The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08

shoot any spring doves nor wild pea fowls
 The men laughed and then sat or stood silent, each occupied. with his own re- flections, until Sam Hathaway return ed Whereupon, they moved on.
 1t was now dark, and ordinary, Ga briel would have gone to supper. But instead of doing that. he went on toward town. and met Hotchkiss and Boring on the outskirts They were engaged in a close discussion when Gabriel met them. It would have been a great deal better for him and his friends if he had passed on without word; but Gabriel was Gabriel, and he was compelled to act according to Gabriefs nature. So, without hesitation. he walked up to the two men.
 "Is this Mir. HotehSiss?" he inquired.
 That is my name,' replied Hotchkiss in his smoothest tone.
 Are you going out to Butts's to- night?'
 Now, that is a queer question" re- marked Hotchkiss, after a pause-"a very queer question. What is your name?"
 'Tolliver-Gabriel Tolliver."
 Gabriel Tolliver-h'm-yes Well, Mir. Tolliver, why are you so desirous of knowing whether l go to Butts's to- night?'
 Honestly" replied Gabriel, little nettled at the mans airs, 'I don't want to know at all. I simply wanted to ad- wise you not to go there tonight"
 "Oh, you wanted to advise me not to go Now, then let's go a little further into the matter Why do you want to advise me?' Hotchkiss was a man who was ripe for a discussion at all times, and upon any subject. Have you any special interest in my welrare7"
 "I think not" replied Gabriel, bluntly, "I simply wanted to drop you a hint. You can take 1t or fot. just as you choose" With that, he turned on his heels. and went home to supper. little dreaming that his kindness of heart, and his sincere efforts to do a stranger a favor would involve him In tangled web 1 of circumstances from which he would find 1t almost impossible to escape.
 Gabriel heard HotchlSiss laugh but he | did not hear the remark that followed. Why, even the children and the young men think am a coward It Is the most peculiar mental deusion I ever heard. | The probability is that the young man who has just delivered this awful warn l ing has laid a wager with some of his companions that he can fill me full of fright and prevent my going to Butts's." !" | Now, l don't think that" replied Bor- | ing or Bridalbln. T know these people | to the core. That young man has prob ably heard some threat made against you and he thinks he is doing the chlvalrous thing to give you a varying. Chlvalryl | Why, I reckon that work has done more harm to this section, first and last, than the war itself.'
 "Or more probable still" suggested HotchlSiss, The was simply trying to find out whether l propose to go to Butts" tonight. If I had some one to keep an eye on him, we might be able to procure some important information dis closing conspiracy against the officers of the government few arrests in this neighborhood might have wholesome and subduing effect"
 Don't you believe it." said Bridalbin. ''I know these people a great deal better than you do."
 q know them a great deal better than care to-" remarked Hotchlxiss dryly, "I have not a doubt that these conspira- | tors will make an effort to rrighten me I have no doubt that they will make a strong effort to run me away. But they can't do it, my friend. feel that I havs a mission here, and here I propose to stay"
 well I can keep an eye on Tolliver if you think 1t best" Brdalbin suggest ed somewhat doubtfully. T know where l he lives"
 Do that, Boring" exclaimed Hotch- kiss with grateful enthusiasm. Come | to the lodge about nine or half-past and report" The Hodge" was the new name for the old schoolhouse, and in that di- rection Hotchkiss turned his steps.