The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-09-01
CHAPTER XIV.
Antaeus One Second.

For some time after recognizing
the unpalatable fact that the idol pos
sessed "homing instinct" far sur
passing that of the most domestic
cat, Campion sat and stared at it
with blank and intense disgust.
He wrapped the image in the piece
of drapery which had already been
spoiled in it's service, and, providing
himself with a pa1ette-knife as the
best implement at his disposal, he
went out into the weedy little plot of
ground in front of his house and be-
gan his task.
1t was close, airless night, with a
murky sky through which the very
moon looked hot and flushed. Cam
pion found it warmer and more diff
ficult work than he had imagined to
dig with such a substitute as he had
for trowel. However, he scratched
up the mold in little showers as we'll
as he could, and while thus engaged
he heard the heavy booted tramp of
night constable ringing down the
flags of that quiet road.
Campion did not disturb himself.
There is no police regulation forbid
ding man to bury any of his house,
hold gods in his garden; it may be
eccentric, but it is not unlawful. So
he hummed, like Juvenals penniless
traveller.
The steps came nearer. Now and
then the constable stopped to try a
gate, or flash his bull's-eye through
a keyhole, or listen at areas, but at
last, just as Campion had constructed
a really handsome hole for the idols
reception, the steps paused at his own
gate, and patch of light from the
lantern danced over the garden and
up the house front.
What are you doing of in there,
eh?" said a voice across the ratings.
well" said Campion, 81 don't sup
pose you would ever guess.
II guess you can't be up to any
good at this time of night, if that's
what you mean"
why" cried Campion, with sudden
recognition, II ought to know that
voice. Isn't your name Yarker?"
quite correct, sir, Mrs. Standards
man that was. And 1 reckonize you
now, Mr.. Campion, sir But without
wishing to make trouble, / don't
reckonize what business you can have
inside of another party's front gar
den"
but it's my own garden-this is
my house! Have you forgotten that
in your new duties?"
II can't say" said Yarker, loftily,
"that ever give the subjick much
attention, beyond knowing you were
artist. You see, when i was at
Sussex Place always used to bear
sort of prejudice like against you,
not for what you was, for I'm one
of them that draws no distinction in
that way. If man feels he can't
get living in any other way except
as artist, let him be artist, say.
don't blame him for it,"
Those are broad views, Yarker,"
observed Campion.
He had elaborated his hole and was
preparing to deposit the idol at the
bottom of it, when a horrible thing
happened; the thing moved-moved
under the wrappings in his hand.
He dropped it as 4 it had bitten
him. "As a matter OF fact" he con-
tinued, without knowing what he
was saying, "I'm only doing what /
have perfect right to do in my own
interests; every householder can
abate a nuisance, think you call it.
But am keeping you.
No, you are not keeping me, thank
you, sir,' said Yarker, cheerfully.
LAS / said, a little conversation is a
treat to me. Did you say you was
a-baiting something, sir, for nuis-
ance-a trap, I take it?"
"Yes," said Campion, stealthily
putting out his hand to assure him
self by touch that his imagination had
deceived him, and that nothing stirred
inside the drapery. n
II suppose now" he continued,
not knowing how he was to get rid
of the official, and seeking desper-
ately for safer topic--"I suppose
you have a good many opportunities
of studying ah-astronomy on your
beat?"
"Oh, I've read in my time, mind
you, ami it's wonderful how much
more man finds he knows than he
thinks he did when he numbers off
like. But there, / get attacking, and
all the time never asked you what
it was you was trapping"
"Drains!" said Campion, wildly;
my gardens overrun with them!"
"You needn't answer me back like
that. said Yarker; "if I'm willing TO
talk free and familiar, it isn't for you
to take advantage of it. I asked a
civil question, and If you're going to
talk fiippant, it's time l left you,.to
yourself and went on with my
rounds"
To Campion's intense delight he
moved slowly away, obviously in
suited
@Good evening" said Campion. and
his heart leaped. 1t Ieaped as far as
his mouth the next moment, however,
for suddenly just as the constable