The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-22
CHAPTER III.
IN WHICH THE WORLD ENDS FOR
ONE MAN AND BEGINS FOR AN
OTHER.

ONE MAN AND BEGINS tOh AN
OTHER.
The scene that met our gaze as we got
| through the door was anything but consol-
/ ing. In fact, my companion drew back
against me as she entered. and instinctively
| grasped my arm. For the room. which at
best was about what might have been ex-
| pected from the exterior OF the house, was
now filled with the fumes of foul tobacco:
and the long, low ceiling was black with
the smoke of lamps that spluttered and
smelt till the atmosphere turned the gorge.
AT one end burned fire in a huge fire
place Two or three common tables were in
the room, and around one of these half
dozen men stood holding their mugs high
/ in the air as they reeled about and sang in
| drunken discord:
For he's a cho-l-l-y good fel-lo-o-w!
! FIR he's a cho-l-l-y good fel-lo-o-w!
! FIR he's a cho-l-l-y good fel-elo-o-o-o-w.
As nobody ca-an de-e-ny-y-y!
1t was clear enough that the jolly good
fellow on this occasion was a wretched
lump of clay lying in most inhuman post
ure under the table. AT the farther end of
the room stood bench. which, from the
bottles upon Il, was evidently the bar and
behind this leaned the tavern keeper,
humping out the time with a pewter mug
AS the company appeared TO take not the
slightest notice of US, but continued TO cele-
brate the virtues of their for the time de-
parted friend, 1 led my companion over 10
the fireplace, drew up a stool for her and
babe her sit quietly for the double purpose
of drying her clothing and avoiding any un-
necessary attention from the other occu-
pants of the room. Then, still moving quiet
| iy, 1 approached the landlord. and, with
many a misgiving asked him for some sort
of food and drink.
aye food there is none," cried he; but
you can drink yourself to death, an you
will. my friend"
And forthwith he pointed to row of ale
kegs.
Listen to ne, landlord" said 1 sterniy.
II have lady here. and she must have
food and lodging this night"
got no further. for he began humping
upon his bar and shouted to the jewellers:
Hi, boys look here! What in hell's name
do we nowl Stop yer screaming and howl
ing! Do yer not see there's gentry present."
The noise ceased in a moment, and the
company stood looking at the tavern keep
er, and then. following the line of his finger,
all turned like automatons TO where the
girl sat bending over the fire. 1 had an in
slant to study them closer, and became
aware, as one will in the twinkling of an
eye. that one of the company appeared TO
| be Of a better sort. He wore top boots and
riding breeks and a swallow-tail coat, be-
fouled with mud, and by his side hung a
long sword. Another was a somber, long
faced countryman, while the rest appeared
to be clowns, that are alike whether in town
| or country the world over.
The silence lasted but an instant and
then he of the riding boots Strengthened
himself and cried OUT
why, you whelps of Satan, do you not
know lady has graced our board?" And.
as 1 sided over to the fireplace, he rolled
this way and that. and finally came close
to her as she turned to look at him.
Madam" said he, as he started TO make
a profound bow with a sweep of his pewter
mug. sending a thin line of ale in a circle
over the floor, "madm l s'lute We"
But the bow was too much for him, and
he stumbled over his own feet. and fell at
hers The quick turn of her head. she
stepped back from him. threw her hood
back on her hair, and then 1 saw her face
for the first time.
What a face it was! 1 shall never forget
it. neverl 1 could not describe it; for II
seemed then all eyes and wavy brown hair,
and a small mouth. that had more of scorn
IN it than 1 could have believed possible in
any human feature. Beautiful? Aye, that
it was. white now snow. in its frame of
dark hair and darker hood. But know not
what devilsh influence the face had on me,
for as the man struggled to his feet, she
gave him a slow look, and then, turning TO
me, said quietly. with contempt in her
voice:
Twill you not protect me, sir?"
And /. without hesitation, struck the fool
in his face with my closed fist and sent
him rolling over himself against the wall
Twas a foolhardy thing to do, and 1
knew il before had finished. For, no SOON
er was he down, than howl set up from
the others, as they made for us. There was
but time to push one of the long tables be-
tween us and to draw my rapier, when the
crew was at the other side of the low bar
rier.
Yet then I felt more tranquil than had
| since entering the tavern; for the affair
was taking on the look of fight, and
had been in so many. large and small, of
late that there certain familiarity
to it. and it put me more at my ease.
! turned the pistol out of the nearest mans
hand with my point. and got the girl be-
hind me. when the leader flor so he was)
got upon his feet. purple with rage, and
! roared:
stop there. The man has insulted me!
Stop This is not for you. clowns! Clear
away here~' And with a soberness I had
| little expected. he scattered them TO either
side. and. leaning his hands on the table.
spluttered in my teeth
You. sir. You have struck me in the
face Are We a coward. or will We settle
this here now?"
! Nothing could be better" I answered
| Indeed, nothing at that moment could have
been better, for IL Quoted the others. or
else in a moment we had both been dead.
or one OF us worse Nothing could be bet
ter" I repeated: ''but 1 will not stir from
here. unless you make il fair fight and
give me fair play"
Never fear my fine gentleman! I'll give
We fair play enough and foot of good
steel TO the bargaini Here. you. Gowan"
he added. turning 70 the tavern keeper.
who seemed 10 be surprisingly sober. of a
sudden. too. push away these tables and
you, my friends. if one of you does aught
TO interfere I'll blow out his brains!" And
he tapped a brace of pistols in his belt.
/ They obeved him like lambs and set TO