Milford chronicle., 1908-12-11
borne took il In a vigorons clasn.

want you to ride down there in the
valley and keep Marhof quiet for a
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 a
bargain-or-must | still hang your
head down the well till get through"
''Marhof may go to the devil! He's a
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"
''They are not. l assure you they are
not. They are blackguards of the black
est dye"
Il believe you, Armitage."
THANK you. Now your horse is at
the door. Run along like a good fell
low"
Armitage dived 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 will take off the blanket for
you. There's a bottle of fair whisky in
tho ouphoard - would IfI-o n rf- boe.,.
starting. Bless me, forgot the coffee!
There on the table, Oscar. and never
mind the chairs" he added as Oscar
came in with a tin pot and the cups on
piece of plank.
I'm taking the rife. Oscar, ald be
sure those revolvers are loaded with
the real goods"
There was a great color in Arm
tage's face as he strobe about prepar
ing to leave His eyes danced with ex
and between the sentences
that he jerked out half to himself he
few bars from a comic opera
that was making a record run on
Broadway. His steps rang out vigor
1usly from the bare pine floor
watch the windows, Oscar. You
nay forgive a general anything but a
surprise Isn't that so Claiborne:
And those fellows must be pretty mad
y this time Excuse the coffee serv
&c, Claiborne. We always pour the
ugar from the paper bag-origina
ackage, you understand. And see if
gu can't find Captain Claiborne a hat
)scar"
With a tin cup Of steaming coffee in
is hand he sat on the table dangling
is legs, his hat on the back of his
cad, the cartridge belt strapped about
is waist over brown corduroy hunt
lg coat. He was in high mood and
laffed Oscar as to the probability of
leir breakfasting another morning
II we die, Oscar, it shall be in a good
iuse"
He threw aside his cup with a clat-
r, jumped down and caught the sword
ON the table, examined it critically.
en- sheathed it with a click
Claiborne had watched Armitage
til a growing Impotence He re-
nted the idea of being thus ignored.
len he put his hand roughly on Armi
ge's shoulder.
Armitage. intent with his own affairs
d n9A looked at Claiborne for several
nutes, but he glanced at him now as
'ugh just recalling a duty.
Lord, man, / didn't mean to throw
j into the road! There's a clean bed
there that you're welcome to. Go
and get some sleep"
I'm not going into the valley" roar
Claiborne. "and I'm not going to
/ I'm going with you"
But bless your SOUL man. you can't
with me! You are as ignorant as a
e of my affairs and I'm terribly
y and have no time to talk to you
ar, that coffee scalded me. Clai
ne, if only | had time. you know.
under existing circumstances
repeat that I'm going with you. !
t know why I'm in this row, and I
I know what it's all about but !
eve what you say about it. and ]
t you to understand that can't be
in bag like a prize potato with
taking a Whack at the man who
me there"
ut II you should get hurt, Clai.
e, 1t would spoil my plans never n
j face your family again." said Ar.
&c earnestly. Take your horse
CO."
N going back to the valley when Ii
DO"
umphl Drink your coffee! Oscar. II
out the rest of the artillery and n
Captain Claiborne his choice" 7
picked up his sword again. flung
blade from the scabbard with a y
and cut the air with it. hum &
a few bars Of a German drinking 81
Then he broke out with:
not think a drawer gentleman, liz
active-valiant or more valiant u
Dung,
daring or more bold, is now alive II