The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-17
GATHERING STORM
BY FREDERICK UNITE

very nice thing in giving her this chance.
She was probably sorry now that she had
used him so badly. And then, after they
were married, he would make her pay
heavily for all the trouble she had caused
him, and she-she should pay for Nc
Govern too.
| The train reached Millyile, and Clancy
was driven to the hotel. He was shown
to a stufy room and told that supper
would be ready for him when he came
downstairs. After a meal that was very
unlike a New York meal he went out on
the porch and lit a cigar
He was surprised to find that the town
Of Millville apparently, consisted of the
hotel, a store and two or three scattering
houses. He wondered where Maggie was
staying. In some farmhouse probably,
but he realized now that he had started
out blindly and might have considerable
trouble in finding her.
A man in his shirt sleeves came up the
steps of the piazza and sat down.
Evening"" he said.
Good evening" replied Clancy. Fine
weather.
''T'hats right" said the man, brt on
less I'm mistaken it's fxin' fer Storm
Up here fer long?' he asked, glancing at
Clancy.
only a day or two; wanted to have
look at the country"
''Mebbe you'll be like the Teller I see
over to Buckley's the other day; came up
about the middle of May fer a week, an
he's here yft. Queer feller," he added re-
f1ectively.
Clancy saw McGovern again looming
out of the darkness. Was 1t possible that
he was right after all? 'What's he look
like?' he asked carelessly. "a man knew
came up this way about that time, and
I amt seen him since''
nj he:
short. stocky chap, with a mouth that
goes straight across, 'cept when he laughs,
an then he amt so bad lookin'."
Clancy controlled himself with an effort.
It was true, then. McGovern was here,
and Maggie THAT might be him. he
forced himself to say. Look him up to-
morrow. Any place to get drink here?
he asked suddenly.
''Waal, it's hardly fer me to say" an
swered the other, chuckling, 'bein' a
jestice of the peace; but, SEEM you're a
stranger, p'raps we might find a little
somethin unofficialy." He led the way
to door at one end of the house, and
| they went inside.
1t was half an hour later when they
came out. The face Of the Justice was
| Wreathed in smiles. Now, always did
say he announced, that I could read
a man like book, an l knew ther' was
somethin' queer about that feller when
first set eyes on him. But you fooled
me-" he added pensively. ITO think OF
you bein' a New York detective an look
| in fer this very feller!'
| "That's do for now" said Clancy. you
go ho1ae an come back in the nlorn1n',
an then We'll see."
| The justice shook hands effusively and
| departed, leaving Clancy to think things
out. He had not intended to say SO much.
but his tongue had run away with him.
He had conveyed the impression that he
had been sent to find Shorty McGovern,
thief, suspected Of doing big job In the
city. He had no warrant, no papers of
any kind, but the police shield, pinned to
! his suspender, was sufficient to clinch
| his story. He was sorry now that he had
talked so freely, for he foresaw difficulties.
However, tomorrow he would be face to
face with McGovern, and then-he would
see what to do.
Fortunately or unfortunately the dissi-
paticE of the night before had provo1 too
much for the justice, and 1t was almost
clock in the afternoon when they finally
started In g. blackboard. f.s,,
Clancy was in bad temper. He had
been drinking more or less all day, and
even the prospect of meeting his enemy
did not cheer him. The thought OF Mag
gle worried him. Whatever he did 1t
would hurt her, and did he really want to
hurt her? He feared he was losing his
nerve At one moment he wanted to
destroy them both; at the next thoughts
| Of consideration for the girl surprised and
| annoyed him.
'Told you it was goin' to Storm" said
the Justice as they pulled up for a moment
on a hilltop. "Look at them clouds up
north an hear the rumble"
AS they came in sight Of Buckley's
figure crossed the road in front of them.
''That's him!" Clancy looked. There was
no doubt of it. It was McGovern.
| 'sWhip I'D" he said. II don't want him
tot SEQ me now" They went by at good
pace unrecognized by Shorty in the gloom
Of the gathering storm.
The justice urged his horses forward.
| and as the storm burst in all it's fury they
| drove in Colonel Hawkins stable yard.