Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-06-09
A Brave Coward.
BY Robert Louis Stevenson,

BY Robert Louis Stevenson,
H. Continued


My wife and /. man and n woman,
have often agreed to wonder how q per-
son could be at the same time 30 hand
some and 80 repulElve aa Northmour,
He had the appearance OF finished
gentleman his face bore every mark
of Intelligence and courage, but you on
ly had to look at him, even In his most
amiable moment, to 500 that no had
the temper Of slave captain,
never knew a character that was
both explosive and revengeful to the
same degree; he combined the vlvaclty
OF the South with the sustained and
deadly hatreda OF the North; and both
traits were plainly written on his face,
which was sort of danger signal. In
person he was tall, strong and active;
his hair and complexion very dark his
features handsomely designed, but
spoiled by menaclng expression,
AT that moment he was somewhat
paler than by nature; he wore heavy
frown; and his lips worked, and he
looked sharply round as he walked like
man beslegcd with apprehenslons,
And yet thought he had look of
triumph underlying all, as though he
had already done much, and was near
the end OF an achievement.
Partly from soruple of delicacy-
which dare say came too late-partly
from the pleasure Of startling an ac-
quaintance, desired to make my pres
ence known to him without delay.
got suddenly to my feet, and step
ped forward.
"Northmour!" said /.
have never had 30 shocking a sur
prise In all my days. He leaped on me
without a word; something shone In
his hand; and he struck for my heart
with a dagger. At the same moment
/ knocked him head over heels. Wheth-
or II was my quickness, or his own un-
certainty, know not; but the blade
only grazed my shoulder, while the
hilt and his fist struck me violently
on the mouth
fed, but not far. had often and
often observed the capabilities of the
sand hills for protracted ambush on
stealthy advances and retreats; and,
not ten yards from the scene of the
scuffie, pumped down again upon the
grass. The lantern had fallen and gone
out. But what was my establishment
to see NOrthmour slip at bound into
the pavilion, and hear him bar the
door behind him with a clang of Iron!
He had not pursued me. He had run
away. Northmour, whom knew for
the most implacable and daring Of
men, had run away!
AS thus stood transRxed with
wonder, began to grow painfully con-
scious Of the injuries / had received
In the scuflle; skuked around among
the sand hills; and, by devious path,
regained the shelter OF the wood. On
the way, the old nurse passed again
within several yards OF me, still car
rying her lantern, on the return Jour-
ney to the mansion house Of Graden.
This made a seventh suspicious feature
in the case Northmour and his guests
It appeared, were to cook and do the
cleaning for themselves, while the old
woman continued to inhablt the big
empty barrack among the policies.
There must surely be great cause for
secrecy, when so many Inconvenience
were confronted to preserve II.
So thinking, made my way to the
den. For greater security, | trod out
the embers Of the fire, and lit my Ian
tern to examine the wound upon my
shoulder. It was triflng hurt,
though II bled freely, and dressed 1t
as well as could (for its position made
1t difficult to reach) with some rags
and cold water from the spring. While
/ was thus busted, mentally declar-
ed war against Northmour and his
mystery.