Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-27
CHAPTER XvI-Continued.

stood, lookingly hopelessly at the girl
,.rl lust run over with him." sh'
said. 'I think he's afraid to go alone
What, and a soldier!" exclaimed
the Governor, with mock earnestness
Then the young fellow found his ton
que. .I am not afraid to go any
where" he declared, Strengthening W
stifiy.
The Governor saluted. Goodnight
Captain"
Nellie went with Roy to the door
whispered to him and threw him
kiss as he passed out.
'Pigeons!" chuckled the Governor
.I suppose they think I'm blind" Mel
lie turned toward him. I'm your won
derful collection Of pets, I suppose
YOU are growing to like the biped best
of all, aren't you?" he asked. She
bashfully nodded her head and the
Governor continued: well, that's
right. 1 rather like the parrot my
self"
PARROT she exclaimed, indig-
nantly.
why, certainly. You haven't add
ed any other two-legged freak to your
aggregation, have you?"
"N-no, sir"
"Well, I should hope not. The house
is getting so clustered up with your
pets that l guess I'll have to call
halt now. Whenever you want to add
another one to your outfit, you'll have
to get my consent first. Do you under
stand?"
Yes, sir"
"Biped, auadruped or centipede."
Yes, sir"
els II a bargain? Good! Now, then,
how'd you like to be my secretary
eh?"
"Goody! May II"
IF you promise to be real good and
not bother me by asking questions
about things that don't concern you,
I'll let you help me with my letters up
in the library"
With an exclamation Of delight Mel
lie darted toward the stairway and
was halfway up to the landing before
the Governor suddenly recollected that
the library already contained a visi-
tor "Nellie!" he shouted. She stop
ped in amazement Here! Come down.
I can't let you help me tonight. Some
other time. There! Run along now.
The alligator may need a few more
flies before bedtime"
Though somewhat disappointed, the
girl needed no second bidding, as she
was eager to muse alone over the RI
pening Of her own romantic schemes.
The Carpetbasger waited till she had
shut the door; then he started up the
stairs. Suddenly he saw the rose, on
the lapel Of his coat. He halted.
"Jim," he called, stepping down into
the room The negro, never far on,
appeared in an instant. ASK the lady
in the library to come down." He but
toned his coat tightly and stood,
waiting. Lucy came tripping down
the stairs, ahead Of Jim.
'Is my hair gray?" she asked, ban
teringly. "Well, you'll have to make
up for lost time"
The Governor was cool. Il haven't
lost any time" he said.
well, I have. I've read all the
books in your old library"
Then you haven't lost time" he
replied. you've improved it."
well, let's not lose any now," she
said. How about that bill?"
What bill?"
why, the Midland"
He looked at her steadily. Il can't
recall any such bill-tonight," he
said.
The lobbyist startcl. "Ah!" she ex-
claimed, evidently surprised. "Will
your memory be better tomorrow"
I'm afraid not. My memory seems
to be getting worse every day"
Governor, you can't forget that
bill. If you do, others will forget the
election"
That's all right. The election will
have to take care of itself"
But will it take care Of you?"
IT don't know. And I don't care
Governor, do you know what this
means?" Now there was genuine
alarm in her voice
Yes" slowly replied the Carpet
bagger. Il do. 1t means that the
next man who serves as Governor Of
the State Of Mississippi is going 10 be
elected Governor"
She gave her head contemptuous
toss. Suicide! Are you going TO
throw over all your friends"
Friends? What friends'"
why, your political friends"
There is no such thing as a polit-
ical friend"
She tossed her head again. Then
If there are no political friends thcre
can be no political Obligations. Re-
member that"
I'll not for get it. Shall order my
carriage for you?"
NO. thank you, prefer to go as
came" She walked off full Of anger,
but thought better of it and at the
door turned to him. Let us part as
friends. Goodnight" She held forth
her hand, hoping that by a touch she
might win him back. But her mag
netism failed her this time, for he
srasped her hand as he would have
taken the hand Of a man. Good
night" she repeated. Goodbye"
said the Governor, with significant
emphasis. She went out. Walking
slowly about the room, he looked down
at the rose on his lapel.
Il don't believe our stream is quite
so muddy as 1t was" he mused
CHAPTER XVII.
Nothing But Action Now.
The GnYernnr was walking SLOWLY