Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1896-11-19

prisoners on Their own recoEnlzahces
and it was probable that the deputy saw
no harm in granting Pinckneys re-
quest, which was virtually only delay
In his own liberation. Ii is also poSsi-
bic that Pinckney had worked upon the
chivalrous sympathies of the man by
processing his Discrimination Ia leave
their devoted colleague, Mrs. Brant, at
the mercy of her antagonistic and cold
blcoded husband at such n crisis, and II
Is to he feared, also, that Clarence, MS a
reputed lukewarm partisan, excited no
personal sympathy even from his own
party. lIowbcit, the deputy agreed 10
delay Pinckaeys Journey for parting
interview with his fair hostess.
How far this expressed the real sem
timcnts of Capt. Pinckney was never
known. Whether his political associa-
ton with Mrs. Brant had developed into
warmer solicitude, understood or ig-
nored by her, and what were his hopes
and aspirations regarding his future
was by the course of fate never dis
closed. A man OF easy ethics but rigid
artificialities of honor, fiattered and
pampered 10y class prejudice, n So
called IMAM of the world" with no ex-
perience beyond his own limited circle,
yet brave and devoted 10 that, il were
well, perhaps, 10 leave that last act Of
his Intellectual life TO the simple record
of the deputy.
Dismountiug. he approached the house
from the garden. He was already ia
miliRr with the low arched doorway
which led TO the business room, and
from which he could gain Rdmittance
TO the patio. But IL so Glanced that hs
entered the dark passage ut the mo-
ment that Clarence had thrust Susy into
the business room, and heard It's door
shut sharply. For an instant he be-
lieved that Mrs. Brant had taken ref
uge there, but as he cautiously moved
forward he heard her voice In the patio
beyond. Its accents struck him as
pleading: an intense curiosity drew him
further along the passage. Suddenly
her voice seemed 10 change 10 angry
Pronunciation. and the word Liar" rang
upon his ears. II was followed by his
own name uttered sardonically by Clar-
cnce, the swift rustic of a skirt, the
clash of the gate, and then, forgetting
everything, he burst into the patio.
Clarence was just turning from the
gate with the marks OF his wife's hand
still rcd on his white check. He saw
Capt. Pinckney's eyes upon il, and a
faint, half-malicious, half-hysteric
smile upon his lips. But without a
start or gesture of surprise, he locked
the gate, and turning to him, said, with
frigid significance:
81 thank you for returning so prompt
ly, and for recognizing the only thing
now require at your hands"
But Capt. Pinckney had recovered
his supercilious ease with the signih-
cant demand.
"You seem 90 have had something al
ready from another's hand, sir-but
am at your service" he said, lightly.
"You will consider that have &C.
cepted IL from you, sir" said Clarence
drawing closer TO him with a rigid
face. Il suppose il will not he neces-
sary for me to return ito make you
| understand me.
60 on" said Pinckney, flushing
slightly. Make your terms. / am
7eady."
"But I'm not" said the unexpected
voice of the deputy at the grille of the
gateway. Excuse my interfering, gen.
tlemen, but this sort o. thing amt down
in my schedule. I've let this gentle
man." pointing to Capt. Pinckney, "ofl
for a mint 10 say good-by to a lady
| who. l reckon. has just ridden off in
her buggy with her servant, wi:hou,
saying by your leave-but don't cal
kerlate to let him inter another business
which, like as not, will prevent me from
deliverin' his body safe and sound into
court You hear met" AS Clarence
opened the gate he added: II DOM
want ter spoil sport between gents, but
it's got TO come in after I've done my
duty"
"I'll meet you, sir, anywhere, and
with what weapons you choose" said
Pinckney, turning angrily upon Clar
ence, " as soon as this farce-for which
you and your friends are responsible
is over" He was furious at the refiec
tion that Mrs. Brant had escaped him.
A different thought was in the hus
bands mind. But what assurance hav,
l that you are going on with the dep
uty?" he said, with purposely insulting
deliberation.
MY word, sir" said Capt. Pinckney
sharply.
And IL that amt enuff, there's
NINE" said the deputy. For if thi:
gentleman swerves to the right or left
betwixt this and Santa Inez, I'll blow g
hole through him myself! And that,
he added. deprecatingly, lis saying q
good deal for a man who doesn't want
to spoil sport, and, for the matter Of
that, is willing to stand by and see fail
play done at Santa Inez any time to
morrow before breakfast"
Then / can count on your" sait
Clarence. with a sudden impulse, ex
tending his hand.
The man hesitated a moment, AND
then grasped it. "Well, / wasn't ex
pecting that" he said, slowly; but YOU
look as IL you meant business, and i
you amt got anybody else to see YOU
through, I'm thar! Isuppose this gen
tleman will have his friends?"
Il shall be there at six with my sec
onds," said Pinckney. CURLY "LeaC
on"
The gate closed behind them. Clar
cnce looked around the now empty
patio. and the silent house, from which
he could now see that the servants hao
been withdrawn to insure the secrecy
of the gathering. Cool and collected al
he knew he was, he stood still for {
moment in hesitation. Then the sounC
% voices came to his ear from the gar
den room, the light frivolity OF Susy';
laugh, and Hooker's huskier accents
He had forgotten they were there-h'
had even forgotten their existence.
Trusting still to his calmness, b,
called to Hooker in his usual voice
That gentleman appeared with a fac
| Il. L.