Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-01-17

smoothed down the ends of the adhe-
sive tape and stood back. That's all
right now Go home, wash your face
and sleep it off. Let me see you sober
in the morning"
HUH" Pete chuckled derisively.
Amt goin home t'night."
you've got to get some sleep-that's
the only way for you to straighten
up"
WELL" agreed Pete. rising, then
I'll go over to the barn nd sleep with
the horses
Aren't you afraid he'll step on you?"
asked Nat, amused.
Maybe he WILL" Pete replied fairly,
but I'd ruther risk that n m wife"
He swerved and lurched toward the
door. Thanks, doc, nd G. night" he
mumbled and incontinently collided
with Roland Barnette.
| Roland was working under a full
head of steam apparently. His nat
urally sangine complexion was several
shades darker than the normal, and he
was seething with repressed emotion
excitement, anticipated triumph. jeal-
ousy, envy and hatred, all centering
upon the hapless head of Nat Duncan.
| Plunging along with his head down,
his thoughts wholly preoccupied with
his grievance and its remedy, he bump
ed into Willing and caromed off. rec
| ognizing him with an angry growl.
| The result of this was to stay Pete's
| departure. He grasped the frame of
the door and steadied himself. glaring
round at the aggressor.
"'Lo, Roland!" he said, focusing his
vision. "Whash masser?"
Roland disregarded him entirely.
Say, you!" he snorted, catching sight
Of Nat. Il want to see YOU"
"Oh?" Nat drawled exasperatingly.
He had never had much use for Ro-
land, and now, with hidden joy, he
read the signs of passion on the boys
| nflamed countenance. Happy he
would be, thought Nat. if Roland were
to be delivered into his hands that
night. He owed the world a grudge
just then and needed nothing more
than an object to wreak his vengeance
upon. We'll, I'll stake you to a good
long look" he added sweetly.
"Ah-h, don't you try to be so funny!
You might get hurt"
Pete seemed to be suddenly electri- |
fed by Roland's manner. "Herei" he |
interposed. "Whajuh mean by that?"
And, relinquishing his grasp on the
door, he reeled between the two and
thrust his face close to Roland's.
Whore you talkin' to, an'way?" he |
demanded, truculent.
Nat stepped forward quickly and
grabbed Petes arm. That's all right, |
Pete" he soothed him. Don't get
nervous. Roly wont hurt anybody"
The diminutive stung Roland to ex-
asperation. why, curse you!" he
screamed and promptly became mar
ticulate with rage.
"Ah, ah, ah." Nat wagged a reprov-
ing forefinger Naughty word, Roly! |
Careful or you'll sour your chewing |
gum"
Now, say. Do you think
At this juncture Pete drowned his |
words with an incoherent roar, having |
apparently reached the conclusion that
the time had now arrived when it |
would be his duty and pleasure to eat
Roland alive. Nat saved the young |
man by the barest inch. He grappled
with Pete and drew himself aside just |
in time.
Steady, Pete" he said quietly.
Steady, old man. Let Roland alone"
"Awrh, l amt 'fraid of him." splut-
tered Pete.
Neither am l. Get out, won't you,
and leave him to me-"
"Aw'right." Pete became more
calm. I'll leave him lone, but all
the same l wan it stinctly un'erstood
kin lick any man in town ceptin' m
wife. G. night, everybody"
He gathered himself together and by |
supreme effort lunged through the
door and into the deepening dusk.
We'll, Roly?" Nat asked, turning
back
His ironic calm gave Roland pause. |
For a moment he lost his bearings |
and stammered in confusion. Il come
in to tell you that me and yous apt |
to have trouble" he concluded.
oh? And are you thinking of start
ing it?''
You bet I'll start it, and I'll start it |
d quick if you don't leave Josie
Lockwood alone"
so that's the trouble. is it?" COM
mented Nat thoughtfuly.
Yes, that's the trouble From now
on l want YOU to let her alone, and
you'll do it, too, if YOU know what's |
best for you"
A suggestion of menace in his man
ner unconnected with any hint of
physical correction, caught Mats at
tention. He frowned over it.
Just what do you mean by this
line of talk?" he inquired blandly,
stepping nearer.
I'll tell you what l mean" Roland
clinched both fists and thrust his chin
out pugnaciously. I'D been a'goin'
steady with Josie Lockwood for mOre'n
year before you came here and you
thought that on account of her money |
you could sneak in and cut me out"
Was her money the reason you were
after her, Roly?"
What" The question brought Ro-
land momentarily up in the wind.
"'Tain't none of your business if it |
was" he snapped. recovering. But
here's what I'm gettin' at" He tapped
his breast pocket with sneer off bu-
collie triumph. Just about ten months
ago" he continued mcaningly, they
was a cashier skipped out Of the Long
acre National bank in Moo York, and
they amt got no trace of him yet
So this was why Roland had been