The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-08-05
CHAPTER XIV.
AHtaeus the Second.

StS
For some time after recognizing
the unpalatable fact that the Idol pos
sessed a "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 palette-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 a close, airless night, with a
murky sky through which the very
moon looked hot and flushed. Cam
pion found it warmer and more diff
fcult work than he had imagined to
dig with such a substitute as he had
for a 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
a night constable ringing down the
flags Of that quiet road.
Campion did not disturb himself.
There is no police regulation forbid
ding a 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 J~uvenal's penniless
traveller.
The steps came nearer. Now and
then the constable stopped to try a
| gate, or fash 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 a 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, II 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
a that was. And I reckonize you
now, Mr.. Campion, sir. But without
Wishing to make trouble, I 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?"
IL can't say" said Yarker, loftily,
that 1 yer give the subjick much
attention, beyond knowing you were
a artist. You see, when I was at
Sussex Place l always used to bear
a 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 a man feels he can't
get a living in any other way except
as a artist, let him be a artist, I say.
I 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 if it had bitten
him. "As a matter of fact" he con-
f;nro1 Hu,if1,D,{ 1rDu-- -,Lat h.
was saying, I'm only doing what I
have a perfect right to do in my own
interests; every householder can
abate a nuisance, I think you call it.
But 1 am keeping you"
mo, you are not keeping me, thank
you, SIR" said Yarker, cheerfully.
"As I said, a little conversation is a
treat to me. Did you say you was
a-baiting something, sir, for a nuis-
anee-a trap, l 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.
ouptoSC Ho", AC SobIllluSN,
not knowing how he was to get rid
of the official, and seeking desper-
ately for a safer topic-"I suppose
you have a good many opportunities
OF MISUNDERSTANDING on your
beat?"
"Oh, I've read in my time, mind
you, and it's wonderful how much
more a man finds he knows than he
thinks he did when he numbers off
like. But there, l get a-talking, and
all the time I 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 anG familiar, it isn't for you
to take advantage of it. 1 asked a
civil question, and if you're going to
talk %flippant, 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 leaped as far as
his mouth the next moment, however,
for suddenly, just as the constable
| was moving of for the last time there