Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-08-11
Peter McMannis
New York Guardian

The names told her nothing except
that the caller was reporter from
the most INSCRIPTIONS journal In the
city.
There must be some mistake, Per
kins. Tell the gentleman Mr.. Harlan
Is out and say you don't know when
he will be at home"
Eyes, miss"
The man left the room, but returned
almost Immediately with q message
that there was no mistake. 1t was
Miss Harlan the visitor wished to see
upon business of the utmost impor-
tance.
Leslie shook her head with a puzzled
air and rose from her chair.
VERY we'll, Perkins. Tell him I'll
be down In a few moments. And, Per-
kins. stay in the pantry until the gen.
tleman goes"
"Yes, miss"
Leslie's first impulse was not to see
this reporter, but on second thought
she decided 1t was better to afford a
real interview than to have one in
vented. Again and again she had
heard her father condemn people for
being rude to reporters who were
merely performing their duties with
out being in any way responsible for
the policy or character Of their pa
per. Still she had an indescribable
dread Of meeting this man. What
could he want to know from her that
necessitated q call at II o'clock at
night? Was it possible her holding
of stock in the Machine Companies
had become known, or that her inter-
view with her father at his Office had
been overheard? II so, what could she
say to stop further inquiry? However,
there was no use puzzling over such
questions until they arose. The man
might be merely belated society re-
porter. But that was scarcely prob
able. Society news was not likely to
require q night call, and 1t was GER
tainly not business of the utmost i'm
portance." Could anything have hap
pened to her father? Leslie hurried
downstairs.
How'd do, Miss Harlan? Glad to
meet you at last"
Leslie drew back instincuvely from
the outstretched hand and McMannis
laughed uneasily as he noticed the
movement.
Suppose you think I'm sort OF
fresh ?" he queried, half-apologetically,
"but know your pa so well, 1t seems
as though I knew you, too. However.
no harm done, guess?"
Miss Harlan bowed gravely, and mo-
tioning the visitor to a chair, looked
at him inquiringly.
Thanks, don't know but l will sit
down. Been on my feet nearly all
day. Not that l mind, seeing how |
got 'em all dead to rights this time.
There wasn't a man Jack Of 'em had
word about 1t in their last edition,
and | got the whole thing in. It's a
clean beat all the way through. Even
when they got there, they were dead
slow. found Kennard's body my
self"
| He started at Leslie's cry.
What! You don't mean to say you
haven't heard Well, this Is luck, y
he continued 81 mean of course it's
awfully sad and all that, but | sup
posed they'd get here before me. 1t
was in our nine o'clock. See here!"
McMannis pulled a crumpled news
paper from his pocket, smoothed 1t
out and held 1t up with conscious
pride. Stretched across the front page
in red letters six inches high was the
word
ASSASSINATION! ="
Leslie gazed at the haring letters
In fascinated horror. She could see the
word and appreciate its meaning, but
beyond that her thought stopped. For
q moment her brain was numbed and
her nerves alone responded to the
voice speaking close beside her. Then
suddenly consciousness Of everything
that had happened and was happen
ing returned to her. A deadly loath-
ing of this whisky-smelling creature
crept over her, but she fought 1t down
sufficiently to whisper:
"Mr. Kennard-John Kennard-is
dead?"
mo, he amt dead yet. Guess you
didn't read the second line Of our head
ing"
McMannis started to unfold his
hideous sheet again, but Leslie mo-
toned him to stop.
"All right. was going to show you
that it reads:
ASSASSINATION! !!
Is what strikers will have to an
swer to If John Kennard dies!'
Now don't take on about it. | guess
he amt so badly bust up but that"
Leslie rose to her feet and stood for
an instant swaying from side to side
but as McMannis put out his arm to
support her, she steadied herself and
remained perfectly still. She had but
one idea-to get rid Of this man-and
to accomplish the result she made 4
supreme effort.
81 am much obliged-my father will
be much obliged for your-you'
prompt notification. l will now ash
you to excuse me-"
Don't mention it. But wouldn't yol
like, maybe, to go TO the hospltal
He's up at Roosevelt by now, guess
II you say the word you can hop rlgn
into my cab-l've got one at the ooo'
and"
Leslie stopped him with a gesture.
please excuse me-"
"Of course-of course. It's just q;
you like. You'll be up there first thing
tomorrow. suppose? But ther
everybodyll have it. You couldn'
give me a few pointers tonight. coulc
you? You see. it's my beat and ie
like to clear the deck"
Leslie stared at him Incompetence
ingly and McMannis continued.
81 only want just point or two to-
night-how long you've been engaged
when the weddings to be and any TO-
mantle episode which'd interest the