The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1906-05-16

would raise myself aud take a cautious
view Of him. | knew | could easily
do this, as the footboards of both beds
were low. On veoturiog this what
was my astonishment to 6nd him do.
ing the same by me! | was not only
surprised, but somewhat angry. How
dared he! l scowled at him, hoping
to make him succumb. This scowl
was returned with compound interest.
What villainous-l looking wretch he
! was! No wonder he was spoken Of es
queer and as keeping late hours! /
could guess at his calling without
trouble. If he didn't patronize the
highroads, then / was no Judge Of ap-
| pcarances. Highwayman was written
on every line Of his face. Aud to
think had been for the night at the
mercy Of such villain in the room
with him! | was Indeed rejoiccI that
had left my watch and purse in the
| hotel safe. | wondered he hadn't cut
my throat. | supposed it IVES only
because he VIA, afraid to under the
circumstances. The risks we're too
great.
We continued to scowl at each other.
What would he do next? | was de-
tcrnincd | i speak to him.
'Nhy do you stare at me in that
impertinent way?' | asked.
lie only opened and shut his mouth
as though to mock me.
could stand no more. | unclose8
my lips to use a more vigorous tone in
addressing him when-I sncczed.
Where was my handkerchief? I
reached for it, keeping my eye upon
the villainous countenauce Of the man
in the other bed.
What movement was that? He was
surely reaching under the pillow; of
course it was for his pistol. had no
weapon at hand. Only my gun was in
the room; and that I had carelessly
left leaning in a corner. In a mo-
ment I would be entirely at the mercy
of the william; he could have his pistol
drawn on me. I must act, and act
quickly. Near my pillow lay my wa-
ter flask? I had placed it there to
have it convenient, as I frequently
drank water through the night. This
l gzasped swiftly and hurled it at the
man in the other bed. I would either
knock that pistol out of his hand, or
stun him 80 he couldn't use it.
There was sound of breaking
glass, and the man in the other bed
vanished as completely as though he
had been ground to dust and blown
away on the air. At the same mo-
ment, with yelp of fear my favcrite
hunting dog, Beppo, came from under
the bed and approached me.
l stared at him stupidly, and then
at the empty bed before me. saw it
all plainly. Beppo was the intruder,
the one I had heard moving about
softly the night before, the gentle.
man to whom I had spoken without
elioiting any reply. He had left Amos
to come in search Of me. Finding the
dec: e!ssr, for the careless servant had
failed to latch it securely, he had
pushed it open and entered, the door
swinging to behind him. The sly
rogue had refrsined from coming to
me, for fear I'd drive him out again.
7 sheok myself free .of the bed
clothes and stood upon my feet to
contemplate the dsmsge done to the
other bed. A handsome mirror that
adorned the centre Of the head. board
was smashed into q shousand pieces.
In making wrathfui hing Mt the man
in the other bed, I had simply thrown
at my own reflection In the glass. T
must confess to feeling of wounded
pride when I recalled that. I had
stamped myself as villain and hipb.
wayman. =,
Later in the day I learned that Mr..
Barcroft had not come in at ali that
night. He had sat up with a sick
friend.
The part I'll remember longest
about this little episode is the bill I
had to pay for this little fling at my.
self. -.
Hard. wn-n't Il?