Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-10-04

IL coffee his wife stood near his
u chair.
"It's time played my last card" she
was saying. 81 tell you thars some
mistake. | don't believe Lydia Gran
ston would let that pore boy lie up
stairs an suffer without one word from
her at sech q time-a time when the
whole town an county Is a-talkin'
about his manliness an bravery an
the wrong done his daddy. That haint
like a woman one bit. Not one woman
In ten thousand would stay quiet at
such a time without some strong rea-
SON."
well, what are you goin' to do about
itr' the merchant asked.
"Do? Why, I've got my case all In
hand, as Mr.. Trabue would "a said.
The evidence is all in, an it win have
weight when l sum it up. I'm simply
a-goin' to them weevil eaten aristo-
Gratis an have it out with 'em, one way
or t'other."
"You say you areT
ayes, am. / know human natur', ,
an I'm not afeard to risk my judg-
ment I'm a-goin' to take that letter
George writ to you the night he was
shot-oh, yes, am; you needn't raise a
kick about that. 1t is admitted as evil
dence, an strong evidence at that.
Then I'm a-goin' to tell 'em what me n
you have agreed on. That Is my trump
card. It'll knock out anything they
hold; now you see ef 1t don't. I'm
goin' to give them a-talkin' to that they
won't forget soon. an I'll do 1t right.
too, fer don't expect to tell anything
but the truth. Eff Lydia Cranston has
engaged 'erself to that stuck up bump
on a rotten log, she'll have the satisfac-
ton o. KNOWN that thar's one woman
in the land that knows whar she's driy
'er ducks"
Hillyer rose, with a smile. well,
maybe you kin sorter bring 'em to Their
senses, an 1 say go it. l lost control
O. myself t'other day an give the old
major a piece O my mind, an he
mought as well git t'other half from
you. wish you luck. Ef you fail, it
will be about the fust time you've
missed fire since I've knowed you. l
reckon it won't kill i'm. Mrs. Dugan
says the New York doctor found i'm
as sound as dollar"
About 10 o'clock Mrs. Hillyer went
down to Cranstons'. She was attired
In her best black silk gown and fow-
cred bonnet, and she walked with a
firm, decided tread. She was invited
by the maidservant at the door into
the sitting room, where Cranston sat
before an open window, looking out
into the balmy spring sunshine. His
wife was near him, and Lydia had just
come in with glass Of claret punch
and stood stirring it at his side. They
all greeted her pleasantly, and Lydia
seemed somewhat surprised at the un.
expected visit, for it occurred to her
Quick powers of observation that,
while George Buckley lay Ill at the
Hillyers' and right upon the news OF
his fathers death and public exonera'
ton, a call from Mrs. Hillyer was, to
say the least. extraordinary. So Lyd'
las face became rigidly expectant as
she seated herself and endeavored to
participate calmly in the platitudes
that her mother, with her usual tact
managed to set going.
"I was powerful glad to hear" said
Mrs. Hillyer to the major, that the
New York specialist made favorable
report on yore case"
"Yes; he took quite load Of worry
of my mind. thank you, madam
The major always addressed ladies as
madam" whom he did not specially
like. 1t was a way he had Of leaving
the impression that he might or might
not remember their names. In the
same way he frequently greeted GER
tain men whom he considered beneath
him socially with vague How dc
you do, sir" However, his formality
of speech today had little effect on the
visitor. If he had called her by hel
given name. without prefix. she would
not have spoken what was on her mind
any sooner.
"Thar's no use beatin' the devil
around q bush, folkses," she began
lightly. 1--WE come here this mornin
to do my duty as l see 1t, an I hain''
a-goin' to waste time. The good book
says do unto others. as you'd have then
do unto you, an eff was actin as
wrong as you uns are I'd want folks tc
tell me of it. I'd want 'em to telegraph
ef they couldn't git to me right away
The Cranstons were all staring fixed
ly. The warm color was rising II
Lydia's face.
"Why, what's wrong, madam" asked
the major in establishment.
'Its all about yore daughter herr
an George Buckley" Mrs. Hillye
blurted out with firmness. Them tive
hain't bein' treated right. 1t may seen
like I'm takin' lots fer granted II
includin' her, but she don't look to mi
like d fool, an any woman would o'
fool to be adored by man lik'
she is by George Buckley an not wan
to treat i'm with common decency."
Lydia started to speak as she drew
herself up more erectly. but her father
prevented 1t.
81 trust you will pardon me, madam
he said, "for frankly saying that th'
subject isn't agreeable to u.s."
"Oh, yo're excusable," said the call
er. 81 wouldn't hold that agin you
but It won't hurt you to git down tt
rock bottom facts. l. believe yo'r'