Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-11-26
THE SHERIFF OF BRADLEY
By HELEN TOMPKINS.


fence and knocked roughly at the
door.
1t opened so suddenly that he re-
treated a little. "Oh it is you, is it,"
said an emotionless voice. you can
come in If you like" and the speaker
threw himself indifferently back upon
the shabby bed from which the knock
had reused him.
John Lorimer closed the door and
walked inside a little reluctantly.
II was not sure that I should find
you here" he said.
Nor would you-had I known that
you were coming" remarked the other
coolly. He closed his eyes, but to a
keener observer than Lorimer his in
difference would have seemed slightly
exaggerated. You might come to
your business as soon as possible"
It have something Of a plan on
foot" said the sheriff. 1T may come
to something, or 1t may not. If 1t
does"
III 1t does"
Nothing" Something in the cool
voice made Lorimer shiver. Nothing
Only if it did, 1t would mean 500 to
you"
| Grier turned a little. so that the light
from the lamp no longer fell across his
face.
You are not married yet" he said,
with a constraint in his voice that
would have told his secret to far dull
ler, less jealous man than Lorimer,
with the memory Of his recent inter-
view with Agnes Watson fresh in his
mind.
| "No-not yet" stammered Lorimer.
stirring to make his own voice sound
more natural even to his own ears
THE fact is, Grier, thought 1t best to
postpone matters until I got things in
the sheriff's office to running little
easier. I can tell, though, that the de-
lay has troubled Agnes some"
He stopped with no apparent cause.
and drew his breath sharply; but the
figure upon the bed had not stirred.
ITO tel the truth. Grier." said Lori
mer suddenly. Il am not making the
success as sheriff that ought to make.
Hardy is forward and presuming, and
my term Of ofice 10 nearly over, and
want the nomination again. You may
have heard my conduct Of late eriticiz-
ed a little"
| IT have" commented Grier dryiy.
The reply was somewhat disconcert-
ing Lorimer WINGED, and kicked savage
ly at the dying embers.
Look here. Lerimer," burst out Grier.
sharply. "You had better come to the
point do you hear? Say what you are
going to say and go to the devil!"
| Lorimer drew his chair forward
little and sat down suddenly. Still he
seemed to find it difficult to speak.
u wonder why you came to me to-
night, Lorimer," said Grier, with cer-
tain wistfulness in his voice. II never
harmed you in my life, 80 far AZ !
know!"
L
| turned Lorimer. You are your own
worst enemy and always have been.
Your fondness for liquor"
who taught me to drink" Grter
burst out suddenly, and so savagely
that Lorimer started. II never will un-
derstand your hold upon me, Lorimer.
/ have an unutterable contempt for
you. I am a better man than you are,
even with-my weakness. But even
| with the contempt and hatred that
feel for you, know that am sure to
do as you say in the long run"
Lorimer moved restlessly in his
chair.
You are missing your liquor, Grier,"
he said contemptuously, "and your
brain is full of all sorts of mad fam
cies. If were not friend Of yours
should not be here tonight to give you
a last chance to begin life again in a
new place and amid new surround
ings" He leaned forward and his face
hardened.
You see, Grier," he said curtiy, Il
have got to do something to restore
public confidence. The people won't
stand for my acting as have acted in
the past. am willing to confess that
l might have paid more attention to
business. was away, you know. when
Thompson and his gang were captur-
ed"
Grier's offensive laugh set Lorimer
to raging agin, but he calmed himself
with an effort.
There is quite sum Of money In
the safe at the courthouse at present"
he said: ''in round numbers I should
say about $4,000 No one is supposed
to know anything about it, Of course,
but if l were careless enough to drop
a letter containing a note of the
amount"
He paused irresolutely, but Grier
did not stir.
The courthouse is unguarded. I am
going to suggest at the next term Of
the county court that measures be TAX
en- to protect the peoples money. But
in the meantime IT Is there, ana tnere
is absolutely no risk"
Go on" breathed Grier. Il must say
however, that am too dull to see how
all this Is going to benefit you unless
you look to a division Of the spoils,
which is hardly likely. Go on"
1T is natural. Of course" continued
Lorimer, that having the interests of
!: the county at heart. l should be rest
less and uneasy. All this would show
, up well-later. And If 1 caught man
in the act of opening the safe and
single handed effected his capture"
$50 that is your game, is it?' said
Grier slowly "Of course, see what
|. you would gain by 1t easily enough, but
; my vision is limited. Will you be good
enough to tell me what there is in this
for me?"
, "Of course was only joking when
spoke of hundred dollars" said Lori
mer, in a low voice. His lips were dry
"A thousand would be nearer your
share, Grier, of course, and a chance to