Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-22

city lamps probably not 50 men were respectable citizens, and, all too late, George McKinnon began to realize that he was now powerless to quench the train his vehement oratory had fired.
 g My God,'' cried MT. Benton, They are coming here!'
 Running toward them along the sidewalk, distancing the crowd, pals now and trembling. came McKinnon. Elinor round to Judge Meredith's- She's safe there. Come-come, E1i- nor." he pleaded, with outstretched hand. But the blue eyes looked him over with utter indifference. She would not even vouchsafe reply.
 What in heavens name have you done, McKinnon?" cried the father. Surely you ought to have known it was playing with fire to arouse these aruffars. Go in doors, child, r he con- tinued, turning suddenly to her. Bus now it was McKinnon who detained
 s.Stop! You must see," said hea Here Is what came for him this very night. Now do you believe ?"
 Benton took the heavy envelope exS tended to him. It bore the St. Louis postmark. It had been sliced open with a knife. It was addressed to f'Paul Ladue, Esq, bookseller and sta1 tioner, East Water street, -, and iU contained another envelope still sealed and unbroken, addressed in round clerkly hand to First Lieut. Paul La due, Eleventh Alabama infantry, ana bore at the upper left hand corner the letters so often used in the old days of the old army, o. P. s. (on public service), instead of the later shibbo- leth of the war department, official business.''
 stIt is fatal" said the veteran Iaw- yer, with a gasp of dismay.
 It is forgery!" said Fred, his son. whereat McKinnon started as though ] stung. And now the mob, headed by Hugh Gale, came swarming to their gate, and their spokesman, in his re- sounding basso, addressed himself to the master.
 Squire Benton, it is my belief that the man we want is hidden here on your premises. Your son has long been his most intimate friend. Mr. Ladua invited our committee to enter and search. Will you do the same? Or are you going to shelter rebel spies and traitors?" 3las
 s.You are not going to enter and search" answered Benton, stlirdily.N saThis city has been my home since& it was mere village. This is myI home, and by the eternal, you shaIlT not violate it!'' &
 Shut up!'' yelled the crowd. "Go@ ahead, Gale. We're with you" and suiting action to word two of their number leaped down upon the flower beds and came lunging out across the | grass plot. In an instant Fred Benton breaking from Elinor's restraining hands, sprang to confront them, and without a word, sent his clinched fist square at the leaders jaw andytumbled him among the pansies. His fellows recoiled to the fence, and a. howl of ! mingled wrath and admiration went up from the mob. Then somebody picked up a huge clod from a pile of ! soft, fresh-cut sod that stood by the, tree box at the edge of the gutter, and with practiced hand hurled it at Mo- Kinnon. It took that portly counsellor 'twixt midriff and gorge, just as q bulky vegetable, hurtling through gass- lit spaee, landed full on his, djstended cheek
 Then of sudden there arose from{ the threats of the mob yell of tri-4 umph and rejoicing, for at the head of I the steps, stood Paul Ladue, facing them with flashing eyes and without a tremor. Another instant and before Fred could interpose, light and agile, he bounded down the steps, across the lawn and vaulted to the fiatrtopped fence at the corner, lighting like cat \ on his feet. and confronted ft1em.ass
 Gro Be Continued stlsfsh