Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-10-16

u1In
II tell you, Bland, I don't need excuses.
Mac said that he had been called sud
denly away, and--I can't remember why
be wanted me to keep il, but"---
Bland said nothing; his supercilous, in.
credulous look was far more exasperating
than words. Nevertheless, being caught
with weapon had seemingly put Strong
| in the wrong, and he was less violent
Bland renewed the attack.
And now we're on these matters
Strong" he said, icily. "I'll give you some
more information"
"Shut up"
"You are engaged to be married, be-
lieveP"
LET that name be spoken but once by
your lying lips and"--
| Again the sheer.
at isn't necessary for me to speak the
name OF any one. Pun gentleman, and |
trust above"--
shut up. say. AS you value your life,
shut up"
The last words wero spoken almost
pleadingly. BANDS eyes were riveted on
those of his victim. There was in them a
mingling Of malice contempt vindictive-
ness, which was driving Strong on to
crime with fearful vehemence. He fin
gered the pistol nervously. UneXpressed
thoughts were coursing through his brain.
In obedience to one of these he seized the
weapon and raised it from the table.
81 tell you, Bland, you are provoking me
beyond endurance. Flesh and blood won't
stand it. Let up, for Gods sake" He
lowered the weapon and laid 1T down
again.
Am to sit here and listen to your blus.
ter because you happen to have temperi
Do you think to brighten me into the be-
lief that you would dare try to iniure me?"
II won't try to iniure you if you will re-
call your words as to those hold dear"
81 have spoken no such words"
"Your innuendoes then"
"Strong, you are a fool. For months
you have been secretly despised by every
man that comes to this den. You know it
and yet you act toward me rs if neither of
us knew it. suppose you will pretend to
know nothing about the hole in the cash
drawer when you were cashier in The
Times counting room"
81 never knew there was hole in the
cash drawer" cried the bounded man
with renewed fury and wonder blended.
$50 supposed" ironically.
Strong once more took up the weapon,
glazing at his prosecutor and painting like
Il deer at bay.
"Oh, lay that toy down. You only want
to brighten me with it. You wouldn't
dare use it."
Wouldn't dare?" He cooked it.
mo"
mot after the hints as to my BIRTH" He
pointed it at BANDS breast
Bland was silent.
And your vile suspicious thrown upon
one whose name if you had spoken it
would have pounded the life out of your"
lie put his forefnger on The trigger.
Still Bland said nothing.
And after your lying implication that
am thief"
Bland was sitting all the while opposite
the muZzle of the pistol pointed at his
breast. He had shown himself master of
facial expression, and now gathered his
forces for a browning effert Every feature
was brought into play to form picture Of
haunting malice. He remembered once re-
porting case where a young man had
dared friend who was pointing knife at
him to stab him and got stuck for his
pains. He resolved to hold Strong to his
purpose by similar procedure.
You dare not"
, 81 dare notf"
mo"
Strong sat glaring into the face of the
, man who had goaded him till self control
was obliterated. BANDS eyes were Turing
him to evil as snake charms bird to
its destruction.
\ 81 knew you dared not. I knew you
/ hadn't the nerve l knew you We're a
coward, thief, a.
There was a report and Bland fell back
in his chair.
The first words that broke the stiffness
which followed went from some one out
side;
t My Godl the thing was loaded after
ALL"
The door opened and a dozen men rushed
into the room. Strong was sitting with
T the smoking weapon in his hand leaning
forward, his eyes starting out of his head
| and riveted on Bland. Scarcely had the
crowd entered when Bland sat up, while
= the pleasantest of all the smiles that had
ever charmed his companions broke over
3 his face His shirt front was a trihe black
l ened with powder, but he was otherwise
uninjured. In his right hand, between hi.
, first and second fingers, was a cigarette
t AS the men crowded in, Bland put the
t weed between his lips and, drawing long
breath, threw his head back and blew
t ring of smoke in the air directly above him
: behold the wreath of victoryW he sale
. gayly. Then rising from his seat he went
t around to Strong and seized him in his
/ arms. 'Percy, dear boy" he said, sit wa,
t all "A guy; it was about a bet. I've won
| and YOU shall drink all my share of thl
!, wine"
Then, for Gods sake, bring it on quick
n think Pm going to keel over"
}, A bottle was produced. and Bland pour
1 ing out glass put his arm arount
Strong's neck and with the other held the
I foamiug wine to his lips. Glass after glas
$ found its way down his throat before hi
equanimity was restored and the colo
o came back TO his cheek. But once himsel
!, again he became as interested as thu
Others in the result of the experiment anC
} quite proud of having performed 80 i'm
portant a part in it. Such is youth.
Mac" said Bland, when quiet was re
stored what did you want to risk putting
my eyes out for? | told you TO draw no
only the ball, but the charge"
: 81 thought it would have more dra
= matte effect to leave a little powder in tn;
iron There wasn't enough to kill a supe