Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-09-05

| est regret LOT anu
the fact maddened her.
Il did we'll to call you cruel" she
gasped; but do not think you will es-
cape punishment-retribut
MY dear Mercy" he interrupted, air.
lily, "be at rest-I have found BOTH
A red spark leaped into her black
eyes. She came around the table and
gazed at him steadfastly.
as that true? Then, thank God!'
she cried, in anything but a devout
tone. Now that I look at you, I gee
that you are haggard and shabby; you
are not the same gay fellow who made
love to me two years ago. You have
changed, Robert Greylock, and not for
the better"
To Greylock's great relief, the door
opened at this moment. and Ike Poole
looked into the room.
Blackport people were wont to say
that but for his daughter. the inn
keeper would soon relapse into a help
less sot. 1t was she who kept him in
|
about the inn escaped her fiery eyes,
and as for her tongue, 1t was like a
two edged sword. Mercy was the real
sovereign of the place-the power that
directed and controlled all things.
Lord bless mel" cried old Ike, at
sight Of the guest at the table. Il
heerd high talking in here, and I
thought l knowed your voice, young
feller!" He put out his coarse, red
hand. I'm downright glad to see you
again at the inn. Having tiff with
Mercy? This gal gets domineering ev-
cry day, there'll be no living with her
pretty soon. How goes the world with
you Mr.. Robert? I take it you've come
down to Blackport to fix matters up
with the old man at Greylock Woods?"
Robert Greylock shook hands with
the inn-keeper, firmly repelling, how
ever, the attempt of the latter to en-
brace him-too much hot whisky al
ways made old Ike effusive.
YES" he answered, Il am here to
see my father, and to sue for a recon-
ciliation."
Old Ike shook his bald pate.
Hes a hard man, Is your father,
boy; but blood ought to be thicker
than water. There's some talk in the
town of his leaving his fortune to an
English cousin. but let us hope it's a
fo'castle yarn. You didn't bring your
wife with you, s'pose-she that's
caused all the trouble, sir?"
NO" answered Greylock, shortly.
From Adam and Eve down to the
present" cried the inn-keeper, in an
aggrieved tone, women have been sor-
rer and tribulation to mankind-med-
ding always with our 'baccy and our
little glass of speerits, and a-leading us
| into every sort O. quagmire, and nag
ging us continual with their blasted
tongues! hope you're not going up to
Greylock Woods tonight, sir?"
The young man glanced at an eight
day clock in the corner, and arose to
his feet.
Yes; and I must be off at once. 1t
is a long and dismal walk, as you we'll
know
You must have a nip Of brandy to
keep the cold out. Mercy, bring the
black bottle from the closet"
The young fellow shook his head.
Not any, Ike. I prefer to appear
sober before my father. Have the good
ness to prepare a bed for me here at
the inn, can scarcely expect to remain
at the Woods-in fact. I'm not sure that
I shall be allowed to set foot inside
the door,"
Mercy had begun TO gather up the
dishes from the table. Her face was
stony, but her brown hands trembled.
What will you do in that case?"
asked Ike Poole.
Put a bullet through my own brains
perhaps" answered Greylock, with a
| morose look.
Tut, tut! You amt so desperate as
that, l hope, SIR"
II am as desperate as a man likes to
be in this world, Ike" said Greylock, as
|
board. Il may never come back, so l
had better leave no scores behind me-"
Mercy picked up the money, it was
she who kept the purse at the inn.
II don't relish graveyard jokes, sir, "
said old Ike, with disapproval Don't
be a-blowing out your brains, nor let
ting your spirits drop. Your father
| amt a fish-he must have little feel
| ing left in him; but, if so be you fail
to get lodgings at the Woods, you'll
| find a good room and something hot
waiting for you here. Take my best
wishes along with you-mine and Mer-
cy's'
Speak for yourself, dad, not for
me-" snapped the handsome vixen.
| Like a bronze Juno she stood and
watched him go.
| "Remember!" she almost shouted, as
the door was closing on him.
He turned back with a whimsical
smile.
That was the word which Charles
Stuart hurled at his eXecutioner on the
scaffold, but, unlucky, none of them
knew what he meant"
"As you go across the marshes" she
answered, stop minute, Robert
Greylock, and remember the last time
you and walked them together"
Ike Poole stared from one to the 9TH
er of the two, then shook his perpleXed
head.
Women are queer cattle" he said to
Greylock.
True" assented the young fellow
and he stepped out from Poole's Inn
into the raw, dark. lonesome night
| CHAPTER V.
| In the Night.
| Overhead a full moon struggled to
break through the sullen gray clouds