Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-02-10


Valentine in a good salaried position
but as yet he had doubts as to wheth-
er he dared to secure for the ex-convict
exactly the employment the girl de-
manded for him.
Now, sit down and listen, dad" the
girl said, crossing to sofa.
But, Rose, this is a most desperate
thing to do-pick up an eX-convict and
put him in a bank" Mr.. Lane pro-
tested.
rs he an ex-convict if he was con-
victed unjustly?" argued the girl
Didn't Uncle George say he was in
nocent?"
Not exactly. He said there was a
chance that he might be-"
But the governor pardoned him."
Guilty men have been pardoned."
The girl would not be gainsaid.
But l want you to give this man a
chance, dada good chance. He risked
his life once to save me from insult
She patted her fathers shoulder plead
ingly and affectionately.
II know: l know" declared Mr.
Lane.
And you must see him." Rose was
becoming fearful of the end.
"Oh, I'll see him, of course, but tc
put him to work in the bank-why
Rose, it seems like flying in the face o.
Providence"
Dad, doesn't it mean anything tc
YOU that l want it done?" Tears be.
gan to gather in the girls eyes.
"Why, of course" relented the fa'
ther. Your mother left you 40 pei
cent of the. bank stock, and that alone
would make me listen did you see fl
to even ask it, but who knows abou
him, and suppose it became known
who he was and what he had done?"
I've thought of all that, and wan
you to risk it, and my 40 per cen'
wants you to risk it,"
And your heart, Rose?" The fa'
theirs keen eyes searched the youns
girls beautiful face.
Rose returned his glance calmly.
Yes" she cried, rising and meeting
her fathers eyes unflinchingly will
her own; i've known men wht
thought they were heroes all my life
who talked of themselves and bored
me to death. And one day from 6
clear sky, when l was struggling II
the arms of a blear eyed brute who
beat me if l dare move a hand, this
man came.
There was no blare of bugles ol
anything but utter courage. He made
the ruffian leave me. His voice wa:
| low. I could scarcely hear what ht
said, but there was a note of com.
mand and a threat of death in it, ant
the brute disregarded it, and he mas
tered him, a beast twice his size. He
fought silently and killed him. Ant
all my life that man owns me-"
Mr.. Lane was only half startled a
the open declaration of his daughter
of her admiration and gratitude fol
and sentimental interest in the eX'
convict Jimmy Valentine. His train
ed intuition had already told him tina
she was more than casually concern
ed in the fate of this mystifying young
man, whose record was apparently 81
| bad and whose personality and ambi
J tions were certainly impressive il
their good qualities. Truth to tell, Mr.
Lane was considerably disturbed at th'
situation, but he determined to accep
it philosophically for the present ant
ment.
| "Rose!" the father exclaimed as th
girl concluded her statement. Whil
he had realized her attraction towart
the released prisoner, he had no
guessed of the depth of her feeling TO
him.
It's no good to be shocked, dad,
answered the girl. IT'S true. AM
then he went to prison on the deatl
rattle of a beast like that, and In
going to make it good to him if he's ;
|
blood tells me so.'
And you don't even know hi
name?"
Yes, do"
He gave YOU one. | know. but eve,
that
We'll, what of it? Does a nam
mean anything to real men and WON
en-? No. The one comcs-that one il
all the world-and, well-that's al
| there is to love-
A pause ensued. The father wa
first to speak.
DO you think he knows how yo,
feel?" he asked sympathetically.
No, nor he never will-unless yOr
some day-believe hinP-worthy o
me-"
You promise that?" relevedly.
Il promise, dad"
will you wait until l see the gov
ernor, Rose? Let us go to see hin
and ask his opinion of the matter"
| Gladly, and he will believe in him
l know" said the girl enthusiastical
ly She heard a step behind her. an
she turned.
| There, with his hat in his hand, wei
groomed and wearing a well cut sui
of brown clothes-light brown, tn
! fashionable color-there stood Jimm,
Valentine.
Mr.. Valentine." exclaimed the gir
Miss Lane, how do YOU do?" step
ping quickly forward, extending hi
hand.
This is my father" She presente,
Valentine to Mr.. Lane. who welcomed
him pleasantly.
Further conversation 10y the thrc
was interrupted 10y the entrance o
Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Webster. return
| ing from the tea room. Mr.. Lane AM
Rose departed to 90 to the governor
chamber, and the two members of tn
Gate of Hope society and Jimmy Val
entine seated themselves.
| And now Mr. Valentine concern