The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1922-11-23
A Rival With
a Past
By CLAIRE SMITH.

unpopular in our town, Anthony Bar
tett, the banker, or Charlie Meadows,
his secretary. think on the whole
that it was Charlie.
Long Corners has always prided it.
self on being exclusive. But we aren't
dudes. SO when this fellow Barrett,
Of whom nothing was known, opened
his bank and took Charlie to be his
confidential secretary, and they put
on the airs of millionaires. and
wouldn't mix with the rest of US fel-
lows, it naturally set Long Corners
against them.
The first time l met Barrett was at
the house of Luella. Luella and / had
always understood that we were to
be married when l could support her.
I couldn't keep her in much style on
fifteen a week, which was all that Bar
rett allowed me as one Of his book
keepers. But l hadn't reckoned on
Barrett butting into the game-a man
IF forty, with nothing known about his
past. except that it was reported he
had been a jailbird
Luella grew pretty cold to me when
/ taxed her about him.
thought for sure she would tell
Barrett and he would fire me. but ap-
parently she had too much sense, and
things went on in their usual way.
None of us fellows in the bank had
any sort of respect for Barrett. / was
feeling pretty bad when l happened
to overhear conversation between
Barrett and Charlie.
heard Charlie strike him for raise
in salary.
"You're getting $35 now, Mr.. Mead
ows," said Barrett, in his cold,
heartless way, "an ID that is $40 more
than you could get anywhere else
"Mr. Barrett" answered Charlie
quietly, 81 happen to know that you
have served a five years sentence In
states prison for the misrepresentation
of bank funds"
l had just time to hurry away be-
fore Charlie came out. He had been
discharged. Barrett thought he could
bluff Long Corners. But he couldn't
bluff me. I laid hold Of Charlie. :
T guess you are feeling pretty sore"
said. II happened to oyerhear what
Barrett was saying to you. Are you
going to make it public"
"You bet / am" he answered, and
his rage made him quite friendly.
I'D give hundred dollars to know
Just where to hit him first," said Char
lie. II got the whole story from some
of his private papers. Confound him !!
Perhaps he'll try to buy me OF. I felt
sure / was good for that extra $1b."
'Tll tell you where to hit him nrst,"
said. "He's stolen my girl-Miss
Luella Mason. Isn't that enoughf I'm
going right round to tell her."
"Wait till tomorrow" he urged. HE
may think better Of 1t and offer me a
thousand to keep quiet. II he does I'll
give you ten per cent"
I couldn't neglect my duties, and l
was supposed not to know what had
happened. didn't mean to lose my
position; was not going to Luella out
Of revenge, but as friend.
was at her house at eight o'clock,
and By good luck she was alone. When
she saw me she looked unpleasant; {;
the scoundrel had completely ousted
me In her esteem.
"Well, Mr.. Coolidger she began.
"Well, Miss Mason" I retorted
mockingly "rhat friend Of yours, Bar
rett, Is a thief and a scoundrel."
Rather hard words to say about a
friend Of mine," she said.
She refused to hear me. but / was
determined that she should. So 1 told
her everything that Charlie had told
me that morning.
"When did this interesting episode
occur?' she asked, when I had ended.
I'm 1917" I answered.
"Four years ago. But thought you
said he had served a fve-year SEN
tence."
"Well, suppose they let him out
early for good behavior" I answered.
Then Barrett walked into the room.
Luella turned from me to him.
"This gentleman" she said, meaning
me, "has been so kind as to tell me
that old story about the County and
National, Anthony" Isn't 1t disgust.
ing name-Anthony!
"You seem to have host Of friends,
Luella," he answered. "This Is the
tenth, isn't it?'
1.-THE twelfth" she answered, and
then she turned to me. "You are very
slow. Mr.. Coolidge. Mr.. Barrett told
me all about that weeks ago. and so
have many Of his well-wishers. Only
you left out the fact that he was par
doned before the first six months were
out because the real thief confessed.
Good evening, Mr.. Coolidge"
Well, walked out l wouldn't de-
mean myself by arguing with that sort
Of man. And I'm still In bis bank.
That IL his cof,founded hypocritical