Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-05-19

a pity you said that, because, unless
you apologize in one minute, l shall
make you sorry
"Apologize?" roared Slavin. "Apolo-
gize to your" calling him a vile name.
Graeme grew white and said, even
more slowly:
''Now you'll have to take it. No apol-
ogy will do"
He slowly stripped off coat and vest.
Mr.. Craig interposed, begging
Graeme to let the matter pass.
"Surely it is not worth it,
'Mr. Craig said Graeme, with an
easy smile, you don't understand. No
man can call me that name and walk
around afterward feeling WELL"
Then, turning to Slavin, he said:
snow, if you want minutes rest
can watt
Slavin, with a curse, bid him come.
"Blaney," said Graeme sharply, you
get back" Blaney promptly stepped
back to Keefes side. Nelson, you and
Baptiste can see that they stay there"
The old man nodded and looked at
Craig, who simply said:
10 the pest you can.
1t was good fight Slavin had plen-
ty Of pluck and for a time forced the
fighting, Graeme guarding easily and
tapping him aggravatingly about the
nose and eyes, drawing blood, but not
disabling him. Gradually there came
a look of fear into Slavins eyes, and
the beads stood upon his face. He had
met his master.
"Now, Slavin, you're beginning to be
sorry, and l am going to show you
what you are made Of"
Graeme made one or two lightning
passes, struck Slavin one, two, three
terrific blows and laid him quite fiat
and senseless.
Keefe and Blaney both sprang for
growl.
"Hold, therev 1t was old man Mel
son, looking along pistol barrel. ''You
know me, Keefe," he said. "You won't
do any murder this time"
Keefe turned green and yellow and
staggered back, while Slavin slowly
rose to his feet.
Twill you take some mOrew said
Graeme. "You haven't got much but,
mind, have stopped playing with you.
| Put up your gun, Nelson. No one will
interfere now"
Slavin hesitated, then rushed, but
Graeme stepped to meet him, and we
saw Slavin's heels in the air as he fell
back upon his neck and shoulders and
10 e,4; L; +ooe
'Bon!' yelled Baptiste. "Bully boy!
OATS de bon stuff! OATS larn him one
good lessonv' But Immediately he
shrieked, "Gar-r-r-r-e a vous!''
He was too late, for there was a
crash of breaking glass, and Graeme
fell to the floor with a long, deep cut
on the side of his head. Keefe had
hurled bottle with all too sure an
aim and had fed. l thought he was
dead, but we carried him out, and in a
few minutes he groaned, opened his
eyes and sank again into insensibility
"Where can we take him 2" l cried.
''To my shack" said Mr.. Craig.
''IS there no place nearer?"
Eyes; Mrs. MAYORS. 1 shall run on
to tell her."
She met us at the door. l had in
mind to say some words of apology
but when l looked upon her face for
got my words, forgot my business al
her door, and stood simply looking.
"Come in Bring him in. Please dc
not wait" she said, and her voice was
sweet and soft and firm.
We laid him in a large room at the
back of the shop over which Mrs. Ma
vOr lived. Together we dressed the
wound, her firm white fingers skillfu
as if with long training. Before tn,
dressing was finished l sent Craig off
for the time had come for the magi,
lantern in the church, and l knew how
critical the moment was in our fight.
go" | said. "He is coming to, ant
we do not need you"
, In a few moments more Graeme re
! vived and, gazing about, asked:
whats all this about?' and thel
I recollecting, "Ah, that brute Keefer
Then, seeing my anxious face he sait
carelessly: awful bore, isn't it? Sor
, ry to trouble you. old fellow"
. ''YOu be hangedr' l said shortly, TO
his old sweet smile was playing abou
: his lips and was almost too much TO
me. Mrs. Mavor and | are in com
: mand, and you must keep perfect.
still"
> "Mrs. Mavor?" he said in surprise
She came forward, with a Sigh
: flush on her face.
!. 81 think you know me, Mr.. Graeme.'
81 have often seen you and wished t
, know you. l am sorry to bring you tn
( trouble"
g You must not say So" she reptile
: ''but let me do all for you that l ca
5 And now the doctor says you are to |
f STILL"
'"The doctor? Oh, you mean Como
: He is hardly there yet You don't knO
each other. Permit me to present NJ
e Conner, Mrs. Mayor"