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

affable mood, and the atmosphere Of
the sanctum sanctorum itself, when he
did reach II, was not calculated to re-
store his geniality.
Mr.. Harlan's reception of his visit
or was frigidly polite, but entirely free
from cordiality. Neither was his fund
Of Information excessive. Had he
heard any talk of a combination in
volving John Kennard's Sons? Mr..
Harlan wondered II his visitor had,
and answered evasively. Why did Nc
Mannis ask? Because he was interest
ed in protecting the workmen there.
Mr.. Harlan smiled the quiet, irritating
smile of which he was master, and
gave other evidences of being frankly
amused. 1t was easy to see Peter was
new at his business. he observed, since
he proposed wasting his time in trying
to work against John Kennard, whom
everybody knew gave his workmen all
they wished and would give any agita-
tor more than he wanted. 1t was some
what comic, Mr.. Harlan commented, to
think Of Peter McMannis posing as a
champion Of downtrodden labor, and
his selection of Kennard's men as his
wards completed the comedy.
The expression on McMannis' face,
as his patron joked and ridiculed him,
was sinister in the extreme. Almost
any other man would have taken warn
ing at once, but Joshua Harlan gave
no heed until the delegate-at-large
snapped out that 1t was evident some
body had his own reasons for wanting
Kennard left alone.
To his utter surprise Mr.. Harlan ad-
mitted it. accompanying the admission
with sneer which was at once a
threat and challenge. His change OF
manner was as complete as 1t was sud-
den. From amused contempt 1t passed
to cool, commanding scorn, and from
familiar jesting his tone turned to a
domineering insistence. II the former
had irritated McMannis, the latter
reused every slumbering devil within
him. until he fairly rocked with anger.
II almost seemed as though Mr.. Harlan
was bent on enraging his visitor to the
last possible degree.
Yes, he was interested In the Con-
federated Machine company, Mr.. Har-
Ian repeated. and 1t was just as well
McMannis knew It. Why? So as not
to run counter to his patrons plans.
Suppose he didn't approve those plans.
He must approve them. Must he!
Certainly. How could he do otherwise,
what would he dare do?
1.-THE visitor, bursting with anger
mentally put price on each sneer and
insinuating infection. and responded
with question asked with half-closed
eyelids and an attitude, part crouch,
part cringe. What was there In 1t for
him! "
The answer was q laugh, low mock
Ing laugh mingled with note Of as
tonishment and wrath.
There was another question to be
asked, and the labor agitator shot an
ugly glance at his companion as he
put Il. Was Mr.. Harlan looking fol
trouble? What did the walking dele
gate, mean? The question was repeat:
ed. Did Mr.. Harlan want trouble? L
not, he'd better talk plain and qulcf
to the speaker. Mr.. Harlan would tall
both plainly and quickly. The mar
wasn't born who could blackmail him
and the last man in the world WHO'D
better attempt 1t was the rum-soakec
individual who was polluting his Office
for the last time. 1t was well Peter
McMannis should understand with
whom he was dealing. Did he thinF
to frighten or dictate to man OF Mr.
Harlan's caliber? Cowards frightened
nobody, and 1t required men OF abilit,
to dictate. Let him keep the company
of those with whom bullying was ef'
fective and blackmail was easy. It was
waste Of words to talk about graft
tude or obligation. Those expressions
were meant for the ears Of gentlemen
He would talk language which ours
cOulu uIlucTSldhu, dhu Sho "~~ 49,
word that the honorable walking dele
gate had better carry away with him
The slightest interference with Johr
Kennards workmen or anything else
which interested Mr.. Harlan. woulc
bring Mister Peter McMannis up witt
round turn. Let him mark that well
Mr.. Harlan did not propose to speaF
twice. The Office door was open DOW
McMannis would do we'll to go before
Mr.. Harlan touched his bell.
Alone once more in his room. the
vice president Of the Milling Compa
nies settled his cravat and gazed witt
unruf1ed satisfaction in the glass.
Cad, II there isn't storm mp al
Kennards tonight. I don't know my
man." he murmured to himself. as M
smilingly pressed pearl pin inte
place.
At the same moment in the outside
Office Peter McMannis was studying
bankers and brokers' directory opened
at the letter T. The name Trnndel
was in heavy type, and he quickl!
made a note Of the address.
TO BE CONTINUED.