The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1914-09-10
uted it to jealousy. For Mills was
buildins 9. substantial addition to his

uted it to jealousy. For Mills was
building q. substantial addition TO his
cabin and rushing it up as fast as be
could have it done. When next he
strolled over toward his former
friends house he was amazed to see
that the little shack was also being
Transformed. Workmen were putting
up a. brick extension and shingled
roof, and Bates, attired in brand
new suit Of clothes, was surveying
operations with cigar in his mouth
A dreadful suspicion which Mills
had entertained now grew into a Ger
tainty.
Going in for wife, eh, Jim?' he
called jocularly, but with an odd sink
Ing feeling which Bates next words
confirmed.
We'll, I don't know but might
Hank" answered the other. MAYBE
there's little girl down East
The rest Of Jim's words were spok
en- to the air, for Henry Mills was
hur-ying away as fast as he could go
He was determined to raise that sec
ond hundred at once and send it. He
had only sent a hundred, regrettins
that times were hard. He was glad
that he had held out lingering prom
ise Of more.
A letter was waiting for him. Il
was in the same fluent handwriting
Dear Friend" it ran. Yours re
ceived and thank, you so much for the
journey money. Now, Henry, let US
be frank with one another. My clothes
are all worn out, and am too much
Of a lady to start out to be married
in shabby things, SO must have an
other hundred and fifty, or else I may
have to consider proposal have
from somebody who doesn't live
thousand miles away from you.
Mills saddled his horse and half an
hour later, got down outside the bans
in the nearest town where his money
was kept. AS he descended he saw
Bates coming out. He was crumplins
number Of brand new notes in his
fist. The two men, glared at eacf
other, started forward, and then. with
a Simultaneous impulse, turned theil
backs on each other and went the!l
ways.
From that time on frank hostility
reigned between them There were
no more friendly evenings together
and the only time they met was when
they besieged the post Office on the
arrival Of the thrice-a-week mail.
Henry Mills sent $3.50 and implored
Estelle to come out on the next train
After that it was a weary period Of
waiting.
The house was built and new fur
niture placed, in It before the long-e1
pected letter arrived. Jim was wait
ing at the post, Office that day. Henry
Mills did not wait to see whether any
thing arrived for him, but ciutched his
letter exultantly and leaped ON. his
horse. She was coming. then! He
would read the letter when he goi
home. His soul was full Of rapture
and he fingered the missfve lovingly
as he: rode along.
Once in his house he flung himself
down upon the new lounge and tors
it open This is what he read:
Dear Friend: My heart bleeds fol
me to have to tell you what must
tell you, but since your letter came
l have met the man Of my choice and
we are married. He is taking me OF
our honeymoon to Europe, and We
shall probably be back in two years
time. So no more from your former
friend. ESTEIL.E.'
She did not enclose the $3.50 that
he had sent. Altogether, including
the house and the furniture, Henry
Mills was "out" In the nesghborhood
Of $1,000.
He sat there IN lefhargy Of de
spair for a long time But suddenly
there came to him a thought thai
strangely Frightened and cheered him
He saddled his horse hastily and rode
over to Jim's. Jim ves not outside
in his fields. He knocked at the door
Come in," muttered a hoIhow Tpica
full of poignant anguish Henry went
in: Jim Bates was lying UDon hfs new
lounge, letter on the foor beside
him. AS his old friend entered ne
struggled to his feet j
Henry Mills looked at the letter anc
seemed to recognize the handwriting
And suddenly a whoop escaped ms
lips, and, without even a ;@by-yocT
leave" he snatched it up and pc
rused It
1t was couched in identical Language
with the one which he had had az
hour before.
Suddenly the same thought seemed
to come into Jim Bates mind, for bis
scowl relaxed and gave place to 9
broad grin. and his hand went out to
ward his old crony's.
Same with you, Hank?' he asked
Same here" said Henry Mills, ano
their hands met and we're claspec
warmly.
81 guess we've been q couple OF
fools, eh, Hank?" asked Jim.
How soon did you begin to suspect
me, Jim" asked Henry.
DAY I come into your shack and
you wasn't there, and I saw a piece
Of paper sticking out from under the
mattress" answered Jim Bates.
WELL" said the other thoughtfully
anyhow, I'm glad we've got our
houses built at last and furnished
Same here" said the other. Say
Hank, will you be round for pipeful
after supper?"
Sure thing. answered his friend
Ditchino Diaca ne D3ner into the