Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1897-12-15

the uillL vi lliC COANClcdiAOA- LINZ -
flash he remembered that Mary had
often of late taken a stroll In the gar
den at dusk. Was this the explana-
ton?
Phineas had been glaring at the
couple from behind the pea sticks for
ten minutes OF so when he saw his wife
take q rosebud from his favorite tree
and hand 1t over the hedge with a
charming smile TO the delighted Herr
Schmidt. Then, with pleasant Good
nightr Mrs. Peel tripped lightly into
the house.
"You villainr' Kissed Phineas saw
agely, jumping from his seat and shak-
ing his fist after the retreating figure In
the next garden. 'Tll pay you out for
this
The rage of Mr.. Peel was something
to be remembered. Nothing but blood,
he vowed, would obllterate his wrongs.
But he would be cautious. He would
smile and smile, and murder while he
smiled. Selling pea stick, he tragi-
cally buried 1t in the heart of an I'M
offending cabbage, and played havoc
with a stately row of sunfiowers.
Half an hour later Mary saw him
take down a huge old-fashioned duck
gun from the hook In the hail.
There's a German vulture in the
neighborhood," he volunteered impress
sively, land I'm going to bag him at
the first opportunity"
However, as nothing short Of an
earthquake would have induced the old
gun to go off In any circumstances
and Phineas had made assurances
doubly sure by dropping in the shot
first and powder afterward-the 'vul-
ture" in question was not likely to be
seriously damaged, and Mary content
ed herself with expressing hope that
her husband would not hurt himself.
On the following evening, Phineas
took up his old position in the garden
with murder in his heart. Herr Schmidt,
however, did not put in an appearance.
After waiting some time. Phineas re-
entered the house and reared his duck
gun up in the hall liz n conspicuous po-
stion.
He had almost decided to run up to
town and consult his brother John, the
detective, with a view to having the
movements of Herr Schmidt watched
when he was startled by the click Of
the letter box.
A scrap of paper lay on the mat.
Picking 1t up, Phneas glanced at It,
turned deadly pale. then hurried into
the garden. Scrubbed in lead pencil
on dirty paper was the following:
"Peel has discovered everything. We
have not a moment to lose, and must
clear out tonight. The front door Is
unsafe. VIII meet you at the back
1920 sharp"
"There was no signature.
"Good graciousw calculated Phineas
after reading the note for the third
time. I'd no idea matters had gone
so far. ooh, yes, Mr.. Schmidt" he add
ed grimly, 'Ill meet you at 1920
sharp"
1t was about 1916 and raining heav-
lily. Phineas Peel, seated on a wall
overlooking the back Of Rhyd cottage,
with his duck gun laid across his knees,
was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
"The note said 1O:3O," he muttered.
at must be after that time now What's
that?"
Phineas had caught the sound OF
heavy feet moving cautiously over the
gravel. He grasped his gun and peered
into the gloom, but could distinguish
nothing.
Suddenly he heard voices, evidently
at the front of the house. He was about
to quit his place under the impression
that Herr Schmidt was leaving by the
front door after all, when one Of the
back windows was cautiously raised
and the 1.-the form of the naturalist
dropped lightly to the ground.
Creeping along the side of the wall
on which Phineas lay he presented an
excellent mark. Mr.. Peel, however,
could not bring himself to shoot man
down in cold blood. He would give him
a chance.
"Stop, you scoundrel" he shouted.
The effect of the challenge was
scarcely what Phineas had anticipated.
Herr Schmidt darted forward and
seized the barrel of the gun.
He was much the stronger of the two
and Phineas was pulled from the wall
in twinkllng. Lying on the broad of
his back on the gravel in a half dazed
condition he saw the tall form of
Schmidt standing over him with the
| gun raised.
Keep your tongue still, you fool,''
he Kissed. "or I'll brain you. Now
! quick-help me over the wall"
Phineas hesltated, but the threaten
| ing attitude of the other induced him
to rise. However, he had no intention
of giving In.
0beying his instructions he caught
hold of Schmldt's foot to give him "a
leg up" Before the naturalist could
grip the top Of the wall, however, Phin-
cas- saw his opportunity.
Bracing himself for the effort, he ex-
erted all his strength and pulled
Schmidt bodily from the wall. He fell
| fiat OH his face, and before he could re-