Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1914-04-02

away" he cried. "That shop was
my father's-my grandfathers, too.
You come everywhere, you and your
stores, and you crush men like me.
You don't care if we starve. All you
think of is your profits! I'd have
fought you. would not have given
up without struggle" His voice
dropped. "But I'm-Fm helpless"
Business is business. But, per-
'onally. I'm not a hard-hearted
I man." Mr.. Lee&e leaned forward.
"Whv. now come to think of it, I
know you're shop sry we'll. | come
from that part of the country myself.
Twenty years ago | was bay at
school there. Let me see. what is
your name? Of course, now | re-
member YOU -
Walter Gilston swung around.
''You're Charlie Leeke. Your fa-
them was John Leeke of the Manor
farm? Yes; can see the likeness.
never guessed-never dreamed"
He opened the door abruptly.
1--WE were boys together. You'd
forgotten that. Well, go and do your
worst"
With an angry wave of the hand
he passed out.
ooh, haven't been waiting min
uteW Lily Coleridge stammered.
"Now"-she laughed uncertainty
81 can't think what | came to buy"
Walter Gilston's embarrassment
kept him silent.
81 didn't like the Cranthorpes a
bit, so haven't even stopped the
full week"
Robert Hurlev-he found YOU ?"
"Quite easily. He was glad you
told him where to come. Lucky [
mentioned it, She hesitated. "He
had some news for me. A little bit
unexpected. was surprised when
he showed me her photograph. His
wife, YOU know" she added jerkily.
"lIurlev's married ?" Gilston
gasped.
"Only three months ago. But he
couldn't bring her over to England"
Walter Gilston stared at her as If
through mist
But thought-understood-"
81 said he was very brave to bring
the news here, where he must have
fiirted with no end of girls"
She smiled. Her eyes were shin
ing. They met Walter Gilston's.
and The glance thrilled him. Then
he rcprcssed an eager inquiry, and
lowered his head.
"Iou know about Leeke's Stores? !?
They're coming here"
She nodded.
Things mustn't he as bad as they
look. I'm in trouble, too. I've no
where to go. My father and mother.
that is-they were angry when left.
They're worse now They say it
serves me right and | must try to
find another situation somewhere
They don't want me at home anv
more"
"lf only | had Il home to offer
you," Walter Gilston heard himself
answering. Il would ask you to
marry me- But as it is"
81 made believe | was tired of a
country life" returned Lily Cole
ridge in whisper, "but | went away
-partly-because | thought you
didn't love me even little bit. Are
you going to make me say any
more?"
Lilly" he said indistinctly, Gre
member Leeke's Stores are coming.
and I'm hard up, even now"
Cant we share our troubles to-
gether?"
They drew apart as the postman
entered. AS the envelope lay face
downwards she read the name on the
! flap"
"Why, here's letter from
Leeke's, Open it See what they
say"
A moment later Walter Gilston
gave cry. He stumbled round
pointingly excitedly:
"Dear Gilston: For old times
sake hope you'll accept the offer of
II permanent post. viii You give up
your own shop and manage our new
branch? You know all the people
i'll the neighhorhood, their likes and
dislikes. The salary will be"