Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-11-11

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 sweryel
md stumbled, then swayed from side
to side like n drunken man. His left
arm swung limp Mt his side, and his
revolver remained undrawn in his belt.
His gray felt hat was twitched to one
side of his head, adding q grotesque
touch to the impression of drunken
ness, and he was talking aloud:
"Shoot me, Mr.. Chauvenet. Go on
and shoot me. am John Armitage,
and live in Montana, where real peo-
pie are. Go on and slooti Winkel-
ried's In jail. and the jig's up, and the
empire and the silly king are safe. Go
on and shoot, tell yon!"
He had stumbled on until lie was
within dozen steps of Chauvenet,
who lifted his revolver Until it covered
Armitage's head
drop that gun! Drop it quickw And
Dick Claiborne swung the butt of his
rifle high and brought 1t down with a
crash on Chauvenets head; then 4Armi-
tage paused and glanced about and
laughed
Nc Vail a,,o H
from the dead horse, which had re-
ceived the shots fired Mt Oscar the mo-
ment he rose ut 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.
ITS oil over but the shouting.
WHATS next?" demanded Claiborne.
''Tie him up and tie the other one
up" said Armitage, staring about
queerly. Where the devil is oscar?"
Hes after the big fellow. You're
badly fused, old man. We've got to
get out of this and fix you up"
I'm all right. I've got hole in my
shoulder that feels as big and hot as n
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 hefubbed his leg,
while Claiborne watched him impa-
tiently.
"If you start to run, I'll certainly kill
YOU, monsieur"
1--WE 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 Ill, but l trust you will
harbor no harsh feelings"
Armitage did not look at 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 OH that dead
horse is quite the thing
But, messieurs," began Durand,
who was striving to recover his com
posure, this is unnecessary. My friend
and l are quite willing to give you
every assurance of our peaceable In
tentions."
II 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"
1T will, indeed" and Claiborne grim
ned. put his revolver into Armitagc's
Illnnd 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
ipers, monsieur"
II trust your wounds are not serious,
my dear Armitage'-
Armitage, sitting on a bowlder, turn
ed his eyes YEARLY upon Durand,
whose wrists Claiborne was knotting
together with strap. The officer spun
the man around viciously.
"You beast az you-address Mr.. Armi-
tage again I'ffchoke Sou!"
Chauvenet sitting up and staring
duly about, was greeted ironically by
Durand: VI
| Prisoners, my dearest Jules; pris-
] oners do you understand? Will you
please arrange with dear Armitage to