The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-08
lis weakest spot. and struck to xiii.

down 10 him from a long line OF fight
ing ancestors. He arose. took them
down mechanically, and drew one from
its scabbard. How snugly its rough
Ellt ntted his nervous hand grip, He
felt q curious throbbing in this hilt like
2 pulse. 1t was alive. and its spirit
stirred deep waters IN his soul that
had never been ruffied before.
At last he set his lips firmly and
said:
Yes, damn him. / viii Kill him a.
would a snake"
He sat down and wrote his resigna-
ton as pastor of the church. left il on
his desk, and strobe hurriedly from tie
study leaving his door open. lie pur-
chased a revolver and a box of ear
tIidges and walked straight to Nc
Leeds office.
The speaking was over. and Mcleod
was alone writing letters. Tie ooked
up with scant politeness as the preach
Ct entered and motioned him to q seat.
Instead of seating himself. ne closed
the door, and standing erect in front Or
it, said:
ALLAN Mcleod. you are the author OF
an infamous Islander rejecting on the
honor OF my wife,
Indeed" Mcleod sneered. wheeling
in bis chair.
Il always knew that you We're a
neral leper"-
"Of course, Doctor, of course but
don't get excited" laughed Mcleod en-
joying the marks of anguish on his face.
But that your lecherous body should
invade the sanctity OF my home, and
your tongue attempt 10 snirch its
homer. was beyond my widest dream If
your cffrontery. How dare your
Dare? Dare, Preacher" interrupted
Mcleod still sneering. why, by the
higher law of course. You have been
teaching all your life that there We're
higher laws than paper-made statutes.
You nave trained this county in crime
under this beautiful ideal. Surely l
may follow the teachings of a master
in Israel?'
What do you mean, you red-headed
devil?"
Softly, Preacher" smiled McLeod.
simply this: You expound The Higher
Lew for political consumption. I ap-
pl- it TO all life.
There are but two real laws of mans
Iature, hunger and loVe-all others
change with time and progress These are
the higher laws. The stupid conventions
that superstition has built around them
may hold back the weak, but the pow
erful have always defied them. Your
brilliant exposition Of the higher law
in politics first set my mind to work,
and led me to a complete emancipation
from the slavery OF conventionalism in
which fools have held society for cen
turies. There are conventional laws and
-, ,10 ~ oIa.4 ~ ~
called marriage cherished by the weak
minded. There is a higher law of Ma
ture. The brave live this life Of daring
freedom, While towards cling to forms.
Do 1 make myself clear?"
Perfectly so, you notified leper. You
think that because I am a preacher, /
am a poltroon, and that you can play
with me without danger to your skin.
Well, / was a man before 1 was a
preacher. There are some things deep
er than the forms of religion, if you
wish to push the higher law to it's last
application. You nave found that quick
in my soul, mine enemy. 1 have re-
signed my church-to kill you. There
is not room for you and me on this
earth"-
Leo sprang to his feet, his soul
chilled by the tone in which the threat
was uttered. He started to call for
help, and looked down the cleaning
barrel Of 4 revolver.
Move now or open your mouth, and [
kill you instantly. Sit down. l give
you five minute to write your last mes
sage to this world"
Mcleod sank into his seat trembling
like a leaf, with the perspiration stand
;,n o,+ 90 hin forIboa1 ~ onII hanhC
Now and then he glanced furtively at
the stern face of blind fury towering
over his crouching form.
Unable to endure the terrible strain
he sank to the floor whining, slobber-
ing. begging in abject cowardice for his
life. He crawled toward the preacher
and reached out his hand and touched
lis foot.
My God, Doctor, you are mad. You
will not commit murder. You are a
minister of Jesus Christ. Have mercy.
l am at your feet. Your wife is as pure
as an angel. 1 only said what L did to
torture you
''Get UP YOU snake" Kissed the
preacher, stamping his body with all
his might until Mcleod screamed with
pain and scrambled to his feet covering
and whining like a cur.
Finish you letter. You will never
leave this room alive
a long pitiful sob broken the stiffness,
and Mcleod was looking into the
preachers face in vain for a ray of
hope.
Suddenly CASTOR burst into the room
trembling with excitement. My God,
Doctor, what does this mean" he cried.
Selling the revolver.
Mcleod sprang toward Castor, groan-
ing and crawling toward his feet. Save
me Gaston-the doctors gone mad-he
is about to kill me-"
"Charlie, L must." pleaded the
preacher.
mo, no, this is madness. ] thank
God I am in time. [ missed you at the
speaking and hearing a rumor of this