Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-07-26
Illustrations By
Irwin Myers -


Bobby McLaurin for my best man. and
l wouldn't give him up.
"It was only when we met before
the chancel in big crowded church
that ! fully realized the tragedy OF 1t
for Pat. | saw that her face was
clean white, and that her eyes held
the shadow of something that was
very terrible. / turned my head and
saw the same shadow in the eyes OF
my greatest friend, Bobby McLau-in
knew then. Bobby and Patricia loved
each other, John Moreland! Bobby
didn't have any money to speak Of.
and that had held them apart.
1T had been the finest thing In the
world, McLaurin's acting as best man
for me. There was friendship for you!
couldn't take from them their one
chance Of happiness. -.
81 couldn't see anything else to do.
so | ran. went home, pulled off my
wedding rig and put on the clothes
Tn wearing now, threw some things
into bag and hurried down to the
union station. ! found that could
have my choice between flier for
Atlanta and the - the train that
brought me here. bought passage to
Atlanta, but l never meant to use It;
I meant TO take the other train and
pay lash fare. In doing that, ]
hoped to lose myself from them. J
wanted to 20 unhindered to some
co.r .ly where I wouldn't be consld'
cred IA savage. yknow.
II went out to the traln-shed, and
| hadn't been there minute when
Bobby McLaurin came. / asked him
how he knew where to find Inc. He
said:
81 thought you wouldn't care to
stay here after doing what you did,
and | wanted to say sood-by, Bill He
always called me that, and 1t made
me feel like a man. Then put my
bag down and took him by both Shoul-
ders and told him this:
"'Look here, Bobby, I'm going to
give you some advice and you take
It. You steal Pat and marry her. Steal
Pat and marry her If you have to live
In hole in hillside. You're as good
as any of them, and lots better than
most of them. You can work your way
to better salary. You see told
him, we get about what we deserve
in this world. Most Of us don't deserve
much.
81 asked him II mother was badly
cut up. He said she was; that che had
tainted. Dad Swore aloud, he said.
there In church. told Bobby sood-by
and got aboard the train without say
ing anything about where | was 60.
lng-but didn't know myself where
| was going at the time.
"NOw you've heard it. Every word
was truth. If you'll trust ME with the
coal, I'll make this land my lnnd. your
people my people. III suffer with you
when you suffer. and be happy with
you when you're happy; and when you
fight. I'll fight with YOU"
Tile Moreland chief urose, and Bill
Dale arose. The hiIlman put out his
hand. and Dale gripped it.
II believe in ye. Bill" said John
Moreand. 80 another thing, I've
seed We fight. You can work the coal"
He looked toward the closed inner
door and called. "Oh, Addie; you and
the boys can come back now."
Out Of the night face appeared at
one of tile small windows. 1t was q
feminine face and handsome rather
than pretty. Two slender, sunburned
hands gripped the wlndow-ledge ncrv-
ously. The face pressed closer to the
glass, then disappeared. Soon after.
ward the outer door Of the guests
room opened, and Ben Litteford's
daughter entered. Her skirts were
dripping wet.
Mrs. Morelnnd arose and went to-
ward the young woman. She knew
tllat only something Of great impor.
tance could bring Littleford into her
home In this fashion.
"What'S the matter, BaheT
Babe Littleford gave no attention
to Mrs. A1orelnnd. She went On to
Bill Dale. walking softly on bare feet.
"Rlack Adam is a-goin' TO kill you
tonight, Bill Dale"
"That so?" Dale's smile was rather
grim. "How did you find that out.
MjSs 7 Iittlpforfl 2"
Il found it out, Gil right. AS he
went Off from the river this mornin',
| made fun Of him; and he patted the
stock Of his rifle and said he'd sit you
through q window He was ut our
house this evenin' to help fix pap's
gun, and when he left he starlEd this
way. a-gon' by the hlowcd-down syca
more. / waded the river at Blue Cat
shoals to beat him here. l thought you
might want to know about it, SOS ye
could mebhe save other folks the trou
ble O. maxim a funeral TO ye."
She backed toward the door, hel
eyes never leaving DaIe's face. Another
second, and she was gone.
They we're all on their feet now.
John Moreland gripped Dale's arm.
"Oyer thar aside o the chimbley.
..,1