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We are in our new quarters at the same old stand, next to Jenkinson's, where we are prepared to fill all orders for Groceries. We will be glad to see you and "figger" on any bill of Groceries you may need, and feel assured we can satisfy you both in qual ity and price. The Manning Grocery Co. g SUMMERTON HARDWARE CO., g S CL SUMMERTON, S. C. J. C. LANHAM. -C. . DAVIS, J. A. JAMES, President. Vice-President. Sec.-Treas. OUR MOTTO: 3 L'S. Live and Let Live. For dry goods. zo to a dry goods store. For shoes. go to a shoe store. For groceries. zo to a grocery store. For medicines, go to a medicine store. For HARDWRE and its kindred articles, ooto a HARDWARE STORE.. SPaints, Agricultural Implements, Pumps, Pipe, Stoves and Stoveware, Harness and Saddlery, Crockery and Glassware. We have them all. Our long residence in the county is our guarantee of fair and Shonest treatment of our customers. We hate recently associated with us Mr. J. M. Plowden form erly with the Dillon Hardware Company. wxho thoroughly under SUM T ER, S. C. We are giving more attention to the handling of Cotton this season than ever before, which means that while we bought more Cotton than any other firm on the market, it is our purpose to buy a still greater quantity. This we can not do unless we pay the price, and when you bring or ship to us,. your Cotton, the VERY HIGHEST PRICE IS AS. SURED. Our General. Mercantile Department .has been thoroughly looked after and we invite an~ inspec tion of our Dry Goods, Fancy Goods, Shoe and Clothing Stocks. Our buyer has devoted much of his experience this season in looking after the Dress Goods selections, and we can assure our Lady friends that we are enabled to please them. not only in styles, but prices. Our General Dry Goods Stock was never more complete and better bought-'"GOODS WELL BOUGHT ARE HALF SOLD. Shoes ! Shoes ! -There is no need wearing out shoe leather running about for footwear, when we have, direct from the factories, Shoes of the best make. and which we can sell with a guarantee. .Then, we carry as~ nice a line of Gents' Youths' and Boy's Clothing as you will be able to see in any other city. This Department was selected with a view to style, fit and dura bility. OR GROCERY DEPARTMENT Cannot be excelled anywhere, and our prices defy competi tion. We have always enjoyed a tine Clarendon patronage for which we are grateful, and we shall strive to continue to merit the patronage and confidence you give us-come to see us, Yours, &c, LEIBROTHERS1 WILL N. HARBEN, Author of "Abner Dan iel," " T h c Land of the C ha n ging Sun." "The North Walk Mystery," Etc. [ARPER Q BROTHERS y.:-e wife's sl:ir to kIver up yore fol ly. an' its uitrerent. No; I won't put a cent in that business 0' yore'n, an', moreover. I want to say right now that as soon as Mr. Trabnc gits back from the country he'll stick a clause in my private papers that'll keep you an' that schoolgal from benefitin' by my death." "Oh. I knew all this would come," Bob said in a regretful tone to George, who was eying him in slow wonder, "but I hain't the fool I look, George. Make Jake go out o' the office, an' I'll tell you folks all about it." The negrr did not have to be inform ed that he was not wanted, and with a sly laugh, half of apology, he hur ried out into the warehouse. "You could be a big enough fool fer any use an' not be as big a one as you look," said old lanks. with a sneer. "Look y' ,here. young man," demand ed Kenner. "didn't you tell me t'other day that ,you was goin' to let up on that racket'?" "I remember tellin' you I wasn't go in' to steal the girl out fer any more buggy rides." said Bob, with a smile. "There will be no need of that in the future. I hope." "So that's what you meant?" laughed Kenner. "Yes; that's what I meant." Bob drew one of the high revolving stools up near the stove and got up on it, his heels resting on one of the rungs. His new broAdcloth trousers glistened in the light irom the window. "I see I'll have to tell you all about it from the first." he began in a strange ly confident tone. "I don't ask any body any odds, an' wouldn't bother to explain to r)ost folks, but I'll acknowl edge I want you fellows do*n here to think well of me. for you are all busi ness inen and I'm a business man." "That you are," snarled Hanks. Tlar's business men o' yore grade In .every pore house an' asylum in Amer lea." "Now, you keep quiet if you want me to tell about this thing," said Bob. "I am a business man. I know how to make money. Everything I've put my h:!nd to since I got a start has turned 16ut a fair profit, If I couldn't make money faster than you, father. I'd take in my sign. You've alwyns been afraid of :ig deals. 'Go slow' has been your motto, an' it's hunting you to your grave. Now, this is the way the whole hh:med thing come up. I'm old enough to marry. and that girl" "Old enough the devil!" oroke in Ilaniks. "You look like you are with that fuzz on yore lip." -! reckon a man ought to be his own - judge as to whether he is old enough for a step o' that kind," Bob said, with sudden dignity. "It begun this way. There was three sophomores at Mrs. Styles' school and they all seemed bent on seeing which one could make me like 'cm the most. They was all pretty e:ough an' sharp enough, an' I reckon it was just human nature for me to carry on with 'em a little. I don't know as I liked one better than another at first It 'was just the fun of seeing 'em wrangle." Bob laughed out imnpul sively. "They pretended to be as thick as molasses in the winter, but they hat ed one another like snakes. Then they got to telling lies on each other. I knew they were lies because I caught up with 'em. Finally I saw that Dora May" "Do you mean Mrs. Hlanks?" asked Kenner, with mock solemnity. "Yes, my wife," replied Bob. "As I say. I finally saw she was just the girl I was looking for, and I made up, my mind to get married and be done with it. Thinking about her and try ing to see her took up too much time. I told her my folks would object to it, but she advised mec to go ahead. She's as independent as a hog on ice, an' she can afford to be." Bob paused for a moment, twirling his fingers betw~en his knees, and then he wvent on: "I reckon I'll have to tell you all some thing. I don't know as I'd tell it now. but father is raisin' such a row over my marryin' that it puts me in a bad lght and hurts my business. My credit~ won't be worth shucks if it gets out that my daddy has gone clean back on me-that is. until they know about my wife's connections. The truth is, Dora May's got plenty of money." "Money?" echoed Kenner and Hlllyer in a breath. "That's what I said." answered Bob calmly. "Then you married her fer that," said Kenner sternly. "No, I didn't." replied Bob. "The truth is, I liked her before I knew about it. She suits me tiptop, and I can't help it if she is well off. She's what would be called big rich in this part of the country. Her father left her several blocks of business houses in Louisville. The rent on one batch aone is somecth ng over five thousand a year and will all come to ho;' when she's of age. I1er guarg% didn't "There ain't a bit of harm tn a fllt think it would be best for it to get out down here before she was done school, an' so he got Mrs. Styles not to men The Copyright. 1903, by I CHAPTEIR1 XX. NE mornin-- shortly after thli Mrs. Iliye:' :met Jim Kenner on hke imain street of the vil lage noar the warehouse and paused to chat with him. "I'm still workin' on yore case." sh2 told him. "The only trouble is that you are too backward to hlcp. I serve you up with different gravy at every meal an' keep you on-the sideboard to eat cold 'twixt meals, but ef you don't come up some time an' take a han-. she'll want a change o' diet." Kenner's honest face reddened. "I'm afeard I'm glttin' too old. Mirs. Hill yer," he laughed in high pleasure. "I give you my word. I worry all the time about my age." "Worry?" she laughed. "What does age amount to? The older a man gts In this life the younger he is in the next, an', from all accounts. the next is better an' keeps a body at a stand still. Lord, you don't look like a fel ler that worries about anything unless it's fer the lack o' some devilment. Mr. Hillyer's told me how you love to gag old Hanks. I reckon since Bob's done the way he has you'll have it in fer the old man, or, rather, he'll have it in fer you all, beca'se Mr. Hillyer says Hanks predicted from the first that Bob ud come to no good. I hain't seed Mr. Hillyer since Mrs. Dugan told me about it, but it'll worry 'im like rips, fer, you know, jest day be fore yesterday he let Bob have another two thousand to enlarge his business on. Enlarge, I say. A boy o' that age ort to be spanked fer what he's done jest when folks was braggin' on 'im, "Why, Mrs. Hillyer"-Kenner's eyes were wide open in astonishment - "what are you talkin' about?" "Talkin' about? Jn Kenner, do you mean to tell me that you, the biggest man gossiper in Darley, don't know what Bob Ranks has gone and done?" "I'm at the fust of it, Mrs. Hillyer." "Well, he simply got that little or phan gal, Dor. May, some'n' or other, from Louisville. out o' Mrs. Styles' boardin' school last night %in' driv 'er In a buggy to Springtownz an' got a country preacher to marry 'em." "Good Lord, Mrs. Hillyer!" "That's what he done," went on Mr. Hillyer. "They spent the night at the preacher's house, tuck breakfast, an' driv back to Darley. They've put up permanent at the Johnston House. Mrs. Dugan went up and seed whar Bob had registered 'R. 0. Hanks and Lady,' bless you! An' that chit of a gal in short dresses hardly below the knee. Ers. Dugan says while she was thar a-lookin' old Hlanks come in as yallar as a squash an' axed if they had riz yet. The clerk told 'im no-that the bridegroom had told 'im to say that he was not at home to any callers, an' of it was about business they wanted to see 'im to refer 'em to his head sales man at the store. Did you ever? Is it any wonder his daddy wouldn't set 'im up in business? The wust big head on earth is the sort that young boys hi's when they think they can start in to raisin' a family. Bob couldn't stand prosperity, I reckon. Mrs. Dugan says Mrs. Styles has dismissed schcol fer the rest o' the week an' is walkin' about the campus on her hands with 'e feet in the air. It seems that the gal was put in Mrs. Styles' care by some kin o' her'n, an' the old lady don't know what she's to do about it. Thar's some secret about who an' what the gal is anyway. Mrs. Styles is afeard it will bust up the institution. Mrs. Dgan say's it will help the school that folks will send the'r scrub gals thar to git 'em married off. Hain't they heard it at the warehouse?" "They hadn't when I left about twen ty minutes ago, Mrs. Hillyer." "Well, I won't stop you. I see Mrs. Stillman leanin' over the fence without a bonnet or shawl in this wind. I'll go an' ease 'er up. I know yo're eechin' to tell it to yore gang." . few minutes after Kenner had ex ploded his information at the offce old lanks came in. He was pale, and his skin looked as dry as old parchment. but he was eating roasted peanuts, breaking the husks with steady, prong like finger nails. He sat down with out a word and dropped a handful of hulls into the stove. "Jim," he said suddenly to Kenner, "what did you ever do about that ac count Bill Haskill was a-owin' you?" "I got-it yeL." said Kenner, throwing knowing smile around the room. "Well, ef you'll discount it enough to make it interesting, I'll buy it I've got 'im tied up with a piece d' land o' his'n. an' I want the land." "I reckon we kin make a deal," said the cotton buyer as he wiped a smile from his facile mouth with his long hand. "I reckon you heard that Bob had taken to hisself a helpmeet?" The group hung on the old man's re ply. Hlanks crushed another peanut in is hand and raised the best part of it to his lips. "I don't care what he does," he said. "I told you all you'd make a fool of 'im, an' now I reckon you see I was right" He was staring accusingly at illyer. "You started.it," he blurted out. "Thar ain't one boy in forty mil ion that kin keep from gittin' the big head with sech responsibilities put on I all of a sudden, but I hain't a-carin.' reckon y'ou know how to git yore money back." "Oh, I don't know that this means absolute ruin," said HUIyer in his own defense. "'Somehow I've got faith in Bob yet A boy full o' puppy love will' sometimes act reckless, but it may end all right." At this luncture Bob flanks himself. came in. He wore his best clothes, nd his boots had been freshly polish d. His glance, a rather frank one, K~enner thought, rested dubiously on his father's face. "They told me at the hotelstaat,you wanted-to see me, father," he-said. "If. I'd known you" "Yes, I called an' left myscyard," an swered flanks, with a sneer, "but I wasn't in no -hurry. I jest-called- ont. little matter o' business. Tou -sorter got me to promise a week agothat I'd he'p you put in that stock o' dry-goods, but I find out that mny.present intentions won't permit of it When I thought favorably of it, you was a u~nnmried man, with jest yoreself to look after n' yore 'board paid by another -party,' ut now:you've tuck'the best-g ntters at the hteangot.a:,hi1gh pricedsdess not to tell it. iBut. or course, when me an' her got engaged. 'and" "You let a gal in short frocks tell you a cock an' bull story like that," broke in Hanks, his sallow face work ing visibly, "an' you swallowed it, like the sucker you are." "I had no reason to doubt it," retort ed Bob, with a flash. "But I found out afterward that it was all true. I know a tobacco drummer from up that way. He gets all ny trade in that line. Me an' him are pretty friendly, an' I confided in him. He told me he knew all about the family and substantiated everything Dora May had said an' added a lots more about investments of hers that she didn't even know about." "But why were you in such a hur ry?'' asked Kenner, who seemed to be the only one in the group capable of ready expression. "Well," Bob hesitated, and a frank flush spread over his face, "there are some boys in this town that would run after a rich girl, and Dora May would have been entirely too popular to do her any good. Oh, you needn't worry about me an' her! I tell you we know what we are doing. She's busi ness from head to foot an' knows I can manage her affairs all right. There ain't a bit of harm in a fellow marry ing money If be loves his wife and has the ability to make some himself. I believe I'm a born money maker. I reckon I got it from father. I believe If he'd 'a' had a fair chance and not been afraid he'd 'a' been the richest man in this state. He married a poor woman and had no start, and yet he's done well-that is, pretty well-for his chances." "Ef he ever is about to starve you inought give 'im a job collectin' Dora .Iay's rent," said Kenner, who was bubbling cver with enjoyment. Then silence fell. They were all waiting for Hanks to speak, but he had nothing to say. He rose and went outdoors, his scrawny hands in the pockets of his .trousers. "The Lord only knows what he'll do," said Bob. "But the die is cast, an' I feel sorter independent of him. Look here, Mr. Renner," turning back from the door, "you must get the idea ouf of your head that I did this thing just because Dora May was well fixed. I tell you she's just what I was looking for. She's pretty, not a bit lazy and thinks that what I don't know ain't worth learning. She's been so much Interested, lately in my business that she wasn't studying good at school any way. She's give me a great many pointers, I tell you. She helped me write all them ads. that folks said was so good, especially them with the poetry In 'em. I'm a bad speller, -and she cor rected all of 'em before they was print ed."P "Did you ever?" Kenner said when Bob had gone. "I'll swear I don't know whether to kick or congratulate 'im." As George was going home to din ner he saw old Hanks leaning on the fence of a vacant lot waiting for him. George paused. "That ground ud make good turnips," said Hanks, spitting over the fence. "I believe I'll make Trotter an offer for it. I could pasture my cow on it in the spring." George said nothing. He knew the old man had waited for him to speak of Bob's marriage. "Went up thar to see Mrs. Styles." Hanks nodded in the direction of the schoolhouse. "Oh, you did?" "Yes. Found 'er with 'er head all tied up in rags an' smellin' like a drug store. At fust she kept *up sech a screechin' she wouldn't let me say a word, but she quieted down after awhile, an' me 'n' her sorter come to a understandin'." "An understanding? That's good," said George. "Yes. We both sorter come to the conclusion that if she'd write to that guardeen that Bob was an only child an' could naturally expect Comething at my demise that, maybe, he wofd not raise, a row." "Then the girl really is rich," said George. The old man spat over the f'ence again. He avoided George's glance. "Yes, she's- pretty well heeled," he said, "an' not a fool by a lor.g shot. She was up at Mrs. Styles' this morn n', the old lady said, with a long dress on. She talked pretty straight--didn't intend to have nobody meddlin' with her affairs-ef anybody had anything to say agin Bob Hanks to send 'em to her, an' so on. Blamed ef I hain't sorter curis to see 'er. Somehow I al ways wanted a gai in the family, an' one with plenty o' scads is about as ecotable as any othe' sort--safer in :he long run." "When Mrs. Hillyer was told at the inner table that day of the outcome of Bob's marriage, she said: "Well, I on't know as Bob Hlanks is sech a b~ard case after all. The highest in the and is a-doin' jest what he done--mar yin' with the'r eyes open. The only ifference is Bob don't make no bones aver' it. He admits he's strul; a good thing an' has too much business pride to underrate his investment." -. "Nevertheless, Martha," said Hillyer ver his poised coffee cup, "I'd a little other see Bob make more over the girl than he does." "Oh, I don't know why the boy should go about 'fore that gang down thar with his feelin's on exhibition, an' ven ef it's jest a cut an' dried business fal on his part it will end a sigh better, I bound you, than a lots o' slob beri' love affairs that run dry a monty after the knot's tried. But I don't omehow think Bob an' his gal will and up bad. Thar's a sunny, cheerful way o' lookin' out fer yourself, an' them two young uns may jest laugh the'r way into happiness an' tote it with 'em through a long, successful ife. I hope so. I don't begrudge 'em anything they've got or may accumu ate. I met that gal once at the school xhibition an' tuck a 11kin' to her. She looks like she's been well raised. I frapped my handkerchief, and she scrambled to pick it up, an' when I said, 'Thank you.' she said, 'Yo're wel 'ome, ma'am,' an' didn't giggle like some do when they say anything un usual." CH APTER XXI. EORGE was now Hillyer'sipart [Inor in business. The winter passed, and a bright spring dawned. The Cranstons had spent the Christmas holidays in 'Vir inia visiting relativest and were back igain at Darley that the major might superintend the planting. on his farms n the vicinity and recuperate his fail ng health. It was the first Sunday~ morning aft r their return. Hlillyer was having a ~onfidential talk with hise wife in the tting room; George wasi smoking on be veranda. "Yes, I seed he wa' bothered," the >d man was saying, "an' havin' heard e governor was expected on the 6 elock train this evenin', arn' knowin' eorge had an engagement sto call on kiiss Lydia tonight, I put tuwo an' twoj an' him talks pretty confidential some times. an' I axed 'im ef that wasn't what he was thinkin' about, an' he ad mitted that it was an' openly axed my advice as to what he ort to do:under the circumstances. I told 'im I'd study over It an' let 'im know later." "Why, tell the boy to go on, govern or or no governor," said Mrs. Hillyer. "He's got as much right to call tonight as any night. Huh, I say!" "That's about the way I put it up," said the merchant in a tone expressive of considerable relief, and he went out to George. "I loog- at it this a-way. George," he began, leaning on the banisters and crossing his fat feet "Thar railly hain't but one way a gentleman could act under them circumstances. You see. she hain't never released you from yore engagement, an' fer you to pre sume that you was out of the game lest beca'se you'd heard from Mrs. Du gan an' her kind that another feller was due would make you seem sorter green. No; as long as Miss Lydia hain't axed you to excuse 'er thar hain't but one thing fer you to do, an' that is to go. an' when you git thar don't you let Telfare root you out, noth er. Ef he is the governor, I'd have my rights." "Oh, I had decided to go," George re turned quietly, "but I feel that it may be unpleasant. I met him once since I was introduced to him, and he looled mad enough to bite my head off. I happened to be leaving the major's just as he was coming in, and we passed on the walk. He scarcely nodded." "Well, you bet I'd go," said Hilyer, and he went to his room to prepare for church. The following evening was a pleasant one, and as George entered the gate at the Cranstons' and started up the walk he saw Governor Telfare walking to and fro on the grass near the house smoking~ a cigar. Hearing the latch of the gate click as George closed it, Tel fare pause(. stred at George for an instant and then came toward him, meeting him when he was half way between the gate and the steps of the veranda. "I want to speak to you, Buckley," he said coldly. "Let's walk over to that summer house." "Very well," and George and he moved across the grass and entered the nearest compartment of the vine grown building. The governor seated himself on one of the benches and nervously paffe-d at his cigar, round flashes of red light showing intermittent glimpses of his dark, cruel face. George read it intuitively and was prepared for what was coming. His young blood was al ready at a boiling point Indeed, the governor's insolent manner of address ing him had been in itself an insult. "I simply want to say to you, Buck ley," Telfare said, with a sneer, "that you and I cannot visit under the same roof." "Ah, that's bad!" retorted the youn ger man, his fierce stare bearing down defiantly on his antagonist through the half darkness. "I'm sure I shall miss you. Going abroad?" Telfare looked at him in astonish ment It was as if he had not dreamed that Buckley would dare to make any thing but the most civil, even a hum ble, reply, considering his power and what he intended to propose. "You know what I mean," said the governor, waxing more angry. "You know well enqugh'why I will not sit as an equal in the same drawing room with you. You know what you are." "My knowledge also extends to some most contemptible creatures, Gov ernor Telfare-to an occasional meet ing, at least, with one man, whom I certainly would consider benegh no tice If I did not meet him unuer the roof of most respectable, if blind, peo ple." Telfare smothered, an oath and stood up, his short figure appearing dwarfed beside the, athletic young giant "You say this to.me?" he gasped. "To me?" "Oh, no; I didn't-intend it for you," said George. "How could I say such a thing to his excellency the governor of Georgia?" In the deep silence that followed George could distinctly hear Telfare's violent panting. "I've got a proposition to make to you," the governor gasped in a ga effort at calness, as he sank to uis seat "I'm in the position to do you a favor-to grant something that any man, situated as you are, would be glad to accept But we have begun wrong. Perhaps I ought not to have been so outspoken, but seeing you here suddenly provoked me. Sit down a minute and let's plainly understand each other." "I think, myself, that we- have be gun wrong," said Buckley, who re mained standing. He placed one of his feet on the bench beside the govern or and leaned over him. "At any rate, I am wrong now, for I ought to slap your face. And I want to say to you I would dotit but for the respect I have for the people you are visiting; that's all that saves you, sir. I've met con temptible, cowardly curs before, but you" "You can.say what you wish to me," Telfare panted. "I shall not resent it Men of my class do not fight men of yours. You can't insult me, Buckley. What you. say does not affect me in the slightest. Men of honor" "You have no honor to lean on," burst from Buckley's lips. "No man has hon or who deliberately insults a man who is as helpless to resent it as I am in this case. You would strike a woman. You are a-cur, Telfare!" Telfare was panting again, but his eyes fell beneath George's fierce stare. It looked as if he were actually afraid Buckley might suddenly strike him in the face. "You have not heard what I intend to propose," he faltered. "I have it in my power to pardon your father, who is now at the-coal mines. I can do this simply by 'signing my name to a pa per, and if .you" "That is what you want to propose?" George shrank back in bewilderment The awful significance of the proposal stunned him. drove his rage momenta rily from his brain, set him quivering from head to foot. He sat down on the bench opposite Telfare and lowered his face to his hands. His father's liberty wvas within his reach. Telfare chuckled contemptuously. "Ah, I see I hit you between the eyes! [ reckon you are sorry now that you ldn't wait till I had finished before you dared to-but that may pass. I imply .will not degrade myself, Buck ley, by visiting a. lady who is receIving a man of your standtng-even if she Is ed only by her sympathies, and if you will give up all claim to her and agree never to approach her on an equal foot tag again, I will liberate your father. Of course, you understand, I'd want some sort of petition to come to me only a few names of his neighbors will "And your object?" George asked, looking up. "Well. that's aprivate matter." an tcONTNUED ON NEXT PAGE.] 0ht0 FOl FALL AND INTER. -VI Our Fall and Winter Garments are now readyi and whatever your needs may be in Men's, Boys' or Ciiren' Clothing, Hats and Furnishing Goods, we woulY likethe pleasure of supplying. We would certainly like to number you among our regular patrons,e and we, hope to win'you. by the excel lence of our Clothing and the reasonableness of our prices. In New Quarters. We now occupy the Ryttenberg Building, Main and Liberty streets. ICLOT IGIL0 I.'T WL.DOUGLAS W.LDOULA5MAES MORES3SANDs3ES10ES 5 THE W. L. DOUGLAS AND ZEIGLER BRO.'S SHOES. THE W. L. DOUGLAS SHOES for Men and the SZEIGLER BRO. 'S SHOES for Women and Children ex Scel in quality, style and fit any other shoe on the market. Now to more circulate and prove the merit of thesp SShoes we will, during the month of November, sell shoes Sless than regular price, on the following conditions: ~EAny one bringing this advertisemient will get our W. SL. Douglas $4 Shoes at $3.50; $8.50 Shoes at $8; $8 Shoes Sat $2.50. The Zeigler Bro. 's Shoes we will sell accordingly. SRemember,. . SIt is only during this month that we can sell these Shoes for that price. After December 1st regular price will go Sinto effect again. Now if you want to make 50 cents or as many times 50 cents as you choose, come to the NEW IDEA and get the best Shoes made for yourself, wife and children. W 1W KR ASRNOFF. Prop.