Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-04-02
STANDING FOR
HER RIGHTS
By HARRIET LUMMIS SMITH

ries to New York and got a fame!
price for them. I wondered about II
at the time, for one Of his cherry trees
was struck by lightning a year ago
and the fruit on the others was al
ways a poor quality. They were our
cherries he sold"
Her mother was trembling violent
ly. "Oh, Lucy, don't say such things
It isn't right unless you're sure
The girl passed her hand across her
forehead. Maybe not" she agreeo
unsteadily. But I'm going to De
sure"
When Simeon French watched MS
neighbors drive away the next fore
noon. he chuckled softly. Going 10
make a day of it," he said to himself.
"If they were as poor as they pretend
thew couldn't spend so much time
iunketing." Indeed, the carry-all with
its big hamper in the front seat, ana
Incy's camera in plain view, had a
most convincing air of festivity.
An hour later Simeon French Sc
renelv engaged in transferring the
choicest of Mrs. Barrow's Bartiett
pears from the tree to the basket on
his arm. heard a sound that made him
turn his head quickly. Though not
voune man, he was an agile one, and
his hearing was like cats. The
thought of being taken by surprise hao
hardly occurred to him. And yet not
ten feet away stood Lucy Barrows, re-
garding him steadily. A sudden nj Oh
trembling seized Simeon French anu
the ladder shook under him. he oe-
scended in haste, and faced Lucy. de
had not been mistaken. Besides the
scorn in her eyes there was an unmis-
taxable flash of triumph.
It was that furtive gleam which re-
stored his pugnacity. Il s'pose you
think you've got me now" he said
with a sneer. You imagine you can
nut the screws on, and make me DO
anything you like. don't your
'I haven't quite decided" was Lu-
cy's answer.
Haven't you? Well, have" He
shook his fisr defiantly. you can't
do a thing. Take it to law If you Ike
You haven't any witnesses. It's your
word against mine. You can't prove
a thing"
mo, I haven't any witnesses" Lucy
Acknowledged; but her tone was cneer-
full.
Simeon French laughed fiercely.
you're smart. Lucy; but you weren't
unite smart enough. Hid there, did
you?" He cast a savage glance to-
ward the syringa bushes growing 80
thickly that they presented an almost
impenetrable screen. You must nave
come sinking back behind the house.
You never came up the driveway; III
take my oath on that. 1t was q pity
YOU should have had so much trouble
for nothing"
The girl did not reply. But the look
in her ewes was not one of discourage
ment. He strobe toward the syringa
bushes to assure himself that no other
obseryer lurked behind their shadows.
It was like a girl to lay a trap Tor
him and then fail; yet it was discon-
certing to realize that the failure had
been due to her own hort-sightedness
rather than to his cleverness. Let
Il her take it to law if she likes" thought
Simeon French as he made his way
lhomeward. It'll be her word against
mine"
Lucy spent some time that day In
little room upstairs, which she had
fitted up for her Photographic work.
When Mrs. Barrows drove home late
| in the afternoon, she noticed the faint
odor Of chemicals about her daughter,
also a perplexing air Of elation. AT
the supper table Lucy made remark
that was also perplexing. Mother,
will you let me have five dollars?"
Five dollars!" Mrs. Barrows re-
peated anxiously. rs it for something
useful, Lucy?" She looked across the
table into the girls dancing eyes. and
started nervously at the sound Of her
laughter.
"T hope so," Lucy cried. Il hope
it'll be very useful. See if you don't
think So"
Lucy drove into town next day, and
visited the local photographer. "Mr.
Ryan, 1 have a plate here that want
enlarged so that it will make quite a
good-sized picture"
Lets see it," said the photographer,
cautiously. You need a good plate
for such an enlargement" He scru-
tinized the plate Lucy handed him. and
nodded approval. Yes. this is very
good. You gave just the right expo
sure. 1t isn't faint; and, on the other
hand, there isn't too much detail.' He
looked more closely, and suddenly
laughed aloud. why, you've got
your neighbor here. He was picking
your fruit on shares, 1 SUPPOSE"
You recognize him, them" was
Lucy's non-committal answer.
Recognize Simeon! Well. I should
say So He hasn't the kind of face II
is easy to mistake. You want this
framed, Miss Lucy?"
| Yes, Mr.. Ryan. A good oak frame
want it to took attractive"
Lucy's eyes sparkled, and the pho
tographer regarded her with some
perplexity you must be getting ur
a birthday present for old Simeon
he said jocosely. 81 guess it's his firs'
photograph. He never patronized me-
Lucy did not go home till she hat
seen Mr.. Ross. the leading merchant
of the town. He had been one of hel
fathers friends. and their talk togeth'
er was long and confidential. TN
ready to pay you for the privilege
Mr.. Ross" she said in closing. -
can't pay you in money. but I can II
work. If you'll accept it,"
The merchant stroked his mus
ltache and hid his smile. "No. Lucy
I don't want pay. Our show-window:
aren't attracting crowds. If you car
do that for us. we'll call it square"
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