Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1888-12-01
CHAPTER XXXVI.

tried to step off the counting room piazza,
and almost made up his mind it would he
more desirable to lie down in some soft spot
and so to sleep, than take the long walk he
had set himself. But the cool breeze seemed
to refresh him marvelously, and in another
moment he despised the green hollow under
the elm that had looked so inviting, and
hurried up toward Philip Bretons house.
He shook his head wisely as he walked 1t
took a pretty smart man to get ahead of
John Giddings, drunk or sober. Tho young
mill owner wasn't nearly as frightened as
usual. Something was in the wind. He
ought to have watched him closer lately, but
Giddings concluded he was in good time yet
with Breton at one end Of tho village, his
wife at the othe", and himself, the acute
lawyer. between them.
The lawyer Lad walked cs far US Silas
Ellingsworths house, when he caught sight
of pair of horses on fast trot, drawing
close coupe. Elegant pairs and chariots of
that description were not so common in
Bretonville as to make it doubtful who might
own this one, and besides it must have been
an occasion of peculiar necessity that called
for such unarstocratic haste Giddings was
perfectly delighted with his own sagacity.
He knew human nature pretty well. When
q man gets another in an unpleasant situa-
tion, he must count on the unfortunate
struggling to escape. If it happens to be
woman, he need not be so watchful-women
are all fatalists But it takes pretty smart
man to get ahead of John Giddings.
Whoa, whoa, l say The lawyer had
thrown himself in front of the excited horses,
and the driver had to pull up to keep from
running over him. "Whoa, say"
Then he stepped to the door of the carriage
and turning the knob threw it wide open.
The moonlight revealed a woman surrounded
with carpet bags and shawls. thick brown
veil concealed her features, but Mr.. Giddings
took off his hat to her.
"Mrs. Breton, believe"
"Why yes,n she did not recognize him,
"but am in a hurry" she said nervously
drawing back.
"Drive on Henry"
mo, you don't,5 insisted Giddings, mount
ing the steps "f guess you don't know me-"
His liquor began to overcome him again,
''names Giddings, amt goin' far, are youf"
mixing him at last. 81 have no further occa-
sion for your services, l have paid you,
haven't II"
mot smuch as your second husbands paid
me since," he gurgled. 'If you're goin' SO
far, guess I'll go to, like your family, Miss
Breton"
Drive on, command you, )" she screamed,
and the horses started Giddings lurched
forward, and Bertha put out her white hands
and tried to push him back. He clutched,
with an oath, at something to hold to, but
she loosened her India shawl and the man
carried it with him into the ditch. But he
leaped to his feet
1Hold! stop! police! policel' but Giddings
had no sooner spoken than the village police
man laid his hand on his arm.
"Here am, sir, what'n you have!"
''Stop that carriage; arrest that woman,
she is a criminal" Giddings had shaken off
the polceman's grasp and started to run after
the carriage.
''You must be very drunk, said the other,
overtaking him, ''that is Mr.. Breton's wife"
~ know that" screamed the lawyer, land
tell you to stop her, let me 60"
more likely you're the criminal Halo,
what you doing with that Indy shawl. Guess
I'll have to lock you up. Come along quiet,
now"
But Giddings was perfectly frantic: He
fought with his feet and hands, and with ms
teeth, kicking, tearing and biting like wild
beast.
Don't let her escape, say, never mind
me, I'll give you thousand dollars. I'll tear
your heart out, you villain. Stop her, stop
herw The officer grew angry at last, and
drew his billet, but still the fellow struggled
and screamed like wild creature, tilI blow
after blow paralyzed his arms, and finally
stretched him unconscious and bleeding on
"fremens," growled the policeman, as he
lifted him to his feet soon after, and led him
along, subdued at last
But a woman had stood in her window as
the carriage had rolled by, and she had rec
ognized the equipage, too. sudden change
came over her face.
"Where are you going, Jennier' Her hus
band looked up calmly from his paper.
"Out minute" she hardly looked at him,
'that is ALL"
"But it is almost o'clock, my dear, what
can you want out"
Her breath came fast, and two bright red
spots burned in her cheeks. Mr.. EllingsWorth
had never seen her SO pretty. He must keep
her SO a few moments He stepped to the
door and turned the key, then he put it In his
pocket and threw himself back on bis chair
again.
"How dare you-am your SLAYER want
to go out"
Her husband settled down cozily in his
seat, and smiled his old brilliant smile. She
had never seen him laugh any more than the
rest of his acquaintance. He might, per-
hans. have laughed before an intimate, but
men like Silas Ellingsworth have no inti-
mates.
"How lovely you are when you are angry.
7 sea / have made mistake in being so ami
able with YOU What treats l have lost.
Why, you are better than an actress my
dear. Such coloring as yours does not hurt
the complexion"
rolled away out of sight; her victim had out
witted her-her hate would be baked for
ever. and all for her husbands foolish
caprice. She stamped her foot at him. II
must CO." There was yet time to rouse the
VILLAGERS. and fetch back the fugitives from
Justice Oh, what devil Of stupidity had
Dossessed her wise husband tonight "Give
me the key" She had come close to him, but
she did not scream when she was angry, her
voice grew low and almost hoarse, ''or Will
leave you forever" ia.
He had laid aside his paper now, with quite
a serious air, and Jane felt vaguely Irlght-
Could he do any more than others when they
are angry2 She did not reason about 1t; she
only began to be afraid Of her own words;
His was the only nature in the world could