The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-18

conduct towards my worthy young friend, Mir. Hennett. It has been on my mind all afternoon" And with that he linked my arm in a vise-like elbow and bore me away to the parson- age.
 There was no earthly use in trying to escape from the clutch of Mir. Mat son.
 Now this sincere man had me in tow for an overhauling, and, to speak the truth, I was glad of 1t. My fathers friend, the boon companion of Judge Arnold for years before this stern law yer's death, the spiritual adviser of his invalid widow, and devoted to Genie-why not? Unworldily and cas- fly hoodwinked, he was no bat. Never would I have sought his counsel. but having bounced upon me l would lay bare my wounds for his soothing touch and kind advice. So Hennett had immediately used him for pur- pose. I grunted. walking by his side.
 Had a call, eh?" ventured l.
 Yes" he answered. in his deep. gentle voice. "A sad affair, John, very sad, We prayed together that bet ter spirit might prevail. He was much hurt and srieved over your uncalled- for violence. I fervently trust 1t has passed. John. I have seen Mrs. Ar mold. Her indignation was natural. A frequent and welcome guest at her house, to be so viciously attacked!
 But he would not go again until assured of their cordial support and refusal to give ear to any foolish ac- cusations, John, my son. He has 1t. It now remains for you to apologize. A sensitive young man. Hennett; painfully so"
 Let us go into your study" I re- quested. thickly. 'Is Hennett gifted in prayer, doctor?"
 His heavy head shook at me reprov- ingly, as we stopped inside.
 Sitting in the moonlight, talked rapidly of my feelings: my love for Genie, Hennetts interference, and our interview.
 He sat and unused By and by. in a sudden. sharp unusual tone, he said: We shall see"
 I started at him. His jaw was thrown out, his gray mane pushed back. In the dim. flooding light those usually |benignant eyes were not the eyes of Harwood Watson, but two fierce lamps glaring at the low ceiling. What had come over the man? For long time he did not speak. and IT could not. Had he command ed me to remain utterly silent I should have felt less tongue-tied. The town clocks chimed nine. Slowly the cler- gyman moved.
 Come" said he. harshly. Long we walked. up and down, up and down. waiting, The moon was very bright. the level roadway shin ing; under the stalwart trees lay shadows blackly antagonistic.
 He is coming" said the minister: DO as have advised" He slipped | into a patch of gloom. Hennett approached. whistling soft fly, a graceful, undulating figure. his shadow streaming before him. He saw me, standing in the road, but did not halt till I spoke. Then he stopped. curiously.
 "Ah! Palmerston." sneeringly. q thought you in bed, child" | "Hennett. I warned you" said. clearly. Its to be fair fight" | A turn as if to pass me by without further notice: then a quick gleam of steel, waving.
 So near that could not have used weapon had I been armed: so close that I discovered its characters poinard.
 Folding my arms I faced him, and livery dreadfully did I feel for mo- ment: very cold and like screaming. do not like a knife.
 l I'm unarmed. l said. l Hennett's teeth glittered as he chuckled. harshly.
 T am not" he said. Keep your arms folded. We'll have a short heart-to- heart talk. Palmerston. this dagger makes a very small hole. Did you not inform me this morning that you were about to depart on a long journey? got that impression. Mrs. Arnold has 1t So has Genie. I do not think you will be missed for several days The woods near by are dense. And by then-careful! do not hurry me!-by Ithen"-his mocking sheer was devlish l-"the girl will have taken a drive tc lCanningburg-a trlf1ing matter ot time tables. capable assistants and drugs Our train will leave at seven lp. m. She will not know 1t. Neither Twill you. A smart youth. asleep ir the woods. charming young lady lasleep in a car. A"
 "A devil behind the bars" growled an awful voice-and then came a hor. rid flap. as of two migthy. enfolding lwinRs.
 Hennett uttered a strange cry. ] heard crushing, snapping noise. ant shut my eyes. turning dizzy.
 No more sound No struggle. A bright object twinkled on the grount II stopped and raised 1t, dully.
 Now. John!" The calm word: lseemed very far away I'll have tc lask you to take his feet. fear lsqueezed him a bit too hard"
 Quite sharing in this opinion. ant not feeling very badly over 1t, obeyet mechanically.
 Together we carried the limp from to Matson's house. only a few rods dis ltant. My arms were strangely weak.
 He shall share my bachelor hos pitality for tonight" said the clergy lman, placidly. Right in the study John; on the lounge. There! Let's see One rib--two r!bs-three ribs. Only three ribs. John. and-hem! one arm He Is breathing, after a fashion. Ligh that lamp"
 Quickly his sinewy fingers searched pocket after pocket. There is alway. a clew," he muttered. scrutinizing { packet of letters.
 Alternately his bushy brows lifted and scowled "Good!" came a grin