Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-08-15
CHAPTER XXXIV.

Leslie sat al her desk, but the paper
before her was untouched save where
the dry pen in her hand had prickec
strange patterns-circles. curves anc
angles intermingled like the tangled
thoughts they followed.
Her father was trickster
a conspirator! He was worse. Ht
was q treacherous friend. 1t had been
impossible for her to believe 1t even
when she saw him unnerved by sud
den accusation, Historically pleading
extenuation and pitifully asking par
don. II was impossible to disbelieVe
II when she heard the denials, contra
dictions, disclaimers. and retractions
that poured from his lips the moment
he recovered from the shock or dis
closure. She had but one answer to
his torrent of words-a demand for the
instant return of the authority given
him q few days previous. And he had
refused. How dare he refuse her any
thing after employing her to perfect
his treachery! All her love for him
seemed to have withered and died be-
fore the one furions blast Of rage which
that refuse kindled.
She was no longer angry. She did
not hate him. But the power she had
put into his hands should not. must
not be used against John Kennard!
What could she do? Suppose she went
to Maddox and asked his advice? She
would have to tell him the whole
story-the whole pitiful, humiliating
story.
Leslie's checks famed at the
thought. and her dry ewes ached for
the relief Of tears that would not
come.
-" II she could revoke the
power delegated to her father, would
she have the courage to take any fur
ther steps? 1t might involve public
scandal; 1t could not fail to cause pri-
vate gossip. What would John Ken
pard think of the woman who openly
defed her own father in order to as
sist a man who had no claim upon
her. and that man her fathers oppo-
nent' There would be no concealing
her purpose. II would be plain as the
light of day. And for II there could
be but one explanation. No man-no
matter how modest or self-deprecia-
tive-could avoid an inference so forced
upon him. Unless the whole story
were told? But II could not be told!
He would ba generous-she knew 1t,
He would look away with manly hon
or-he would be chivalrous in every
way-but she would be at his feet and
there conld he nothing for her but
pitv. And ritv would kill her!
Was the need for action so imper-
tive. after all? Was II not merely a
business quarrel? Was she not plan
ming. with q woman's impulsiveness, a
move for which there was no neces-
sity. and which might only result in
making her ridiculous? Were the
votes she was proposing TO give John
Kennard really hers? II her father
purposed making bad use OF his vote
was not this between him and his
COHSCl6UES. "OuIu ~ ~
appropriating his power under cover
OF a merely technical right? But ne
had said the shares were hers, and the
failure Of the Milling Companies ex-
planned why he desired to have no
property in his name. She had more
than a technical right. But II she did
not exercise it. what then? The COM
pany wonld still go on. and Yes, she
remembered. John Kennard would be
ruined. And the men and women for
whom he was fighting? Could she ever
face him again il. with the power ia
prevent his enemies from succeeding
she did not use It? Would not this
forever stand between them? Would
she not hear the accusa tion interrupt
ing every word he spoke, mocking her
every answer?
No. these were her thoughts. not
his! She dishonored him by hesita-
tion-dishonored the man she loved!
Yes, let her say It bravely. And the
man she loved would some day know
that he had no better friend. And
meanwhile? And afterward? Well
what matter!
Circles, curves and angles, crossing
and recrossing one another, intertwin-
ing, separating, ending TO begin anew
forming q maze whose secret was
young girls heart.
"Wbat's the reason YOU can't accept
that power?"
Mr.. Trundell's voice had the bully
ing tone likely to silence a timid man
before a crowded room.
What's the reason you can't accep'
it," he repeated. Mr.. Harlan gave
me this proxy when he was callee
away to Duluth. What more do yo'
want%
There's another proxy reVoKlns
this, offered by Mr. Maddox" replle'
the teller, lowering his voice.
Mr. Trundell snatched the paper hel'
out to him, and muttered somethins
which made the waiting stockholder'
strain their ears.
Maddox pushed his way to the table
where Trundell and the election orncia
were talking.
II call your attention, Mr.. Teller
he remarked, calmly, ito the fact ina
my proxy Is dated yesterday, and SUI
percedes any of previous date n
added, quietly, as he sat down.
Mr.. Trundell glanced angrily at th'
speaker aud examined the papers more
closely. Suddenly he whipped out
fountain pen and rapidly inserted
date.
What are you doing there?"
Maddox sprang to his feet ahe
reached for the paper, but Trundel
pulled 1t away.
I'm filling in a blank date, as lV'
right to do, Mr.. Lawyer. Harlan
daughter didn't date her proxy, so I've
done it for her. The dates today!
II demand that that power be re-
jected!" exclaimed Maddox. you've
seen him insert the date, which Il
enough to invalidate the instrument
but It is expressly revoked by my
x.-bio IL inuolin mat.