Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-03-07
CHAPTER x.

The summer passed and the fall ap-
preached. The cotton, ripened, burst
its bolls and whitened on the brown
stalks till broad fields of snow lay on
all sides of Carnleigh. For awhile Ron
aid had put aside his studies to super
intend the picking, hauling and ginning
of his cotton. The weather had been
favorable and he had made good crop.
He had not chance5 to meet Mrs. Ian
caster again after the day she had
called, and about the middle of August
/ he learned that she had gone back to
charleston. His informant also limited
that Evelyn was to follow her in Octo-
Der. He was trying to forget certain
thoughts about her which had beat
themselves into his heart during the
summer, and though he felt sharp
pain over the announcement that she
was going away, he tried to look upon
it as providential.
There were other things. too. which
forced themselves upon his attention.
Reports were continually filtering
through the gossips to him TO the eff
feet that Sydney Hart had sworn to be
revenged on him for having made him
the butt Of ridicule on the night OF the
ATTEMPTED lynching. The newspapers
had given considerable space to the
matter, and the local correspondents,
being unknown to Sgd. dared TO write
what they would never have said to his
face. They made him out even more
desperate outlaw, If possible, than he
was, and added sting to these state
ments by making great hero OF Fan
shaw, who was described as having
every grace and virtue that could fall
to the lot of one man. Moreover, lit
tie parson, who was visiting in the
neighborhood, and was told before
hand that sgd was in an adjoining
county, had taken the affair as topic
for his discourse, and among other
things which reached sgd with almost
relegraphic rapidity, he said that sgd
was coward who was so much afraid
of his shadow that he did his evil deeds
at night. So when all these things had
ranked for two months in Syd's mind,
he decided that he could at once prove
his courage and get even by having It
out with Ronald Fanshaw.
One day Ronald was leaving the cot
ton gin, which was about mile from
the land he was renting, when Dave
rode up on top Of big load Of loose
cotton.
Hold on, thar, Ron," he called out.
IL want to speak to you."
Ronald paused and Dave got down
from the wagon and joined him.
Look heer, have you got anything to
shoot with?" was Dawes anxious ques-
ton.
"Not a thing" returned our hero;
why do you ask?'
Before answering Dave drew his re-
rolver from his hip pocket.
"Well," he said, as he proffered It,
you'd better take this, an be on the
safe side. sgd Hart and Thad Williams
Is in town. an they are due long heer
about now. sgd may pass you without
word; it's all OWN to his load O. rot
gut. He kinder likes me, an l told i'm
one day if he ever harmed you I'd make
Il sitter out'n his damn carcass, an he
knows l meant it; but the sight O. you
might make i'm rabid."
Ronald hesitated, but, on being
urged, he took the revolver and put 1t
into his pocket.
II don't want any row." he said. set
ting his lips firmly, "but will not be
shot down in public road"
Now you are talking like free
born American citizen" said Dave, and
he went off to unload his cotton.
Ronald had succeeded in banishing
from his mind the unpleasant: thought,
reused by Dawes fears, and had crossed
the creek bridge and was within sight
of the dormer windows of Carnleigh
whenI down the deserted road, he heard
a mans voice singing a rollicking song.
1t was Sydney Hart's voice, and its muf-
fed quality indicated inebriation. He
was still hidden from view by sharp
bend In the road, but moment later he
came into sight, slowly riding along on
horseback. He did not recognize Rom
aid till he was within some fifty yards
of him. Our hero saw him rein In his
horse suddenly and then whip out his
lrevolver. Ronald paused and put his