The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-27

That's an easy one" Rosser replied, ris-
ing. Sir" he continued, addressing the
stranger, II think it would be better il
yo9 would remove your chair to the other
emo OF the veranda. The presence Of gen.
tlemen is evidently an unfamiliar situation
to you"
The man sprang to his feet and strobe
forward with clenched hands, his face
white with rage. All. were now stand
ing. Sanchez stepped between the belliger-
you are hasty and unjust, he said to
Rosser; this gentleman has done nothing
to deserve such language
But kosser would not withdraw . word.
~ the custom of the country and the time
there could be but one outcome to the quar-
rel.
Il demand the satisfaction due GENTLE
man." said the stranger, who had become
more calm. Il have not an acquaintance
in this region. Perhaps you, sir" bowling
to Sanchez. will be kind enough to repre-
sent me in this matter"
Sanchez accepted the trust somewhat re-
luctantly, it must be confessed, for the
mans appearance and manner were not at
all to his liking. King. who during the
from the Strangers fsoe, os and his had e NOT
spoken word, consented with nod to
act for Rosser, and the upshot of it was that
the principals having retired, q meeting was
arranged for the next evening. The nature
of the arrangements has been already dis
closed. The duel with knives in dark
room was once comnoner feature of south
western life than it is likely to be again.
How thin q veneerinQ of "chivalry'' COW
cred the essential brutality of the code un-
der which such encounters were possible we
shall see.
In the blaze of a midsummer MONDAY the
old Manton house was hardly true to its
fraditIOna IN Wi nf tho oorkh norkh1v
The sunshine caressed it warmly and affec-
tionately, with evident Inconsistencies of
its bad reputation. The grass greening all
the expanse of its front seemed, not
rankly, but with natural and joyous exu-
berance, and the weeds blossomed quite
like plants. Full of charming lights and
shadows and popuious with pleasant-voiced
birds, the neglected shade trees no longer
struggled to run away, but bent reverently
beneath their burdens Of sun and song.
Even in the Rlassless upper windows was
an expression of peace and contentment,
due to the light within. Over the stony
fields the visible heat danced with a lively
tremOr incompatible with the gravity which
is an attribute of the supernatural.
Such was the aspect under which the
place presented itself to Sheriff Adams and
two other men who had come out from Mar
shall to look at it. One of these men was
Mr.. King, the sheriff's deputy; the other,
whose name was Brewer, was brother of
the late Mrs. Manton. Under law of the
state of Missouri relating to property which
has been for certain period abandoned by
ite owner, whose residences cannot be ascer-
sained. the sheriff was the legal custodian
of the Manton farm and the appurtenances
threunto belonging. His present visit was
in mere perfunctory compliance with some
order of a court in which MIR. Brewer had
an action to get possession of the property
as heir to his deceased sister. By a mere
coincidence the visit was made on the day
after the night that Deputy King had I'M
locked the house for another and very diff
ferent purpose. His presence now was not
of his own choosing, he had been ordered
to accompany his superior, and at the mo-
ment could think of nothing more prudent
than simulated alacrity of obedience. He
had intended going anyhow-but in other
company. -,
Carelessly unlocking the front door, the
sheriff was surprised to see lying on the
floor of the passage into which it opened a
confused heap OF mems apparel. Exami-
nation showed 1t to consist OF two hats aud
the same number of coats, walstcoats and
scarfs, all in remarkably good state Of
preservation, albeit somewhat defled by
the dust in which they lay. Mr.. Brewer
was equally astonished but Mr.. Kings
emotion is not of record. With new and
lively interest in his own actions, the
sheriff now unlocked and pushed open q
The room was apparently vacant-no: aa
their eyes became accustomed to the dim
mer light something was visible in the
farthest angle of the wall. It was human
figure, that of man crouching close in the
corner. Something in the attitude made
the intruders halt when they had barely
passed the threshold-halt and hold their