Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1902-01-30
CHAPTER vIII.-(Continucd.)

lace upllfted to ours, and rag of some
thlng white on his extended arm; and
as we looked right down upon him,
though nc was good many yards dis
tant on the links. we could see the
moonlight glitter in his eyes,
he opened his lips again, and spoke
Tor some minutes on end, in a key so
loud that he might have been heard in
every corner of the pavilion, and as far
away as the borders of the wood. 1t
was the same voice that had already
shouted "Traditore!" through the shut
tiers of the dining-room; this time 1t
made complete and clear statement.
II the traitor "Oddlestone' were given
up, all others should be spared; If not,
no one should escape to tell the tale.
We'll, Huddlestone. what do you say
to that?" asked Northmour, turning to
the bed.
Up to that moment the banker had
given no sign of life. and. l. at least,
had supposed him to be still in faint;
but he replied at once, and, in such
tones as have never heard elsewhere,
save from delirious patient, adjured
and besought us not to desert him.
Enough" cried Northmour, and
then he threw open the window. leaned
out into the night. and in tone of
exultation. and with a total forgetful-
ness of what was due to the presence
OF lady, poured out upon the ambas-
sador string Of the most abominable
raillery, both in English and Italian.
and babe him begone where he had
come from.
Meantime the Italian put his flag of
truce In his pocket, and disappeared. at
a leisurely pace, among the sandhills.
They make honorable war;" said
Northmour. "They are all gentlemen
and soldiers. For the credit Of the
thing. l wish we could change sides
you and ], Frank, and you too, Missy,
my daring-and leave that being on
the bed to some one else. Tut! Don't
look shocked! We are all going post to
what we call eternity, and may as we'll
he above-board while there's time. AS
far as I'm concerned, if could first
strangle Huddlestone and then get
Clara in my arms, / could die with
IL.
is. by God, I'll have kiss!"
Before I could do anything to in
terfere, he had rudely embraced and
repeatedly kissed the resisting girl.
Next moment I had pulled him away
with fury, and flung him heavily
against the wall. He laughed loud
and long
turned from him with feeling Of
contempt which l did not seek to dis
semble.
LAS you please" said he. you've
been prig in life; prig you'll die"
And with that he sat down in a
chair, a rifle over his knee, and
amused himself with swapping the
lock.
All this time our assailants might
have been entering the house, and we
been none the wiser; we had in truth
almost forgotten the danger that so
imminently overhung our days. But
just then Mr.. Huddlestone uttered a
cry, and leaped from the bed.
asked him what was wrong.
"Fire!" he cried. "They have set
the house on fire!"
NOrthmOur was on his feet in an in,
staRt, and he and I ran through the
door of communication with the study.
The room was illuminated by a red
and angry light. Almost at the mo-
ment of our entrance tower of fame
arose in front of the window, and. with
a tingling report. pane fell inward on
the carpet. They had set fire to the
lean-to clubhouse, where Northmour
used to nurse his negatives.
Hot work." said Northmour. LET
us try in your old ROOM"
We ran thither in breath, threw
up the easement and looked forth.
Along the whole back wall of the pa
vilion piles of fuel had been arranged
and kindled, and it is probable they
had been drenched with mineral oil,
for, in spite of the mornings rain
they all burned bravely The fire had
taken a firm hold already on the out
house There was not human being
70 be seen to right or left.
"Ah, WE'LL" said Northmour, "here's
the end. thank God"
And we returned to my Uncle's
Room" Mr.. Huddlestone was putting
on his boots, still violently trembling.
but with an air of determination such
as l had not hitherto observed. Clara
stood close by him, with her cloak in
both hands ready to throw about her
shoulders. and strange look in her
eyes, as if she were half hopeful, half
doubtful of her father.
We'll. boys and girls" said North
mour, how about sally? The oven
is heating. it is not good to stay here
and be baked. and, for my part. want
to come to my hands with them and