The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1905-08-23

tribute from his regiment. Indeed, the
Crnnston family had Il decided air Of
the old regime about them. and It was
all the more noticeable because Of the
few families Of quite their own rank
at barley. LYDIA tnll. graceful and
| fair, was really Il pretty girl, and, what
was better. she WAS vtI'y we'll informed.
Mrs. DuEan had often remarked that
nearly all the young men-nnd those OF
the best DArlcy blood tOo--were actual
~ afraid Of The Virginia girl. and. while
she thought 1t most peculiar and de-
pl"rrl the condition of things, she nt-
tributed the lowborn George Buckley's
standing IN Lydin's estimation to the
fact that he could talk to her about
books an the like an had tho natu-
raj cheek of his class"
The central aisle was carpetetl, and
George stepped softly to one Of the
seats In the rear and sat down. Ho
WAS glad that his arrival WAS noted
only hy few. The young minister
would have been conspicuous In Il lar
ger place than Dnrley. He was six
feet four in height. very dark and re-
marknbly slight; his eyes were dark
blue, his features sharp, and he wore
Ills black hair long and was clean
Shuvcn.
When the service was over George
stood and waited for Mrs. IIillyer, who
was coming toward him, in her stiff
black silk, with II welcoming smile.
"Glad to see you out. young man,"
she said as she Joined him. "rhat
was Il r1p-you-up- the back, pay-up- or
,rtt .nYi np ,.pf -
You n Mr.. IIillyer ii better puss
around yorc bad accounts tomorrow,
an maybe you'll git the benefit Of 1t.
l seed old Peter Cnshel duckin' his
head II time or two"
George smiled because she did, more
than ut what she was saying, for the
Cranstons were passing. The major
and his wife bowed with their usual
cold dignity. but Lydia gave him one
Of her sweetest smiles. "Do you feol
hit?' she laughed, referring to the
preachers talk.
| Not exactly" he replied, coloring in
spite OF himself: but 1t was strong
wasn't it,"
You bet he wasn't hit, Miss Lydia"
spoke up Mrs. IIlllyer. "Ef everybody
paid thrr debts like this young man--
TO say nothin' OF the debts OF other
folks-Rrother Mayhem ii be out O
Sonen' to preach about"
ION. | know that, Mrs. IIilycr,"
iydin said, with Il laugh, and she went
on to her father. who was looking back
and frowning impatiently.
Outside the church, George and Mrs.
lllllyrr walked homcwnrd together.
She was In talkntivc mood, as usual
1T amt any O my business, George
Bucklry,' she said, but when it comes
to KNOWN how to treat women folks
you take the rag off the bush. 1 was
ticklcd back thar. You treated thut
gal jest right-Jcst right. to gnat's
heel"
"Why, what do you mean. Mrs. Hill
ycp!' asked George, quite ut sea as to
her meaning
swell. cf you don't know what
mean let It alone I've often wondered
what makes the women take to you so,
an I've about concluded It's beca'sa
they cnyn't run over you rough shod.
My Lord, George Buckley, this Is tho
or, an / acknowledge rd heard SO drat-
fust time ! ever seed you two togeth-
ted much about the high standin' o.
the CranstOns that almost lowed
you was q plumb fool to be goin' thar,
Dut-wcll, | may never know when Il
hen will take notion to set, but ef
YOU keep on actin with Lydia Gran
'ton like you did back thar in meetin'
you kin simply wrap her around yorc
little finger. She may hold out a long
Time, but she'll throw up the sponge In I
the end. All the kings hosscs caynt |
pun woman away from n man she |
respects an is sorry fer Mt the same |
'imc' an eff Pm any Judge-but rcck-
OIL talk too much"
Oh' Mrs. Hillyer, you are surely
1ou Know" the little woman ran
vi, , was a-settin' jest two benches
ne nen,nd ON, an when you come in I
s.so s,1 er switch 'er head n little to ono
s.uo an see you, mn then she looked
S.,",sht o., IN front Of 'er Jest as cf moth |
~ had happened. But some'n' Ind
n"ppencd to her face, fer seed II
ci'"nse' woman kin fool man aa
e"sy as bllndln' n chicken on tho roost
WIN torch, but she cayn't fool an
Olner woman. rhat'a Iyh1, +I,o,, at,>.a