Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-09-15
CHAPTER I.
The Attorney.

men went in and out, and content
ed men leaned against the door-post,
disputing with old Pinckbeck, and
ruddy-cheeked men called occasion
ally to hear the news, and pale-fac-
ed widows, who wanted to raise hl-
tie money on house or land, ana no"
and then a fresh, sweet young girl
saw, for instance, beautiful Lucy Will
lets-came to give some message
from her mother, whose little prop
erty was all in his hands.
It would have done you good 10
see the sudden brightness that illu-
minated Peter Pinchbeck's counten-
ance at sight of this glorious little
beauty-if it had only been a some
what different countenance; but when
a nose which Is permanently GRIM
son. and cheeks that are perpetualiy
red, and eyes that are always 1nham-
ed. take on more light than color
one is reminded instantly OF a conta-
grafton, and not Of that supremest OF
all passions-the passion OF innocent
love.
It happened, one day, that strang-
er came to Pottstown. It also hap
pened that, strolling through one OF
its narrow, picturesque streets say
picturesque, because one side was
not as yet built up with modern
French-roof villas in wood, and there
were enormous posters Of every con-
innnnnaiUohlp
medicine under heaven staring one
In the face for a mile or so-this
stranger saw the following notice.
For Sale-The premises and all
effects therein contained of the WI
dow Willets-a fair two-story house,
nine rooms good barn on the prem
ises, 5000 feet Of land, and all the
furniture, at auction, on Thursday
next, the 18th Of July. To be sold
under hammer to the highest bid
der"
The stranger, a stalwart, hand
some man Of forty, or thereabout
ran his eye over this notice at least
four times. His demeanor, had only
any one been looking, might have been
considered singular, to say the least.
At last he set his lips hard togeth-
er, and all the color seemed to die out
of his bronzed face. Then he lifted
his hat and wiped the great drops OF
perspiration that all at once gather
ed at the roots Of his hair and began
to roll down. Then. when he had re-
I, ,t, Az n
ually together, as If there was some
thing for them to close on.
He stepped out from the shadow
Of the great branching elm and looked
at the sign over the low doorway. A
very unpretentious sign-simply, Pc
ter Pinchbeck, Attorney at law.
And then he made straight for the
office.
Peter Pinchbeck looked up. His
rheumy eyes watered and frightened
at sight of this stranger. There was
business in his face.
Morning SIR" he said, ducking his
large head, and half rising from his
chair.
Good morning, sir!" said the
stranger, with a clear, strong accent.
"I see there's cottage to be sold"
"Yes. sir-a snug, tight little place.
Just the thing for a good country
residence, sir-just the thing for a
man with a little money to invest.
There's the plan, sir. Won't you look
1t over?"
"Humph! Was the widow hard
pushed?"
VERY, sir. Can be got at bar
gain-as pretty little piece Of prop
erty as you would wish to see"
WAS there a mortgage?"
"Yes-foreclosed a month ago."
Did you hold it?"
YES; I've had it for a year or
two"
And she tried her best to pay,
suppose?"
"Oh, we'll. she wanted time-they
always do. 1 gave it. Then she want
ed a little more. Why, sir, she might
extend it till eternity if she would"
The singular look that accompani-
ed this statement infiamed the Gu
riosity Of the stranger.
IT don't understand you, sir" he
said; and his fingers came together
again.
"Of course, you don't. I can only
say there's pretty girl in the case.
"Oh! Her daughter"
Her daughter. A mighty nice
young filly!"
You speak Of her as If she were
no more than a bit of horse-fiesh." !"
"Oh, aye, that's my way. We mer
of business have an off-hand manner
that men Of the world understand.
dare say you do" and he laughed
with an impudent swagger that made
the blood of his listener tingle.
And if this girl had married yol
Il suppose that's what you mean II
plain words-you wouldn't have fore
closed ?"
You take-that's just what
mean-every time" was the coarse
reply. But. as she won't take thu
chance Of saving her mother and he
home-the proud, cantankerous lit
tie huzzy-why, she may go to thu
deu-" Another second, and he wa
spluttering and gasping and struggl
ing under the heavy hand Of tn
stranger, who had grasped him b!
the throat, and, with livid face anC
heaving chest and set teeth, pinned
him to the wall.
"Mur-mur-der!" shouted the at
torney. as. after writhing desperate
ly. he slipped from under the other
aggressive hand. What do yo'
mean sir to attack a respectable maj
the only lawyer in this village, sir
Death and destruction" And tor
rent of vituperation followed.
The stranger stood his ground
quite cool and composed, though hi
lips were set and white, and in hi
ewes was a dangerous glare; but h
only said in the most indifferen