Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-04-28
CHAPTER XXI.
The Mans PIans-And What the Wo'
man Did.

man who had given him her strange
and reluctant promise to be his wife
Thank you, Lurline," he said, eX-
ultantly; you have shown yourseI
acute and sensible"
She made no answer. He led her
team to a place in shed at the oacK
Of the bank He blanketed the horses
carefully. Then he returned, unlocked
the front door, and they entered the
building together.
The building had seemed dark and
gloomy from the outside. But once
within they found it we'll lighted, and
warm.
BE seated, my dear" said Mr.. l.y-
man, pointing to chair, after they
had passed into the private office at
the rear of the bank
Miss Bannottie seated herself.
She glanced curiously around the
room. She rose and looked into the
other room, the room in front of the
counter.
Suppose l were to give the alarm?"
she asked Lyman.
ITO the authorities, do you mean?'
She nodded.
"It would make it awkward for us
both. Were 1 in your place, though,
think I'd prefer living with even Sam
uel Lyman-living in plenty, and
peace, and comfort-to being impris-
oned as an accomplice for bank rob-
berry. Am not correct?"
Perhaps So"
Il know I am. 1 have not planned
for this night without taking every
possible contingency into consideration
except one"
And that was?"
Your possible final refusal. l have
met and solved in advance, every 9TH
er problem which may arise"
Have you, Mr. Lyman, have you?
Did you not, in your consideration OF
possible contingencies, fail to provide
against two? You planned we'll when
YOU thought of human justice; but how
about revenge? You scorned Gods law
and human law as the books have it
and the courts execute it; but how
about the unwritten law hidden in the
soul of the one you have driven to
such terrible extremity? No, Mr.. Ly-
man, you have not done all you think
you have--or, hold moment, perhaps
YOU have done more! Have you new
er learned the fate of those who dig
pits for others? Do you not know that
cummings weapons are turned against
g.. IL, a0aino That
that plants the finest batteries upon
the ridge of triumph, and from that
vantage ground dominates over its
foes and dictates terms to its enemies,
is fortunate-as long as it holds the
ridge and the battery! But suppose
the enemy rushes up and takes it;
suppose the foe creepS up and seizes
it: suppose their fine guns are turned
upon them: what then? Have you
thought Of that Mr.. Lyman, or have
you not?
Miss Bannottie made no answer to
Mr. Lyman. He continued:
IT am going to Canada. l am going
to take the funds of the bank. of
course. 1 have been gambling lately,
of course, as you suspected, but not
in Boomville. BOomville is too slow
and steady and sober for such busi-
ness: too slow for such a man as l
am; and so I've been down to New
York and Boston quite frequently"
'Neglecting the business"
THE business hasn't suffered. I've
had excellent help, and I've done we'll
myself-when l have been here.
You know you promised"
Never mind what l promised.
know that your recommendation got
me this place, Lurline, and that you
intended and expected I'd attend to
business. l suppose you've got that
power over Mrs. Elsie Sem that shed
hire a man just out Of Sing Sing If
you only said the word. l understand
why you wanted to study, and why
you intended that the Boomville Bank
should prosper You had just three
reasons fair Lurline hadn't you-no
more and no less?"
Il had just three reasons, that is
true"
Exactly You see l understand you
well. Do you know l think l under
stand you better than you do yourself?
You didn't know. for instance. when
YOU came here tonight that you'd be
nv wife again within fOrty-eight
hours, though l was sure of it. Shall
l tell you your three reasons?'
You may if you wish"
First. you wanted to have me at
an employment and in a place where
could not indulge my passion for gam
ing. Is that true?'
1T is. You have been a disgrace
and a terror to me for years. You lit
tie know what a terrible drain upon
nv resources your repeated demands
for money have been. l have asked
Elsie for money until l have feared
il would excite her suspicious; l have
asked it until the humiliation has al
most maddened me. | have endured
much for your sake"
No. not for my sake, Miss Lurline
Bannottie. not for my sake-but for
your own You have begged and. put
ting it more truthfully than politely
pIundered. because you did not dare
to refuse when l asked. But Elsie
Sem has always been willing to give;
she loves you, which is natural; she
trusts YOU. which is unnatural | take
great credit to myself for my penetra-
ton. Once-correct. Shall l tell you
q second reason
IF you please"
You wanted this business success
full in order that the income left you
by Donald Barron might not be en-
dangered or leSsened. Is that true?
Certainly. And you design robbine
meme. as well as Elsie Sem and al
who have trusted her and you"
I'm not robbing you. sweetheart
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