The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-10-08

not. Ihey are biackKuafus OF TIE hlacA
est dye"
Il believe you. Arnltage."
Thank you. Now your horse Is q
the door. Run along like a good fe
low"
! Armifage dived into his room. caugh
up a cartridge belt and reappeare
buckilng It ON.
Oscar" he yelled. bring In tha
coffee, with cups for two"
He kicked on his boots and drew ol
light shoes and leggings
Light marching orders for the rougl
places. Confound that buckle"
He rsse and stamped his feet 10 set
tie the shoes
"Your horse is at the door That rns
cal Oscar will take OF the blanket fo
you. There's bottle OF fair whisky II
the cupboard, II you'd like a nip befor,
starting Bless me, forgot the coffee
There on the table. Oscar, and nevei
mind the chairs" he added as oscal
came In with tin pot and the cups OF
4 piece Of plank.
I'm taking the rifle Oscar, and bs
| sure those revolvers are loaded with
the real goods"
There was great color IN Arml
tage's face as he strode about prcpar
Ing to leave His eyes danced with ex
element and between the sentences
that he jerked out half to himself he
whistled few bars from comic opera
that was making a record run on
Broadway. His steps rang out vigor-
ously from the bare pine floor.
Watch the windows. Oscar. You
may forgive a general anything but a
surprise. Isn't that so, Claiborne :
And those fellows must be pretty mad
by this time. Excuse the coffee serv
Ice, Claiborne, We always pour the
sugar from the paper bag original
package, you understand. And see II
you can't find Captain Claiborne hat,
Oscar"
With tin cup Of steaming coffee In
bis hand he sat on the table dangling
his legs, his hat on the back OF his
head, the cartridge belt strapped about
his waist over brown corduroy hunt
Ing coat He was In a high mood and
chatfed Oscar as TO the probability OF
their breakfastlng another morning
III we die. Oscar, It shall be In good
cause"
He threw aside his cup with a clat-
ter. jumped down and caught the sword
from the table, examined II critically,
then sheathed 1t with click.
Claiborne had watched Armltage
with growing impatience. He re.
sented the Idea Of being thus ignored
Then he put his hand roughly on Arml
tage's shoulder.
Armitage. intent with his own affairs,
had not looked at Claiborne for several
minutes, but be glanced at him now as
though Just recalling duty.
Lord, man, didn't mean to throw
you into the road! There's clean bed
In there that you're welcome to. Go
in and get some sleep"
I'm not going into the valley" roar
ed Claiborne, "and I'm not going to
bed. I'm going with you"
But bless your soul, man. you can't
60 with mel You are as Ignorant as .
babe Of my affairs, and I'm terribly
busy and have no time to talk to you
Oscar, that coffee scalded me. Clai
borne, II only ! had time. you know.
but under existing circumstances"
Il repeat that I'm going with you. !
don't know why I'm In this row. and |
don't know what It's all about. but !
believe what you say about II. and
went you TO understand that can't be
put In bag like a prize potato with
out taking whack at the man who
put me there"
"But II you should get hurt. Clai.
borne, II would spoil my plans never
could face your family again." said Ar
mitage earnestly. Take your horse
and GO"
I'm going back to the valley when
you do"
"Humphl Drink your cofreel Oscar,
bring out the rest Of the artillery and
give Captain Claiborne his choice"
He picked up bis sword again. flung
The blade from the scabbard with a
swish and cut the air with II, hum.
ming few bars Of q German drinking
,ong. Then he broke out with:
4 do not think braver gentleman.
More active-valisnt or more valiant.
young.
A1,rs daring or more bold. 10 now alive
70 grace this latter age with noble needs
For my part. ! may speak II TO my shame
have truant been TO chiyairy-
lord. Claiborne, you don't know
what's ahead OF us It's the greatest
hing that ever happened never eX
)ected anything ike this. not on my
days. Dearest Jules Ia out
ooking for telegraph Office to pull OF
he Austrian end OF the rnmpus. Well.
little good 1t will do him. And wen
,atch him and Durand and that Ser
rian devil and lock them up here TIL
Marhof decides what TO do with him
We're on"
"AlI ready. SIR" said Oscar briskly
ITS half past Q They didn't get Oh
heir message at Lamar because the
,tiice is closed and the operator gone,
md they will keep out OF the valley
md away from the big Inn because
hey are rather worried by this time
md not anxious 10 get too near Mar.
,of. They've probably decided TO go TO
be next station below Lamar 10 do
heir telegrnphing Meanwhile they
isven't got me'''
They had me and didn't want me"
aid Claiborne. mounting bis own
Iorse
They'll have q good many things
hey don't want IN the nert twenty
our hours n hadn't enjoyed this
business 30 much myself We nigh,
ave had some secret service men post
a stl aloug the coast to keep look
'ut fsr them. Bot It's been q great old
ark. Al now TO catch them
Outside the preserve they paused for
% instant
They're not going TO venture fat
rom their base. which is that Inn aud
where they have been rum