The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1904-07-22
CHAPTER y.
4 CHANCE DECREEp.


\ CHANCE DECREED.
Nlischancc delayed the carriage Of
Bloomsbury square. 1t had not APP
pearcd at that moment. far toward
evening, when John Law. riding a
trembling and dripping stcod, came
upon one side of this little open com
mon and ga2ed anXiously across TIL
space lie saw standing across from
him carriage, toward which he
dashed. He flung open the carriage
door crying out. even before he saw
the face within.
"Wiu, viii Law, say. come out"
called he What mad trick Is this?
What
lie saw indeed the face of win Law
inside the carriage n face pale molan-
nholly ana yet firm
Get you bach into the city" cried
viii Law This is no place for you,
Jack"
boy, Are you mad entirely mac" %"
cried Law, pushing his way directly
into the carriage and reaching oui
with an arm OF authority Tor tie sword
which h. saw resting beside hia
brother against the seat "Np plar"
for me- 'Tis no place for you, for
either of us Turn back This fool.
ishucss must 20 no further"
1T must go on now to the end. said
VIII Law, YEARLY Mr. Wilson's car
riarc is long past due
but YOU what do YOU mean
You've had no hand in this Even had
you-why, boy. you would he spi;tcd
in an instant by this fellow
And would not that teach you to
cease your mad pranks, and use to bet
'cr purpose the talents God hath given
Won? Yours is the better chance,
Jack"
"Pcacc'" cried John Law. tears
starting 10 his eyes. I'm not argue
that Driver, turn bacl, for home"
The coachman AT the box touched his
hat with a puzzled air Il beg pardon.
sir" said he hut was under orders
OF the gentleman inside"
you were sent for Mr. John Law"
For MIR Law"
But | am John Law, sirrah'"
You are both MIR Law? Well. sir
[ scarce know which Of you Is the
proper Mr. Law But | must say that
here comes coach drove fast enough
and perhaps this Is the gentleman
vas to wait for. according to the FIRST
Mr. Law. sir"
"ilc is coming Their" cried John
Law, angriv. "I'll see into this pref
" meeting II this devils own fool Is
to have crossing of steel. I'll fair ac-
rommOdate him. ana wei look into tn"
reasons for II later. sit ye down. BE
quiet, VIII, hoy. say"
With one leap he spiang from the
carriage leaving win half da2ed ana
limp within.
Even as he left the carriage step,
he found himself confronted with an
adversary eager as himself for at
that instant Beau Wilson was hasten
ing from his coach. Vain weak and
pompOus In n way, yet lacking not in a
certain personal yalor. Beau Wilson
stopped not for his seconds, tarricd not
to catch the others speech, but himself
strobe madly onward. his point raised
slightly, as though he had lost all
care and dignity and desired nothing
So much a. To stab his enemy as swift.
ly as might he.
u In
to this Highlander, this fighting Ar
gyll, what had been the reason Animal
Ing his opponent. II was enough that
he saw weapon. barred. Too late
then, to reason with John Law, Beau"
Law Of Edinboro, "Jessamy" Law, the
best blade and the coolest head in all
the schools Of arms that taught him
fence
For n moment Law paused and
raised his point. whether in query ~
In salute the onlooSers scarce could
tell. Sure II was that Wilson was the
first to tall into the assault. Scarce
pausing In his stride, he came on
tlindly. and. raising his own point,
Iunged straight fol his opponents
breast Sad enough was the fate
which impeled him to do this thing
1t was over in an instant 1t could
not be said that there was an actual
encounter The sidestcp Of the young
High lander was soft as that of
panther. as quick, and yet as full Of
savagery. The whipping over HIS
wrist, the gliding. twining. cllnging of
his blade against that of his enemy
was so swift that eye could scarce have
followed 1t. The eye of Beau Wilson
was too slow to catch It or to guard
He never stopped the riposte and in.
deed was too late TO attempt any
guard Pierced through the body vii.
son staggered back, clapping his hands
against his chest. Over his face there
swept swift series of changes. Anger
faded to chagrin, that to surprise. sur.
prise TO fright. and that to gentleuess
Sir" said he, you've hit me fair,
and very hard. pray you, some
friend, give me an arm"
And so they led him to his carriage
and took him home corpse. Once
more the code of the time had found
Its victim.
Law turned away from the coach oil
his smitten opponent. turned away with
a face stern and full OF trouble. Many
things resolved themselves in his mind
as he stepped slowly towards the car.
riege. in which his brother still sal