The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1896-06-11

CRY broke from her lips % shs recognised him.
Of the purpose, they are at liberty to
withdraw from the meeting-giving
their honor as southern gentlemen to
keep the secret intact"
"Not il know II" interrupted stall
wart Kentuckian as he rose to his feet
and strobe down the steps to the patio.
For" he added, placing his back
against the gateway, "I'll shoot the first
coward that backs out now"
A roar of laughter and approval fol-
lowed, but was silenced again by The
quiet, unimpassioned voice OF the stran.
ger.
If, on the other hand" he went on
calmly, "you all feel that this news is
the fitting elimination and consecru
ton of the hopes, wishes and plans OF
this meeting, you will assert it agu.n,
on your own signatures, to Col Star.
bottle at this table"
When the kentuckian had risen Clar-
cree had started from his concealment,
when he now saw the eager figures
pressing forward to the table he hest.
tnted no longer.
Slipping along the passage he reached
the staircase which led to the corridor
in the rear of the balcony. Descending
this rapidly he not only came upon the
backs of the excited crowd around the
table, but even elbowed one of the CON
spirators aside without being noticed.
His wife, who had risen from her
chair at the end Of the balcony, was al.
ready moving toward the table. With
a quick movement he seized her wrist
and threw her back into the chair again
A cry broke from her lips as she rec
ognized him, but still holding her wrist
he stepped quickly between her and the
astonished crowd.
There was moment of silence, tllci
the cry of "Spy" and Seize him" rose
quickly, but above all the voice au,l
figure of the Missourian was heard
commanding them to stand back
Turning to Clarence, he said, quickly
81 should know your face, sir. Who
are you?"
"The husband Of this woman and the
master of this house." said Clarence, as
quickly, but in voice he hardly recog
nized as his own.
"Stand aside from her, then, unless
you are hoping that her danger may
protect you," said the Heell sHseell snckian, sig.
pacantly drawing his revolver.
But Mrs. Brant sprang suddenly to
her feet beside Clarence. 1--WE are
neither of us towards, Mr.. Brooks.
though he speaks the truth--and, more
shame to me-" she added, with look
Of savage scorn at Clarence-"is my
husband"
But what is your purpose in coming
here" continued Judge Beeswinger,
with his eyes fixed on Clarence.
Il have given you all the informa-
tion," said Clarence, quietly, "that is
necessary to make you, as gentleman,
Leave this house at once--and that Is
my purpose. It is all the information
you will get from me as long as you
and your friends insult my wife with
| your unlimited presence. What may
have to say to you, and each of you
hereafter-what l may choose to de-
mand of you, according to your own
code of honor,"-he fixed his eyes on
Capt. Pinckney's-"is another gues
tion and one not usually discussed be
fore a lady"
| "Pardon me. A moment--a single
moment"
1t was the voice Of Col. Starbottle;
1t was the frilled shirt front, the light
ly buttoned blue coat with its expand
ing lapels, like bursting petals, and
the smiling mask Of that gentleman
rising above the table and bowling to
Clarence Brant and his wife with in
finite courtesy.
"The--er--humiliating situation in
which we find ourselves, gentlemen
the reluctant witnesses of--er--what
we trust is only a temporary disagree
ment between our charming hostess
and the-er-gentleman whom she had
recognized under the highest title to
our onsideration--is distressing to us
all, and would seem to amply justify
that gentleman's claims to a personal
satisfaction, which know we would
all delight to give. But that situation
rests upon the supposition that our
gathering here was Of purely social
or festive nature!
at may be-" continued the colonel,
with blandly reflective air, "that the
spectacle of these decanters md
| glasses, and the nectar furnished us
by our IIebelile hostess he lifted b
Riass vi NhiaAy did watst W Nia iibl