groaned.
Then, George, III be obliged to
speak Of something that has not passed
my lips in thirty years, but maybe it Is
best fer me to do it, considerin' every
thing. Set down. kin talk better If
you won't stand SO close an look at
me so straight. You've had yore trou'
ble an ef you have the heart I think
you have you'll DC sorry fer me, an me
du ,NOu W 4Il pS - tSi AAtSiANtS 49,
the future. Gil me time. III git 1t
out
George Buckley threw himself into
the chair at the table. There was i
pause. 4 train passed on the track
within twenty yards Of the rear door
Of the warehouse, and the floor shook.
A pistol shot was heard, folloVNd by
the yelping Of wounded dog at the
other end of the street The town slept.
George" began the merchant In
strange husky voice. you are now
meetin' the biggest trouble OF yore
whole life. l was jest about yore age,
an everything was about as promisin',
when my trouble overlook me. George
the old man Sulped-"did you ever
hear that I-ki!lcd 4 feller jest at the
close O. the war;
Buckley stared steadily, his brows
raised
II think-yes, 1 knew about it. But
didn't think YOU The young man
seemed unable to formulate his