Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-09-18

er, father! Mother, come here-fath-
er has come back from the dead!"
The woman thus appealed to stag
gered to her feet, still regarding him
with bewildered eyes and dizzy brain.
John, John! and you were killed,
they told me-" she cried, in hollow
tones.
Yes; 1 was taken up for dead
| from under the wrecked cars. For
weeks and weeks 1 was in the hospi-
tal Afterward 1 saw the report of
my death and let it go. 1 was dead
in a certain sense-I felt myself
ruined man. You had bid me never
come back; and when 1 was dismiss
ed, cured, having taken care to con-
ceal my name, l went to California,
and tried to forget that I was human.
But there were good influences
thrown about me at last. l worked
like a slave, determined to call no
man master l conquered myself af-
ter years and years of bootless trial,
and then 1 resolved to come back
and, if 1 found you as 1 left you,
make a new home for you, and give
you back through Heavens grace,
new husband and a better man."
John, have you forgiven me?"
asked his wife, in a faint voice, as she
clung to his arm.
What had 1 to forgive? You were
the sufferer Thank God I've come
back rich, and we will try and forget
the past. 1 bought this place because
wanted to give that brute out there
lesson that will last him his life
time, 1 reckon. He thinks he is hav-
ing his revenge. Come downstairs
with me-"
Gladly they went, beaming faces
and Frightening eyes taking the place
of pallor and tears. One by one the
groups within doors comprehended.
The crowds outside heard a ringing
cheer. Louder and more eXultant 1t
grew. They had prepared themselves
for the sorrowing exit Of the widow
and her daughter, but an answering
smile broke over their faces as the
three appeared on the little vine-cov-
cred porch. Peter Pinchbeck was
talking volubly, but at this sight he
stood dumb, his mouth half open and
his rheumy eyes starting forward.
Friends" said the stranger, in his
deep tones, II bought this house as
gift for my wife, who, with my
daughter, you have long known.
Some of you remember that l left
home ten years ago"
The dullest of the throng compre-
hended now, and on the instant there
arose a deafening cheer, in which the
very babies seemed to join. Hurrah
followed hurrah, caps were thrown
.p, handkerchiefs waved, the men
shouted themselves hoarse, and then
laughed themselves clear again in or
der to raise another cheer.
In the midst of all this glee and
rudely expressed joy stood Peter
Pinchbeck, like a grim and evil spirit,
his face ashen and his teeth set. He
had never been a favorite, and most
of the townspeople knew the history
of the mortgage, and the sight Of
pretty smiling Lucy, so radiant in
her new-found happiness, turned the
current of their thoughts at once.
Three groans for Peter Pinch
beck" cried a small, thin voice-.he
voice indeed, of the deacon's son, and
which was the signal for an uproar-
ious tumult, which resulted in the ig-
nominious retreat of the attorney,
followed by a number Of small mis-
sles, such as the ingenuity of youth
invents as it finds occasion for.
That night happy company gath
cred round the tea-table, for busy
hands and light hearts had been at
work, and the little room was restor-
ed to it's usual and beautiful order.
And yet tears were very near smiles.
The sign of Peter Pinchbeck no
longer decorates the office in which
that worthy spider-at-law wove his
tolls. Finding the place too hot for
him, he moved to other quarters.
don't think anybody but the bride
at the inn murmured over the return
of the long-lost citizen. She always
regretted the lost opportunity to buy
UP all Widow Willet's chinaware.
To Be Concluded.