Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-05-31
The Last of the Leyeridges.

dooryard on his way to the station to
fetch Allne Register, her dearest
friend, whom she had invited on
visit with purpose.
She would have preferred her hus-
band driving something Quieter than
those fiery chestnuts. but they were
three of kind, and perhaps the brutes
understood their fiery master as well as
he understood them.
At any rate, she had other occupa-
ton than watching him any longer.
There were flowers still TO be put into
Aline's room and her own dinner tot
lette to make.
For her own sake, as we'll as Aline's,
she wanted to patch up that old af-
fair" With Rafe Stillmen at the 9TH
er end of the globe it had mattered lit
tie. But with Rafe back home, her
next door neighbours country neigh.
bors go-with Horace csuelly alive to
every Incident In her own past that
did not concern him personally, the fu-
ture had its breakers.
She had not married the last of the
Leveridges unwarned. Prophecy had
held up Its CHASTITY finger, she would
regret it." "The Lever1dges were not
as other men," but with toss OF her
pretty head she had assured the croak-
ers that that was one thing she loved
him for.
Across the long, sloping approach to
his own outer gate; adown the dusty
gray highway, with its vivid border of
bushes; into the twilight gloom Of the
forest growth that marked the boun-
dairy line between the Levrridge and
the Stiilman places, Leverilge guided
his high-mettled team, pleasantly ex-
hilarated by the spirited resistance to
control manifested BY his beautiful
brutes.
Suddenly, with shorts of terror, they
sweryed, carrying the vehicle well out
of the road. They had taken fright at
a thoroughly commonplace object-an
old man standing on the roadside limo
Gently engaged in winding bits of
Irvine about the saddle girth that had
treacherously broken, leaving him dis
mounted from the horse that improved
his opportunities by grazing. 1t was
his own stableman. A fact which Lev
sridge recognized with a heavy outflash
Of temper.
You internal old idler, why are you
not at work?'
The old man dofred his ragged hat
deferentially.
II told missus l didn't think haa
time to 90, but she say must"
Leveridge leaned toward the old
man with darkening eyes: Go where"
"Over to Mis- Stillman's"
"For what?"
ITO carry letter."
ITO Mrs. Stlllman?"
II don't know, SIR Missus JUS give
me this an she say worn't to wait
for no answer
With confiding frankness the old
man extracted a note from the crown
Of his brimless hat, and put it into
the hand eagerly stretched out for 1t.
1t was addressed to Rafe Stillman
Leveridge turned 1t over with unsteady
fingers. 1t was sealed with looseness
that invited treachery.
II used to be accounted gentle
man." he snarled, In an undertone-
faltered second, and In another one
was in full possession of the contents
Of the hastily sealed envelope:
"AIr. Leyeridgey goes out this morn
ing. You had better come over early
If you want good day with the
snlpe."
The address and the signature were
brief to curtness "Mr. Stlllman," and
IN. E. Leverldge" Horace replaced
the intercepted note in Its envelope
and sat staring at 1t SO long that his
wife's messenger ventured to ask:
"Is you going to deliver 1t, Mr.. Hor-
acct"
NO" The man in the drag handed
back the note. You are to deliver 1t
according to your mistress orders.
And, Munson"-his voice was tense in
Its enforced comprehension will go
as fast as II the devil was squirting
your beast. Deliver that note and
come back here to me. l, too. have a
note for you to deliver. 1t Is only a
mile by the Cypress Walk. Five shil-
lings If you are back here in half an
hour; dismissal from the place IL you
are not"
"I'll be here. SIR"
Leverldge Strengthened himself In
the drag as the old man cantered out
Of sight. He had some few pr-para-
lions to make OF course, lie should
have to kill Stlllman. AS well then
and there as at any other time. He
laughed unpleasantly. 1t was odd he
should have his gun under the seat of
the drag. He had meant to leave 1t
with the smith In town to be cleaned
He tore a page from his pocket diary
and wrote his courteous regrets that
circumstances rendered 1t inconvenient
for him to fetch Miss Register from
the station.
81 have little matter to settle with
Mr.. Stillman." he wrote. that may In
terfere with his snipe shooting. Sorry
to have spoiled your little plan for a
pleasant day. Your pardon for a
rather free Interpretation of marital
rights"
AS old Munson reappeared, furried
and heated, but punctual. his master
sprang from the drag and shook the
reins impatiently toward him.
You delivered the note to Mr.. Still
man himself?'
"Yes, SIR"
Good. Here, you are to drive the
beasts home. Let them cool Off before
watering them. After you have stabbed
them and rubbed them down. take this
note up to the house and deliver 1t to
Mrs. Leverldge. Not before you have
attended to the horses. You under
standf"
The old man recolled In terror.
Me drive thin devils home, sir?"
you" The answer dropped like a
stone. cold. hard, resolute.