The Lamar register., 1902-08-20

tGheN MS StdEu upon LIB ehoii ~
was ready to hold up his end of the
game. no matter what prevailed
against him.
The beauty of the night and their
desire for exercise after being cooped
up in the cars so long a time induced
the two friends to saunter quite dis
tancc.
A band was playing back in the re-
gion from whence they had come. ana
the music reached their ears. mellow
ed by distance.
Away from the crowd of fashion,
ables. who promenaded under the cleo
tric lights. where the palm trees threw
their mystic shade upon the white
strand-away from the noise and con-
fusion attendant upon watering
place. they could smoke and chat IN
comfort, as men OF their stamp delight
to do.
As to the possibility of danger lurk-
ing near, the thought had not occurred
to them-brave men are sometimes
reckless: at least they do not always
keep on the lookout for hidden peril.
Even Jones. cautious by nature.
could not suspect that the count would
have set wirss in motion SO soon aftcr
his arrival.
Perhaps, after all, he had not yet
fully sized up the man from AFRICA
whose very first act upon reaching
Nice had been an aggressive one.
Some men would rather cater to the
influences of revenge and cupid.ty
than enjoy dinner.
Count Leon was the chief among
them.
More than once Merrick. who was
something of a sailor and loved the
sea, turned squareiy toward the wa
ter and endeavored to catch the salty
aroma that came stealing In off the
Mediterranean.
Lights of vessels riding at anchor
could be seen. but the darkness con-
cealed their outlines.
No doubt some of them were steam
Yachts belonging to the nabobs VINO
congregated along this favored coast
while the Frost King held most OF Eu-
rope in his arctic clutches.
"Oh, my dear boy" said Jones.
heartily. lust have patience for rev
days, and l think l can promise you
Yacht in which we may steam all
around the world. That would be
small thing to man who breaks the
bank at Monte Carlo. Yes. you shall
find yourself on board one OF those
fools paradise boats out yonder before
a week has passed.
These good hearted fellows did not
dream that his prediction would more
than come true. simply because ne
could not possibly lift the veil and pry
into the future.
Yet there was an experience hover
ing over Merrick that would add still
another chapter to his already check
cred career.
They had just turned to head back
to the glow of electric lights, where
the crowd was most in evidence. when
a number of men came jostling along
arm in arm, singing us only jack tars
can when on shore leave. and appar-
emily pretty much the worse for liquor.
1t was surely the intention OF our
two comrades to sheer OF and give
them all the room they needed. but
sudden staggering lurch sent the roll
licking line directly across their path.
One of them insolently struck Mer-
rick, and quick as flash received
blow straight from the shoulder that
laid him out upon the sand.
or course after that peace was out
of the question. and both Jones and
his friend found it necessary to defend
themselves against the fierce attack OF
the unknown seamen.
Jones was startled to discover that.
member of the enemy's forces showed
once, the fight was on. not single
the least sigr. of drunkenness and he
was forced to suspect that possibly
this condition had been assumed for
some purpose.
No matter whether it was an acci-
dent or part of deep design. the sail
ors' onset was SO vigorous and fierce
there was no time to make cxplana-
ton or offer apologies for being on
the earth at the same time as these
worthless.
ITO be continued.)