The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-01-28

The stables were IuIl OIL strong,
seryiceable nags, worthy of the shire
which bred them, and the busy host
lers had scarce time to attend to the
demand of a stranger, who had been
staying for the last two days at the
inn, that ore or other OF them should
saddle the horse he Lad ridden each
day since he arrived.
Hand it over to me, and I'll sad
die him myself" he said at length.
Il am no fool about horse, and can
generally manage all want with my
own hands" So saying, he proceeded
to saddle the steed he had selected,
and soon trotted out of the yard.
A stranger was novelty at Earls-
hall, and several inquiries were ad-
dressed to mine host who mixed on
pleasant, easy terms with his guests.
THE visitor was from Lunnon' or
from furrin parts" But he knew a
horse when he saw one; he had been
over to Denham all day long; the
landlords opinion was that likely he
came from newspaper, and he
hoped as how he would write up the
''Black Horse" There was letter
for him that morning from Denham
II know the paper and the crest
stamped outside, added the host;
4 dare say he's an electioneering
chap"
Unconscious of these comments
Lambert rode ON with a grey, set
face, and firmly closed mouth. The
letter he had received that morning
had been brief-"I will hear what
yol have to say, but I do not wish a
criminal to cross my threshold. You
must meet me by the Deers Barn in
the Beech Wood, about mile from
the village. Any one will direct you :"
This had no signature and was adj
dressed to "Mr. Smith, Lambert
took it out and read it, gnashing his
teeth as he did so.
''The insolent, daring villain" he
muttered; "can I do nothing to turn
his flank? If he had CLEAN Of con-
science he would be less daringly I'M
scrupulous, but he hasn't enough to
make a coward of him. Glynn is my
best card, but Deering knows his
strength; he has only to lie boldly,
and am at his mercy.
II must keep my brain clear" he
muttered. II wish | could get quit of
this mad desire to shoot Deering-it
wouldn't dot wouldn't do. / could
never stroll through cool country
lanes with my Elsie again; I never
could stroke her bright hair with this
right hand if it had committed MUIR
der. That have never done. No,
Deering, you internal liari in
fair fight have killed my man"
When he reached the very humble
little hosiery distinguished by the
sign of the "Saracen's Head" the
crest of the behring's, which stood be-
side the village green of Denham,
Lambert was cool and collected
enough. He dismounted, and desired
that his horse should be given feed
of oats, that the girths should be
loosened, but the saddle was not to
be removed, for said he very de-
liberately, 81 want to finish sketch
of the Deer's Barn, and get back to
catch the up-train at Earlshall about
6, so may want the horse all in a
hurry
So saying, he walked quietly
through the great old wrought-iron
gates, and up the stately avenue fer
a few hundred yards. Then striking
to the left, he quickened his pace,
and plunged into the beautiful woods.
And all these grand woods, this
beautiful sweep of hills. these groups
of dappled deer, that murmuring
brown stream, the solemn, stately
beeches that clustered round the barn
which stood at the verge of the deer
park-all these were Elsie's; AMI as
he thought, Travers Deering came
out from the shadow of the rough,
picturesque edifice and advanced to
meet him.
The two men came face to face a
little IN the rear of the barn, and
stood in silence for a few seconds,
cycling each other with deadly hatred;
nor was the gaze of the unscrupulous
villain shade less steady or UNI
flinching than that of the man he in
tended to make his victim.
Pray, why have you taken the
trouble to come down here, when you
might have seen me in town next
week." asked Deering coolly.
For various reasons, chiefly be-
cause ] could not wait"
Then you have something inn
portant, something favorable for
yourself to propose. First, wher. is
Elsie? You know2"
II do
us she in England"
mo"
"Wil you tell me where she is?"
II will -urther on"
Very good; let me hear what you
have to say" taking out cigar, and
striking a fusee he lit it with elab-
crate composure.
Il succeeded in hiding myself and
my child from you and your devilish
designs" began Lambert in voice
that vibrated with thc anger he could
hardly control. However, couldn't
carry out my plans, and know one
cannot keep out of sight forever, so
made up my mind to see il we can't
come to an agreement. Let us go.
and I'll never say a word against you.
or NEEDLE in any way
is that all you have to say for
yourself?" returned Deering. CON
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