Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-08-23
He voiced no denial. What was the

use? The old woman, crude as she
was. had known him from the first pull
sation of the life that was now raging
like q mad torrent within him. In his
minds eve he had glimpse Of the vii
lage church, packed to the doors with
an eager, expectant crowd. He saw
the flowers on the altar. There was
profound hush. The Cranston carriage
had driven up. The governor of the
state was assisting two ladies to alight.
All eyes were on the party Of four as
they came in and moved unconcernedly
to the Cranston pew. Lydia and the
guest of honor were walking together.
She was being admired, envied.
George Buckley bowed his head; the
red light from the fire touched his
powerful neck and shoulders; he was
sinking into the deepest ooze Of de-
spair.
"AIind you, I'm not sayin' one word
agIn the GAL" Mrs. Buckley broke into
his reflections abruptly. I'm fact. I
like 'er. 1 can't tell you how much I
10 like 'er. Folks may swear they
aate kings an queens beca'se they
stand above 'em. but they'll feel hon
pred by the notice o. royal folks. That
may he one reason like Lydia Gran.
ston. don't know. I'm only human,
but Jest feel like she's Of different
order. Do you know the time you in
troduced me to 'er? Well, woman
knows a woman, no matter how differ
ent they've been raised, an seed that
she was surprised toto see that | WIS
- well. jest like am, but tux a
strong likin' to 'er fer the way she
acted"
THE way she acted" George Buck.
lev spoke under his breath, but the wo-
man heard.
Yes: | could tell she was doin' 'er
level best to make me feel easy, an 1t
made me like 'er. Then the next
time
The next timeT George was really
surprised. Did you meet her againT'
Mrs. Buckley was silent; her eyes had
fallen. She had said more than she
intended.
Did you say you met her again,
mother-again?'
Mrs. Buckley looked up resolutely. II
never intended to mention that" she
said, IAN I don't know as ort to now,
bein', as it seems. she never told you
about 1t. But it was when she was
over at Shirley Springs last week. One
mornln' she come here to see me, an,
George, as God is my judge. | never
spent a happier hour in all my life.
don't know how 1t was. but she Jest
had q way O. maxim me feel good. Ell
she ever thought she was better'n
common folks. nobody could a told It.
was piecin' a scrap quilt, an she
set down an set to work on itszI never
seed the like. Her little, ,slim.s zphite
fingers Jest moved IKE llghtnfn'. An
talk! She could think O more cheer
full things to say than anybody / ever
seed. 1t was that way till nigh L.
an then she left. George kissed
mew
Buckley was staring, an unfathom'
able expression in his big, yearnine
eyes.
"She kissed you, mother? God bless
her! And he rose and put his arms
about the old woman's neck. His eyes
were glistening.
Eyes, she did twice, out at the gate
never intended to tell you about that
fer IL didn't think it was exactly the
sort o. thing toto make you take yore
mind off'n 'er, but she did 1t, an to
my dyin' day I'll always think well OF
'er an stand up fer 'er. They may
make 'er marry that man or some
other in Their circle, but fer about one
hour me an her was on the level Gods
been tryin' fer centuries to bring folks
up to. Yes; she may not be strong
enough to 60 her way with all then
ropes tied to 'er, but eff she's ever 6
mother she'll be good un-with sou
an heart. like 'er, George, an
don't blame you fer acceptin' hel
friendship. Eff / was a man / would
eff that was all the crumb she ever
drapped my way. Lovin' woman like
that's jest ambition. an ambitions
right an upliftin."
Mrs. Buckley was looking at her son
but he had turned his face away. he
stood still, his features working, hit
strong breast heaving unanimously.
"The Truitts are a-havin' world ol
trouble with jeff" said Mrs. Buckley
irrelevantly. Somebody set fire tt
Their barn last night. They managed