Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1902-01-02
A Brave Coward.
By Robert Louis Stevenson.
By Robert Louis Stevenson.
CHAPTER II.-(Continued. }

CHAPTER II.-(Continued.)
My wife and /, man and a woman
have often agreed to wonder how per-
son could be at the same time so hand
some and SO repulsive as Northmour
He had the appearance of a finished
gentleman; his face bore every mark
of intelligence and courage, but you on
iy had to look at him, even in his most
amiable moment, to see that he had
the temper of slave captain.
/ never knew a character that was
both explosive and revengeful to the
same degree; he combined the vivacity
Of the South with the sustained and
deadly hatreds of the North; and both
traits were plainly written on his face,
which was sort of danger signal. In
person he was tall, strong and active;
his hair and complexion very dark; his
features handsomely designed, but
spoiled by menacing expression.
At that moment he was somewhat
-paler than by nature; he wore heavy
frown; and his lips worked, and lie
looked sharply round as he walked, like
q man besieged with apprehensions.
And yet / thought he had look Of
triumph underlying all, as though he
had already done much, and was near
the end of. an achievement.
Partly from scruple of delicacy-
which | dare say came too late-partly
from the pleasure of startling an ac-
quaintance, desired to make my pres
ence known to him without delay.
got suddenly to my feet, and step
ped forward.
"Northmour!" said 4.
l have never had SO shocking a sur
prise in all my days. He leaped on me
without word; something shone in
his hand; and he struck for my heart
with dagger. At the same moment
I knocked him head over heels. Wheth-'
er 1t was my quickness, or his own un-
certainty, know not; but the blade
only grazed my shoulder, while the
hilt and his fist struck me violently
on the mouth.
l ned, but not far. had often and
often observed the capabilities of the
sand hills for protracted ambush on
stealthy advances and retreats; and,
not ten yards from the scene of the
scuffle, pumped down again upon the
grass. The lantern had fallen and gone
ont. But what was my establishment
70 see Northmour slip at a bound into
the pavilion, and hear him bar the
door behind him with a clang of iron!
He had not pursued me. He had run
away. Northmour, whom l knew for
the most implacable and daring of
men, had run away!
AS l thus stood transfixed with
wonder, began to grow painfully con-
scious OF the injuries had received
in the scutfle; skulked around among
Che sand hills; and, by devious path,
regalned the shelter of the wood. On
the way, the old nurse passed again
within several yards of me, still car
Tying her lantern, on the return jour
ney to the mansion house of Graden.
This made seventh suspicious feature
In the case. Northmour and his guests.
1t appeared, were to cook and do the
cleaning for themselves, while the old
woman continued to inhabit the big
empty barrack among the policies.
There must surely be great cause for
secrecy, when so many inconvenience
were confronted to preserve it.
So thinking, made my way to the
oen. For greater security, l trod out
the embers of the fire, and lit my Ian
tern to examine the wound upon nv
shoulder. 1t was trifling hurt.
though 1t bled freely, and l dressed it
as well as could (for it's position made
1t difficult to reach) with some rags
and cold water from the spring. While
was thus busted, l mentally declar-
ed war against Northmour and his
mystery.