The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1905-08-09

'lncn RtS me II YOU come 10 On
understanding, said Buckley. II don't
know exactly how to size you up. Ive
been thinking about you all this even
ing, and II l don't understand you bet
Ter than l have done for several years
You and will part. You can keep the
money Eve made and saved up, and
If l could do it I'd throw the education
You gave mo In your face. My intclli-
gencc has been insultcd. You have
done all these things for me under the
prntcnso OF love, but 1t was not that.
Now let's understand each other"
liillycr turned as white as death
could have made him. Ills eyes sank
to the floor, and, with Il halting step, lie
went to the young mans bed across
the room and sat down on the edge
ofiE
"You (o me Il great wrong, George" "
he fnltercd "If you knowed my
heart
swell. that's all I'm asking. I want
| to know what IT all means. tell you
I'm no fool. It's not whisky in mo
talking either for I've puzzled over it
for years. an now that this thing has
huDpcncl-an' l don't care whether
stay In your town Nnywny--1'm Eoin'
to be told the truth. What did YOU
give me my education for, and this
start In the world? Why, rs look
at YOU gazing at me now 1t seems to
me y"u are the very pcrSoniication Of
the fate that has mockrd mo ever since
l WAS Old enough to know l was alive
" ~ hn wifi
Can't You TALK"
lllllycr rose to his feet. I'm goin'
to leave you. George" he said "To-
morrow we'll talk this over. You arc
In no condition to-
Taking Il swift, steady stride for
ward. the young man laid his hands on
the merchants shoulders and forced
him back to his seat on tho bed. "NO,"
he said; "you don't leave here tonight
until you have answered my question
and satisfied me-"
liillyrr leaned forward, his face in
his hands. and groanch
"rhcn. George, III he obliged to
speak Of something that has not passed
my lips In thirty years. but maybe it is
best fer me TO do it, considcrin' every
thing. Set down. I kin talk better If
you won't stand 50 close an look ut
me SO straight. You're had yorc trou.
bic, an cf You have the heart think
you have you'll be sorry fer me. an me
an You maybe will be trllcr friends in
the future. Gf me time. III git IL
out"
George Buckley threw himself into
the chair ut the table. There WAS Il
pause. a train PASSED on the track
within twenty yards Of the rear door
or the warehouse, and the Mocr shook.
a. pistol shot was heard, followed by
the ycipinG Of Il wounded dog nt the
other end OF the street. The town slept
"Gcorgo' began the merchant in y
strange husky voice. you upe now
mectin' the biggest trouble OF yoru
whole life. was jest about yorc age,
nm everything was about rs promiGin'.
when my trouble overlook me. George"
the old man gulped-"did you over
hear that I--killcd a fcilcr jest at the
close o tho WARP"
Buckley stared stoadily. his brows
raised.
81 think-ycs, l knew about it. But
didn't think you The young man
seemed unable to formulate his
thoughts in;o words. II knew. you
were acquitted and that nobody blamed
YOU"
es' was acquitted. but hOw.~ah
now! You wonder why you was SO
'ectcd to 50 through yorc present trial,
tn I've wondered many an many u
ume why mine was put OH me. The
whole world thinks I don't hotbop
about 1t, but few folks know nbout tho
'erlhlh that's gnawin' ut the secret
"ouis OF their neighbors Why. nv
own wife Don't know my feal1n'a i
reckon she thinks I'm as happy as tho
average man. That's the trouble with
)est-)est that sort Of Il thing. 1t hain't
what folks will dare mention to the
person concerned, nm somehow bo
never Kin bring 1t up said ia never
had 1T mentioned to me- but did
ABOUT five year ago. I'd been maxim
sort or pet Of little, yollcr haired
chi id' stoppin' ut the Johnston house
with her ma fer tho summer. an one
day, settin' up thar in tho ofllce, ] tuck
or on my knee. She sorter sauirmcd
OFF, an when asked 'er what was tho