The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-11-13


Servian when he found Oscar at his
heels.
Chauvenet stood impassively by the
wall, his revolver raised and covering
Armitage, who walked slowly and dog
gedly toward him. The pallor in Armi-
tage's face gave him an unearthly look.
He appeared to be trying to force him
self to pace of which his wavering
limbs were incapable. At the moment
that Claiborne sprang upon the wall
behind Chauvenet Armitage swerved
and stumbled. then swayed from side
to side like a drunken man. His left
arm swung limp at his side, and his
revolver remained undrawn in his belt
His gray felt hat was twitched to one
side Of his head, adding a grotesque
touch to the impression of drunken
ness, and he was talking aloud:
"Shoot me, Mr.. Chauvenet. Go OH
and shoot me. l am John Armitage,
and l live In Montana, where real peo-
pie are. Go on and shoot! Winkel-
reds In Jail, and the jig's up. and the
empire and the silly king are safe. Go
on and shoot, tell your
He had stumbled on until he was
within dozen steps Of Chauvenet,
who lifted his revolver until 1t covered
Armitage's head.
drop that gun! Drop it quick" And
Dick Claiborne swung the butt Of his
rife high and brought it down with q
crash on Chauvenet's head; then Armi-
tage paused and glanced about and
laughed.
1t was Claiborne who freed Durand
from the dead horse, which had re-
ceived the shots fred at Oscar the mo-
ment he rose at the wall. The fight
was quite knocked out Of the conspira-
tor, and he swore under his breath,
cursing the unconscious Chauvenet and
the missing Zmai and the Ill fortune Of
the fight.
OTIS al! over but the shouting.
What's next?" demanded Claiborne.
Tie him up and tie the other one
up" said Armitage, staring about
Sueerly. "Where the devil is Oscar?"
Hes after the big fellow. You're
badly fused. old man. We've got to
Pm all right I've got hole in my
shoulder that feels as big and hot as 81
blast furnace. But we've got them
nailed. and it's all right. old man."
Durand continued to curse things Wis
| ible and invisible as he rubbed his leg,
while Claiborne watched him impa-
| tiently.
"If you start to run. I'll certainly kill
| you. monsieur"
| I'VE have met. my dear sir. under
| unfortunate circumstances. You should
not take it too much to heart about the
potato sack. 1t was the fault of my
dear colleagues. All. Armitage, you
look rather i'll. but l trust you will
harbor no harsh feelings"
Armitage did not look a. him. His
| eyes were upon the PROSTATE figure of
| Chauvenet. who seemed to be regain
ing his wits. He moaned and opened
his eyes.
Search him. Claiborne. to make
sure. Then get him on his legs and
| pinion his arms and tie the gentlemen
together. The bride on that dead
horse is quite the thing"
But messieurs," began Durand,
who was striving to recover his COM
posture, "this is unnecessary. My friend
and 1 are quite willing to give you
every assurance of our peaceable in
tentions."
81 don't question it." laughed Clai-
borne.
"But, my dear sir, in America, even
in delightful America, the law will
protect the citizens Of another coun-
try"
ut will, indeed" and Claiborne grin
ned, put his revolver into Armitage's
hand and proceeded to cut the reins
from the dead horse. In America
such amiable scoundrels as you are
| given the freedom Of cities and little
children scatter flowers in their path.
You ought to write for the funny pa
pers, monsieur"
II trust your wounds are not serious,
my dear Armitage"-
| Armitage, sitting on bowlder, turn
ed his eyes YEARLY upon Durand,
whose wrists Claiborne was knotting
together with a strap. The officer spun
the man around viciously.
"You beast If you address Mr.. Armi-
tage again I'll choke your
| Chauvenet. sitting up and staring
duly about. was greeted ironically by
| Durand:
prisoners, my dearest Jules; pris-
oners. do you understand? VIII you
| please arrange with dear Armitage to
let us 60 home and be good?'
Claiborne emptied the contents OF
Durand's pockets upon the ground and
tossed flask to Armitage.
I'VE will discuss matters at the bun.
gslow. They always go to the nearest
farmhouse to sign the treaty of peace.
Let us do everything according to the
best traditions"
A moment latter Oscar ran in from
! the direction of the gap to find the
work done and the party ready to
leave.
Where is the Seryian9" demanded
| Armitage.
The soldier saluted, glanced from
Chauvenet to Durand and from Clai.
borne to Armitage.
| "Ha will not coyna hacIr .o;d A.