The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1916-01-27
The
Untold Half
1t Was Not Necessary For Fii1n
to Disclose 1t.
BY ARTHUR BOIToaWOOO.

i
when one of the numbering fruit
boats of the Yellow Star line comes
into port. There was no particular
stir along the water front that bit
ing, foggy morning in December
when the Admiral Dart came wheez-
ing up the harbor, swung into her
berth at the Yellow Star docks with
the aid of a couple of tngs-for the
tide was running strongly-shot out
her gangplSnk and disembarked the
!our passengers she carried.
She also disembarked Bobby
Shacklett. But Bobby Shacklett
did not come to the wharf by way
of the gangplank. While the fussy
little donkey engines in the sheds
were putting valiantly and swinging
briskly out of the Admiral Darts
hold the many punches of green
bananas Bobby Shacklett, very thin,
very pale and very much unwashed,
came up from the stoke room, took
long breath of the misty air, shiy-
cred a bit-for his clothes we're
painfully thin and shabby - and
then climbed over the rail and drop
ped unostentatiously to the wharf.
A couple Of carriages bearing the
steamers late passengers whisked
past him. Three rumbling drays
went humping past, one of the driv-
ers shouting impolitely to Bobby to
get to somewhere out Of the way
Bobby grinned. 1t was not a
pleasant grin. He was thinking Of
his homecoming as he had planned
it and as it had actually turned out,
and comparisons, which are always
odious things, were particularly so
in this case.
He thrust his hand into the
pocket of his ragged trousers, drew
out a few pieces of silver, grinned
once more, shivered again and made
his way to the street.
A solitary hanson was drawn up
to the curb, waiting for chance
fare. Bobby stepped over to it. The
cabby surveyed him scowlingly, but
Bobby, quite oblivious apparently to
the dubious glances cast in his di-
rection, climbed calmly in.
He gave an address on certain
conservative street uptown. The
driver stared at him. Bobby smiled.
Don't blame me, old chap" he
said, noting the others hesitation.
'But / want to 60 there, strange as
it may seem and Incompatible as it
may be with my present appearance.
What's the row? Afraid l won't be
good for the fare? Here you 60"
He passed up the handful Of silver
through the trap. 'Now, then.
drive on" he commanded.
The whiplash sang through the
air; the shambling horse lurched
into a trot; the hanson rocked, and
away they went through the dingy,
noisy streets.
They drew up finally before an
imposing house on the conservative
uptown street. Bobby climbed from
the hanson, and while the latter
turned and went Gathering away he
shut his teeth grimly and mounted
the brownstone steps with light OF
determination in his eyes.
In response to his vigorous tug at
the bell the door was opened by
statuesque butler, whose dignity
stood out obtrusively all over him.
He looked at the figure on the stoop
and closed the door halfway.
"Well?" he said, and the manner
in which he said it plainly bade the
visitor begone.
'Is Miss Wadsworth in" said
Bobby quietly.
eli think not, sir. In fact, Hi
am very sure she isn't" the butler
replied.
A look came into Bobby's gray
eyes-a look that had made better
men than the butler quail many
times before now.
'I rather think you are mistak-
en-" said he. "I'm sure she is at
home, and, what is more, l am sure
she will be glad to receive me. If
you don't believe it, just tell her, If
you will, that the general manager
of the Colona Intercoast railway
would like word with her. I'd ad-
wise you to do as l say"
The butler hesitated but a second
longer. The man on the stoop was
looking at him with most dlscon-
serting determination in his bear.
ing. The butler, unwilling, it is
true, opened the door.
"Step in, sir" said he. "Hi will