Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-09-02
CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER ALA.
I'm their arrival at home that morn
ing the two girls separated IN
the hall, Lydia going up to her
" room with grave look on her
face. and Miss Cosby turning into the
parlor to take off her wraps. Mrs.
Cranston Joined her Immediately.
81 was in the summer house and saw
you coming" she said eagerly. Il
thought I'd give Lydia a chance to
go upstairs. for 1 am crazy to hear
what you have to say. Well, did you
meet the paragonT'
Miss Cosby rubbed her kid glove
down from her wrist toward the tips
Of her slender fingers. Meet him.
by large majority, assure you. We
walked right into his den. Your scheme
worked, Mrs. Cranston. As soon as we
missed the major uptown told Lydia
that you said he might be down at the
grain warehouse, and she ordered the
carriage there. I have one thing to
ask you, Mrs. Cranston"-Kitty was
smiling-"what are the rates Of board
in this town.
RATES of board" exclaimed Mrs.
Cranston. what on earth do you
want to know that for?"
"I'm going to pay my board while
I'm with you," said the girl, with mock
seriousness. 81 know you invited me
down here to help you out Of your
mess, and I have washed my hands Of
the whole business. I'm out Of 1t from
now on-out. Do you understand"
"Oh. Kitty. do be serious-don't be
silly"
"I'm out Of 1t. 1 tell you." persisted
he girl. pulling at the other glove. II
won't work for anybody that don't tote
fair. Why didn't you tell me this
Buckley was q regular Apollo In a
business suit? Why, l never felt In
my life as l did with him. l may be
romantic, cracked, soft or something.
but I simply stood and stared at him,
unable to say thing that was SEN
sible. Besides, we were all upset-ex-
cited to death, and"-
Excited" gasped Mrs. Cranston.
"Why, what about?'
"Oh, about that White Cap affair down
there last night. You never heard half
of 1t. The major hinted that 1t was
only some drunken mountain rowdies.
personal friends Of Mr.. Buckley's, when
it was-oh. only little thing like a
great, tall god Of man standing IN
door daring q mob Of fifty strong to
pass in after the man they were pursu-
ing! The man in the door with the re-
volver and the blazing eyes was
George Buckley, and the little, dried
up man he was offering his life for
was no relation to him and man he
could not be congenial with"
kitty, you surprise me-" said Mrs.
Cranston.
you'll be more than surprised be-
fore this thing Is over with, If I'm any
Judge Of human nature" Kitty laugh
ed. "Why, Mrs. Cranston, you are bat
Ting with Niagara falls in a dugout
when you are trying to keep two peo-
pie like Lydia and that young man
from admiring each other, especially
Lydia or any real woman" She then
proceeded to describe minutely all that
had taken place In the Office. At times
her voice would clog and her eyes fill
to overhowing. "And the beauty Of 1t
was" she ended, "that the hero Of 1t all
was mad enough to kick the people
who were sobbing out his praises"
Lydia heard all that" said Mrs.
Cranston.
"Yes, she heard it all. You have al
ways thought she was proud and
naughty and cold. Huh! She melted
all over and ran out at the eyes. She
doesn't know she's In love with him.
She doesn't comprehend 1t any more
than baby comprehends life. He fol-
lowed us outside to apologize-just
think Of that-apologize! He tried to
laugh 1t off. I introduced myself. I
had to. Lydia was acting as If she
were In dream. She was asking ques-
tions about the exact spot where he
had stood, as reverently, Mrs. Gran
ston, as a girl looking for the grave
Of a soldier lover. Then the father Of
the rescued boy came out and went all
over it again. I've been to plays that
moved ME, but always. away down In
my heart lay the knowledge that it
was only acting, but that this morning
was the real thing. They say all the
world loves a lover. was asked to
thwart that pair, but when saw those
two together-he with his great, hun
cry, dreamy eyes that seemed full Of
eternal suffering with love for her ac-
tually burning In their depths. and she
with her sweet. wondering face-1-1
felt like an egg sucking dog! wanted
to put out my hands and draw their
heads together. Love is beautiful al
ways. 1t was like glimpse Of heaven
this morning. l always considered
Lydia a strong woman. admire her
more now than ever. All along she
has seen what there is in this man and
been trying to give him simple justice"
Mrs. Cranston groaned aloud and sat
down, covering her face with her hands.
I reckon We'll have to send her of"
she said.
"Send her off? Where to? Send her
to Mars, and she'll still see his eyes
and hear his voice and-and know she
has wronged him for something he
can't help. Think Of that. You know,
after all, he can't help what his father
did Huh. II man like that adored
-. bo doos ydio CronStOn and