The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-19

anything to smoker" and he held out | his cigar-case.
 Thank you" said Tankerlane. as he took cigar Yes, you've certainiy made lot of the place. remember It when old Black Hinton had 1t was | a boy then, and it always seemedk .te | q presume you haven't come here to pay social call.'' said Shii drily. | May ask what has brought you all the way from Gloucestershire to Els I sex?''
 l aBusipess.v replied Tankcrlane curt lly. %business with you. Ms Shil. All l his geniaIity had vanished, as though he had received an insult. His voice was hard, and the lines on his harsh, handsome face had deepened. ss
 .what can do for your" shikasK-1 ed
 'weil. in the first place. you might turn on the lights. It's rather dark. I "Pm sorry you don't like it." said Shil. but we never turn on the lights till six o'clock" you doubtless have good reasons I for keeping in the dark" retorted SIT | William rudely. You made slip l there. my friend. You don't wish me to see your face. have learned one or | the things I came here to find out" | T am glad of that" Shil replied. | flor must ask you to leave before I 1 kick you out" The thin veil of polite | ness that had hung between the two I men had been torn aside. and they faced each other with all the primeval 1 passions of savages. It was now mere l iy a question as to which of the two had more cunning or the greater bodi- | ly strength. Sir William Tankerlane rose to his feet and squared his shoulders, It was fine broad5 shouldered man, but he looked slight and weak beside Shil's huge body. He laughed, and walked towards the ta- ble where he had placed his hat and stick. He had no intention of leaving, but he wished to be farther away from John Shil. When he reached the table, he placed his hand on the wall and switched on the electric light. There he turned suddenly and looked his enemy in the face.
 T have come here to find my wife," he said abruptly. 'Where is sheT
 s'You've got some pluck" answered shiI with grim smile ''To come into mans house and ask him for your wife indicates courage, but not pru- dence, Sir Wnliam.a
 Tankeriane,s face darkened with fury, and he stepped forward with cienched hands, as though he were going to strike Shil in the face. Then he paused, and subdued the brute in- stinct to decide the contest in so prirn- itive and hopeless fashion.
 You scoundrei." f,e cried. ''do you think I've come here to get the truth Tout of you by physical violence-no, stay where you are, you blackguard."
 John Shil had sprung forward with a white face and blazing eyes, and with no thought in his mind save that of
 Ca nf "a Nyh n had insulted him. But Tankerlane had taken revolver out of his pocket, and the expression on his face meant mur- der.
 you blackguard," he continued, as John Shil paused and looked at the ugly little weapon. Did you think l was fool enough to come on this errand without some weapon that mignt place us on terms of equality? You have taken my wife from me. You needn't deny it, for she told me with her own lips that she was coming 10 you Where is she?"
 "She is not here." Shil replied calm ly. but she is where you will never find her. She Is Ill. perhaps she Is dead. I do not know. for when l last saw her she was between life and death"
 "Between life and death." whispered Tankerlane hoarse1y. '-Oh, God. no! You lie man, you lie. It's dirty trick to make weak fool of me.
 sIts no trick" replied 4Shil solemn ly. Iris Gods truth. She may live, but if you go to her she will de" m .. see her. Take ne to her.. See here. I am unarmed," and he placed his revolv- CT on the table. q do not use force. Laura is my wife, and love her. Take me to. her now. for pity's sake"
 "I will not" John Shil replied firmly
 Tankerlane looked at him for mos ment in horror, and then his fear and anguish gave place to fury.
 ''You will not7" he said slowly. Then. by God, will make you. Do you know that saw Ben Holland die?"
 John Shil stood motionless. and his face was calm in comparison with Tankerlanes distorted features For one brief moment he wondered whether he could silence the man by breaking his neck. But Tank erlane frepenting of his generosity. had already resumed possession of the revolver.
 DO you hear me?" Tankerlane re- peated with a foul oath. Do you real ize what mean when l say that can make you tell me where Laura tsf
 50 you are the other man." Shil re- piled quietly. iI see I am obliged to you for your information. It explains KOOQ ucdl l NIul0 AVt NhNOA --r afraid, Tank that you have fal- len in my estimation. never thought very much of you. but didn't think you were such hound as you make yourself out to be-"
 'Shut your mouth, damn you" cried Tankerlane, land make up your mind what you're going to do."
 "So you forced Laura to marry you, continued Shil coldly. You persuaded her to do so by threatening to tell all YOU knew about Ben Hollands death. em glad to know this, very glad to know that she has always been true to me, and more faithful in her sacrifice than if she had married me. am glad to know this, and yet, when think of what she has suffered-by Heaven, Tankerlane, if you ever come into my hands"
 "That'u do," interrupted Tankerlane. You are in my hands now. will give you five minutes to decide. At the end of that time, I shall either go to Laura, or else to the police"
 ''WeIl, we will spend the five min utes in pleasant conversation" Shil res piled. Wont you sit downr'
 NO. thank you, Do I understand that YOU refuse to tell me where Laura is?"
 Continued tomorrow.
 THE TEXAS WONDER.
 Cures all Kidney. Bladder and Rheu.