Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-04-19

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and in the gathering gloom beheld Capt.
portal behind him.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE HINT OF THE EARTHQUAKE.
The advent of this man, whom all the laws
of dueling prohibited seeking me at the pres
ent stage of affairs, oceasioned something of
shock. The manner of his entry, the tragic
aspect of nature, and the sickly-green light
enveloping everything within and without;
the clamorous advance of the storm, and per-
haps as much as anything, the sudden re-
vulsion Of temper caused by seeing him,
threw me for the moment off my mental
balance, and stood without moving, gaz-
ing at him as might have gazed at an ap-
partition.
As we thus faced each other, l noticed that
he was hatless, coatless, and without side
arms, the latter fact causing me further sur
prise, as was aware of the extreme pride
British officer has in his sword and his re-
luctance to lay it beyond his reach.
Hard upon these details came three others
of different nature. saw at once that the
man was intoxicated, though not beyond his
own control; that in his left hand he had an
open paper, while his right, which still hung
by his side, held cooked pistol, though this
I would not have seen but for the sudden
CLEAN of flash of lightning. 1t gave me a
quick realization of the fact that / was in
great danger and without the means of COM
batting it, for my sword was in the closet,
while both pistols and rife lay unloaded in
a corner.
The crash of thunder following the flash
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action was equally out of the question, for
was casting searching glances about the room
for some means of defense, he raised the
weapon and leveled it at me.
/ could fathom no motive for his thus at
lacking ME, save the heat in his rum-mad.
dened brain, and, were he impelled by drink,
my position was doubly critical. Had there
been ghost of chance to act in the ag-
gressive, in this desperate moment / should
have availed myself of it; but not even that
really formidable weapon and guard, chair,
was nearer than the table, and to have made
move toward it felt meant certain de-
Btruction. A sudden attack on him was out
IF my power, for betwixt US interviewed the
broad table itself, which made it impossible
TO avail myself of the tactics had used with
Lounsbury. There was naught for me to do
but stand as was and await the terrible
issue.
However, as he remained silent, man.
nged to find my voice, and, as the thunder
| rolled in the distance, ! shouted:
capt. Scanned, are you SO demented or
% cowardly and 30 lost to honor that you
will murder the man you challenged to tight
in the feld?"
Without swervs of the arm, he answered
stsrnly:
"Sit DOWN."
Even thus beset, it irked me to obey him
like . schoolboy, but realized that, armed,
under the existing circumstances he was far
stronger than with all my sinews. Wisely,
then, l swallowed my ire, and, approaching
the table, seated myself with the hope thai
he would come within reach.
He was not allow in following, for he
stepped forward and carefully slid into the
chair opposite, though not for second un-
covering me with the muzzle of his pistol, or,
for that matter, taking his eye from mine.
And here we sat while flash and crash fol-
lowed each other in quick succession. Ny
brain worked rapidly enough, but as the sec
onds sped no way could 1 find to rid me of the
shining ring of steel confronting me or turn
for moment the equally brilliant CLINT of
his eye, each of which acquired clearness
with the fitful lighting of the room.
The table was too broad for an onslaught,
and now that we were closer, could see
the nerves of the man were at full tension,
and thnt on the slightest hostile move on my
Fart he would pull the trigger.
I hoped lightning would strike the house
and put an end to the situation, which at
last began to have its effect on me; and I
take it that no man can long stand the scowl
Of loaded barrel backed by determined
yet silent enemy without undergoing more
or less strain.
Twas even wishing that the heavens would
let loose bolt and finish the matter, or that
the man opposite would open his lips and
speak, despite the roar, when felt the floor
beneath me tremble, as though the house
was shaken by mighty power. It passed
in the instant, and as it did 80 the thunder
faded away for the moment, and Scam
nell, lowering his hand, let it rest on the
edge of the table, whence the pistol held me
| full in the chest. Then he spoke and per-
haps because the excitement indoors and out
had partly sobered him, his words came
clearly:
II have here your ID message in my
hand, but, as you may well guess, it is fore
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tomorrow morning"
Because you deem it safer to murder me
now?" l returned calmly. "Give me but"
Shut your MOUTH he interrupted, let
ting go his temper. do you think am here
to handy words with rebel? Capt. Donald
| Thorndye, alias Lounsbury, you are close on
to the end of your rope, and you'll find that
| end has moose in it, you cursed spy! What"
he continued, rising in his increasing rage,
and Immediately reseating himself, while
his voice grew louder, "do you think am
fool, or SO blind that may not see through
a riddle? I have found you out, hide and
hair-Thorndyke, of Martha's Vineyard
smuggler- Had you escaped me
this day, and been off on Clinton's business,
which doubtless lies there" (pointing to my
papers, which lay on the table,, 1T would
have hunted you down had it cost me my
commission. Escape me? No, by the gods!
From the beginning l fancied you the fraud
you are, and at the Bulls Head, by your
words and fine airs, you made me sure Of it.
You slipped your role. You'll find your hen.
hawk has sharp eyes, and, giant though you
be, you will see that seamew is nothing in
his grip. Nay, I have not come to shoot you
down as you deserve, but know your in
fernal tricks, and mean to hold you where
you belong. take it twill afford me more
pleasure to see you dance at ropes end
than dirty my hands with your blood, save
you make it urgent. Let me clinch the mat
ter now, and then make you ready to march.
Below stairs at this moment is Lounsbury in
the flesh, and with him file of men to take
you off. This bit of play was for my own
pleasure, and, having had it, I'll be your
valet and stay by your heels until you are
safely delivered to Cunningham. Now God
rest your miserable soul! Have you aught
to say before give the word to the rest?"
To state that was unaffected by these
words, which were poured forth in ton
rent as though my tormentor feared inter
ruption, would be false. saw my plans for
the future, my hope for life itself, swept
away together, and nothing but blank,
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