Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-03-13

| DTONH lllcll CCtlSil dl olAo"o'
"Straws!" No more. No less. The
word is unqualified. 1 suppose it would
include rotten straws as well as others.
Sem put Miss Bannottie's letter-the
first message from the outside world
which had come to him without even a
semblance of friendliness in tin his
, pocket.
He opened Walter Aldrich's letter
next.
1t was not long letter. 1t did not
say much. If, however, the writer had
known that Mr.. Sem would see the
letter to Mrs. Sem, it might have been
shorter and have said still less:
"Boomville, Nov. 9th, 10.
Mrs. Sem: The gossips are very
busy with your name and mine since
, YOUR marriage and the arrest Of your
husband. They say, among other
things, that you were not IL willing
bride-that your marriage was forced
upon you, or that you were unfairly IN
fiuenced. l confess that l did not think
so this morning, though l thought you
should have known me too we'll to think
that 1 would hold your promise bind
YOU cared more than for me. do not
know what to think tonight; Will you
help me to think Alright?
Are the gOssipS right? Are they
wrong?
Are you happy, despite the cloud
which now rests on the character OF
the man whose name you bear? Or are
you miserable?
Il love YOU still. always shall. If
nf
ing. there is hope for divorce. Let me
know the truth: let me know how much
help you need-how much hope 1 may
cherish, Ever yours,
Walter Aldrich."
Gilbert Sem tore Aldrich's letter into
fragments, and tossed them aside.
He opened the copy Of Mrs. Senn's
reply:
.'Boomville, Nov. 9th, 70.
Mr.. Aldrich: 1 have no explanation
to make regarding the causes which
lied to my marriage with Mr.. Sem, nor
shall l ever have. Regarding that mat
ter shall do no more than assert again
the fact with which you are already
familiar. | am the wife of Gilbert
Sem.
Talk of divorce is utterly useless in
my case; l shall take no legal steps
toward removing the bonds which
voluntarily assumed. You must never
hint at such matter again, either by
letter or in person.
| II shall be glad to see you at any
time-as a friend. If you come, you
must remember that the past is for
hidden topic while Mr.. Sem lives.
Should | outlive the man whose name
III bear and should you desire to say
again tn me the most pleasing things
in your letter. you will find the widow
ready to hear that which the wife may
not listen to. Until then, l am no more
and no less that your sincere 1rieno;
ELSIE Barron Semi
Sem tore up that letter also, and
scattered it's fragments as he had scat
tered those of the other.
"A love letter in disguise" he said,
bitterly; land what letter! A letter
worthy of the writer-worthy fiend!
A bid for my blood A premium on my
| death! She cannot bring herself to
think of divorce she cannot go through
the labyrinth of legal ways to freedom
and love: but she can go-and go glad
Ily-across my gravel
And Senn's judgment was good
very good 1t was letter worthy
fiend, good reader. and letter worthy
it's writer!
The jailer opened the door. Sem
was sitting in his old disconsolate,
dropping mood again. He had destroy
ed all the letters. but he still had them
to think about.
"A visitor for you," said the jailer
Yes. Let him come in"
Walter Aldrich entered the CELL
Sem did not look up. Neither one
offered his hand to the other.
II have come to offer my legal SER
vices in your defense. l understand
you have secured no lawyer as yet.
Will you give me the privilege of
standing between you and the laws
vengeance"
Sem did not look up. He muttered
something to himself, far too low for
his visitor to hear:
IF she outlives the man whose name
she bears. and you desire to say again
II
found most pleasing. you will find the
widow ready to listen to that which a
wife may not hear. Well-well. And
so you dare not-dare not o God!
Have mistaken him so? After all, "a
IA Such a traitor as that would de-
serve no better" He spoke aloud;
You may defend me-"
What will be your line Of defense?"
asked Aldrich.
You are the lawyer" replied Sem;
how should I know?"
Don't be foolish. You will plead
not guilty'?"
Il am not guilty"
you will have Witnesses"
II know of none
you signed some paper which Prier
will use?"
II did"
IF he threatened you. you may de-
cline being bound by it's terms"
Il shall not deny my signature. I
shall admit all l signed, and take the
consequences"
Il shall study this case carefully, as
carefully as the information at my dis
: posal will allow"
Thank you
But may fail"
Yes: you may. Good night"
Good night"
, Sem did not look up until Aldrich
was gone, not until the jailer had shot
the heavy bolt into its place in the
door of his cell Then he sprang to his
feet dashed himself against the iron
door, and wept as though he were a
broken hearted child.
"Oh, Aldrch, Aldrich," he cried, "how
can you? how can you? Why did you
not kill me that day in the bank? Why
were you not brave enough to take my
life with your own hand? Or, better
still. why did you not leave me to my
fate under the heavy engine-wheels,
ten years ago."