Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-12-13


the way you did just now"
We'll, you amt mel" she cried saw
agely. You amt me! Understand
that? When l want advice from you
I'll ask for it. Until do you let me
alone"
Very WELL" he replied so calmly
that she lost her bearings for a mo-
ment. And inevitably this, emphasiz-
ing as it did all that she resented most
in him-his education, wit, address, his
advantages of every sort-only served
further to infuriate the child.
"Oh, I know why you talk that
way!" she said, rubbing her poor little
hands together.
do you?" he asked in wonder.
Yes, I do-you!"
Suddenly she found words-poverty
stricken words, it's true, but the best
she had wherewith to express herself.
And for little they flowed from her
lips, scalding, scathing torrent. It's
because you go to church all the time
try to make out you're too religious
for anything and like to hear yourself
givin' Christian advice to poor misera-
BILE sinners like me. You think that's
Just too lovely of you. That's why you
said it, if you want to know. Folks
wonder what you're doing here, don't
they? Guess you know that, and like
1t too. Ii makes 'em look at you and
talk about you, and that's what you
like I could tell em. You're only
here to show off your good clothes and
your finger nails and the way you part
your hair and-and all the other things
you do that nobody in Moo York would
pay any attention to-"
"A pretty good guess at that" he
acknowledged candidly.
Yes, it is, and l know it, and you
know it. Oh, it's easy enough to give
advice when you've got plenty Of mon
ey and fine clothes and-but"-
II understand" he said when she
paused to get grip upon herself and
find again the words she needed. You
needn't say any more. The only rea-
son l said what did was because I'm
strong for your father and-well, l
wanted to do you a good turn too"
Il don't want your apologies"
'All right. Only think over what I
said some time"
Il had a good reason for saying what
1 did"
Il know you had"
How do you know?"
Because I'm not what you think I
am altogether"
81 guess you're not" she snapped.
But 1 don't mean what you mean.
l mean you think I'm conceited and
rich and don't know what trouble Is.
Well, you're mistaken. Many's the
time I've lodged round corners to
avoid meeting men l knew would in
vite me to have dinner or luncheon or
a. drink-of soda-or something-for
fear they'd find out that l couldn't
treat in return. Many time I've gone
hungry for days and weeks and slept
on park benches until an old friend
found me and took me home with
him."
She eyed him with attention.
But it's your father I wanted to
talk about" he hurried on. I'D bet a
lot he knows more than any other man
in this town, and, besides, he's a fine,
square, good hearted old gentleman.
Anybody can see that. Only he's got
one terrible fault-he doesn't know
how to make money. And that's
mighty tough on you-though it's just
as tough on him. But when you roast
him for it, as you did just now, you
only make him feel as miserable as
yellow dog, and that doesn't help mat
ters a little bit. He can't change into
a sharp business crook now; he's too
old a man. Before long he won't be
with you at all, and when he's gone
you'll be sore on yourself sure if you
keep on throwing it into him the way
I heard you, and that's on the level"
II won't do it again." she fall
tered. twisting her hands together.
Bully for you!" he cried and. with
an abrupt if artificial resumption Of
his businesslike air, turned away to a
showcase to spare her the ambarrass-
ment of his regard.
II didn't think" said the voice be-
hind him; Il didn't mean to. Some
thing happened that almost drove me
wild and
Il know" he said gently.
After a bit she spoke again, "I'll go
up and get dinner ready now"
He heard her footsteps as she
crossed to the door and opened it.
There followed a pause. Then she
came hurriedly back. He faced about
to meet her eyes shining with wonder.
She grasped his arm timidly.
Il wanted to ask you," she said
hastily, "if-was it this friend you
spoke about-that found you in the
park-who set YOU on the road to for
tune?"
That's what he said" Duncan an
swered whimsically.
ITO be Continued.l