Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-08-11

er. knew your name and put two and
two together. See? But, Of course,
since you say faint so, I'll deny 1t In
to-morrow's issue-just as you did,
plump and sharp-and put 1t down to
his being wuzzy from the crack on
the head"
McMannis jotted down something In
his note book, and then looked up with
knowing smile.
"Sort of interesting coincidence,
though, wasn't 1t, Miss Leslie-you
knowing him so we'll and all? But
there's more than one Leslie In the
town, suppose-and pretty name
1t is too, is Leslie. You couldn't spare
me a photograph now, could"
The portieres opened suddenly, and
McMannis was seized by the shoulders
and whirled about so rapidly that his
notebook few from his hand. At the
door, however, he twisted himself free
from Mr.. Harlan's grasp, and darting
to the other side of the room, settled
his disordered clothing. Then he
turned to his assailant.
"Well, JOSH" he began.
"Get-out!"
whats the matter with you, Josh
Harlan?"
Mr.. Harlan had his watch in his
hand.
T'I give you just 80 seconds to put
yourself out of the front door,"
McMannis promptly sat down on the
nearest chair.
81 guess you'll give me more than
that" he answered coolly.
In an instant Mr.. Harlan cleared
the space between them and stood
over the figure half crouching, half
sprawling in the chair.
Hear me-" he muttered in low tones
IF you don't instantly leave my house,
thisll be your last day or night on
the Guardian or any other paper In
this city. Get out before it's too late. "
"What'll you do IL don't? Get me
fired off the paper"
"I'll make this town too hot to hold
you. you scoundrel!"
McMannis smiled and wriggled about
as though to settle himself more COM
fortably.
You're hell Of fellow, amt you,
Josh Harlan? Well, don't go till /
get good and ready. See? What are
you bowling about, anyway? II you
don't think me good enough to talk to
Leslie"
Mr.. Harlan's arm swung, and his fst
swept McMannis to the floor.
Leslie darted to her fathers side and
held his arm as he reached for the
fallen chair to protect himself.
But Mr.. McMannis had no intention
of retaliation. He scrambled slowly to
his feet, picked up his notebook, and
edged toward the door.
"That settles you, Josh Harlan!-
That makes us quits and bit more,
guess" he muttered, as he rubbed the
rising bump on his cheek bone. "Per-
haps you think don't know anything.
Perhaps you imagine I'm not on to
your games in the Cunfederated-or
maybe you think l daren't lame you
you dirty cur! You're a wormy piece
right through, amt you? Not every
one would try to play 1t on Kennard
as you did. with Culver for q CATS
paw and your daughter Leslie for de-
coy. You thought you'd worked that
smooth, didn't you? But you should
have paid Culver better, Josh, and not
let him die in a hospital. | got his
dying confession though. all right-all
right. and I'm obliged to you for CIV
ing me permission to publish! You
must excuse me, Leslie. for thinking
you'd carry on pas dirty work 80 lar
as to engage youreslf to kennard. But
you fooled him right enough, and
you're a damn pretty decoy too. Gull
yer made out as though you didn't
know what pa wanted them papers
copied for. | guess he didn't know all
| do. But I'll make everything clear
to Kennard, If he don't croak tonight.
Excuse me, II hurry off now? So
long pa! So long. Leslie!"
McMannis backed himself slowly out
| Of the room.
Miss Harlan stood perfectly still for
some seconds after the front door
closed. Then she sank back on the
divan, and Mr.. Harlan suddenly burst
into a torrent of explanation and In
vective, ending in hysterical confes-
sion. self-accusation, and pleading for
| giveness.
| When Leslie could endure no more,
| she rush ed from the room and locked
herself in her own apartment.
TO BE CONTINUED.