Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-07-25

curtly.
"A few moments conversation, sir
That's all. upon my word"
The answer was given in a veal
voice, striving to be steady.
| Kennard took out his watch, glanced
at It and at the speaker, and ther
stood waiting with the watch still rest
ing in his open palm.
Go ahead"
mot here, sir-I-I couldn't here
Here or nowhere"
Gould I-could the door be shut
sir, so $50 I could tell you-so ws
could speak in private"
Kennard's lip curled contemptuously
"Are you armed?" he asked sneer'
ingly.
Culver sank down in the chair. his
right hand feebly clutching at his side
I'm dying, Mr.. Kennard." he whis'
pered.
There was no mistaking the express
sion Of Culver's face The man was GER
tainly Ill, and bore every indication ol
having suffered much. Kennart
stretched out his hand and closed the
door, but there was no compassion In
his voice when he spoke again. The
sight of this traitor seemed to dry uI
all natural sympathy.
go on!"
Culver reused himself, as the harsh
words followed the closing of the door
but for a few moments he sat silently
staring at the man waiting, watch In
hand.
"Mr. Kennard," he began at last
"T've tried to see you every day for the
last week, but ] couldn't get strength
enough. Once or twice I thought ID
waited too long. But I'm here at last
thank God! I'm not going to tell you
what I've been through since-sinct
I-since ] left the factory. You car
look at me and see something of the
h ell that's had me. I'm dying, but In
| not afraid of death. I'm only afrait
of living the last year again. But I've
wife. The worst thing she ever die
in her life was TO stick to me, and be
the mother Of my children. I don't
want to go without word for her and
them, and l thought, Mr. Kennard, may.
be you'd feel a little different about me
since you and Mr.. Harlan made It up"
"Since Mr.. Harlan and made 1t up?'
| Kennard's question was spoken with
dry lips and a haunting sensation OF
having heard a somewhat similar
phrase not long ago. ..
81 know you and Mr.. Harlan are on
the same side now, sir, and I thought
perhaps you'd forgive me, same as you
done him, and keep my wife and kids
from worse than death. God knows
they've been punished enough for me.
Mr.. Kennard."
Culver rested his head on his arm,
and gave way to the hard, racking
sobs of physical exhaustion unrelieved
by tears.
Kenuard gazed at the man as though
fascinated, and then glanced away to
The small window at the end of the
room. When he spoke again, 1t was
without turning his head.
why don't you ask Mr.. Harlan to
help you?" ..s. ,.
at wouldn't be any use, sir. He's
paid me more than he promised. He's
hard man, Mr.. Kennard. You know
that"
What was your whole arrange
ment? Everything-from the begin
ming"
The question was asked abstractedly
as though the speaker was thinking
of something else. 1t was several Sec
onds before Culver answered.
"You always treated me fair, Mr.
Kennard," he began. 81 know 1t.
knew it then. But I saw people with
little money making big piles. and
never could save enough to get a
round sum together. Then came the
accident and Miss Harlan taking In.
terest in US. That was the beginning
That was how I met Mr. Harlan. Fol
a long time didn't suspect they want
ed-What did you say. sir? Excuse
me. thought you spoke. For a lone
time 7 didn't suspect they wanted any
thing, until one day he met me In
the city and asked me II was ready
to make IS 900. I didn't agree then
Mr.. Kennard-I confess I had time tc
think and I took 1t, but finally
agreed toto do what they wanted
and one morning she gave me the In
structions and"
"She? Who?"
''Miss Harlan, sir"
"You-lie!"
The words burst out in whisper 81
| savage that Culver shrank back ant
lifted his hand. as though to ward or
q blow. Kennard took step forward
and stood close to the huddled figure.
Before God, Mr.. Kennard." tn
words came in gasps, I'm speaking
the truth. She gave me the list her
self. It was written in her own hand
and | was to"
"You lie! Get out OF this house
Quick, before I count three"
"Mr Kennard-"
"One!"
"Mr. Kennard, let me show you
"Two!"
Kepnard swung the door open, an
his hands twitched as Culver stag
gered to his feet, skunk. by him, an
tottered out into the night.
For the next two hours time an
events ceased to be for John Kennaro
He sat on the divan In his room star
ing at familiar objects without recog
milton. neither thinking nor dream
ing; conscious but oblfvious. Vine
at last he reused himself, 1t was I
answer Maddox's ring of the bell.
"Well, have had a hunt for yo
and no mistake" began Dave. bee
all over this darned town after you
TO the Thespians. to the Unity-eWery
where, but last of all, Of course I
| Del's. where 7 got your message.
you've heard the news too! Who toi
YOU? Good Lord. what's the use {
looking like that? It's only ngn