Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-11-12

short. acquaintance. win tell you
| frankly that have blown hot and colo
about you as | never did before witt
another man in my life. On the ship
coming over and when | met you il
| Washington thought well of you
Then your cigarette case shook my
confidence in You there at the Army
and Navy club that night, and now
ID my cigarette caser' beloved
Armitage clapping his hand to his
pocket to make sure of it.
That's what | sayl But it was a
disagreeable situation. You must ad-
nit that"
1T was indeed"
at requires some nerve for a man to
tell a circumstantial story like that to
a tableful of gentlemen about one of
the gentIemen!'
NO doubt of it whatever. Mr. Clai-
borne"
Armitage unbuttoned his coat and
| jerked back the lapels impatiently.
-sAnd knew as much about NJ
Chauvenet as did about you or as
do about YOU
what you know of him. Mr.. Clai
borne, is of no consequence. And what
you don't know about me would fill Il
large volume How did you get here
and what do you propose doing now
that you are here? | am in a hurry
and have no time to waste. If can't
get anything satisfactory out of you
within two minutes I'm going to chuck
you back into the sack"
81 came up here in the hills to look
for you-yo u-youI Do you under
stand?" began Claiborne angrily. AND
as | was riding along the road about
two miles from here | ran into three
men on horseback When l stopped te
parley with them and find out what
they were doing they crept up on me-
and grabbed my horse and put thai
en- me for you. and they brought M
here. into your house. and pulled th
sack off and were decidedly disagreed
pie at finding they had made a mis-
take. One of them had gone in to ran
sack your effects, and when they pub
ed off the bag and disclosed the wrons
hare he dropped his loot on the floor
and then told them to so to thu
devil, and hope they've done il. When
you came in was picking up your
traps, and submit that the sword is
handsome enough to challenge any
body's eye And there's all there is of
the story. and | don't care whether
you believe it or not
Their eyes were fixed upon each 9th
eE in a gaze of anger and resentment
Suddenly Armitage's tense figure re
laxed the fierce light in his eyes gave
way to CLEAN of humor, and he
laughed long and loud.
Your face-your face, Claiborne. It's
funny. It's too funny for any use
When your teeth show, it's something
CHASTITY For Gods sake, go in there
and wash your face"
He made light in his own room and
piled Claiborne with towels, while he
continued to break forth occasionally
in fresh bursts of laughter. When
they went into the hall both men were
/ grave.
Claiborne
Armitage put out his hand, and Clai
borne took it in vigorous clasp.
You don't know who am or what
am, and haven't got time to tell yon
now. It's long story, and have
much to do, but / swear to you. Clai
i borne that my hands are clean; that
the game am playing is no affair OF
my own, but big thing that have
pledged myself to carry through.
want you to ride down there in the
valley and keep Marhof quiet for
| few hours. Tell him | know more of
what's going on in Vienna than he does
and that If he will only sit in rock
! ing chair and tell you fairy stories till
morning we can all be happy. Is it
bargain-or-must / still hang your
head down the well till get through?".
"Marhof may go to the devil! He's
| lot more mysterious than even you.
Armitage. These fellows that brought
me up here to kill me in the belief that
| was you cannot be friends of Mar
| hof's cause"
'sThey are not l assure you they are
1AVt- AACJ aAc OAdChSudtuS Vi Tue bidCk-
est dye
Il believe you, Armitage."
THANK you. Now your horse is at
the door. Rum along like good fel-
low"
Armitage Owed into his room. caught
up a cartridge belt and reappeared
buckling it on
Oscar" he yelled, bring in that
coffee. with cups for two
He kicked off his boots and drew on
| light shoes and leggings.
Light marching orders for the rough
| places. Confound that buckle"
He rose and stamped his feet to set
| tie the shoes
''Your horse is at the door That ras-
cal Oscar win take off the blanket for
you. There's bottle of fair whisky in
the cupboard, If you'd like nip before