The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1909-01-09

EMZ Oscar s1 s gained e.l the
He lay holOling tcith venet.s cnrses
P~ did not halt the
Servian when he found Oscar at his
heels.
Chauvenet stood impassively by the
wall. his revolver raised and covering
Armitage, who walked slowly and dog
gedly toward him. The pallor in Armi-
tage's face gave him an unearthly look.
He appeared to be trying to force him
self to pace Of which his wavering
limbs were incapable. At the moment
that Claiborne sprang upon the wall
behind Chauyenet Armitage swerved
and stumbled. then swayed from side
to side Ike a drunken man. His left
arm swung limp at his side. and his
revolver remained undrawn In his belt.
His gray felt hat was twitched to one
side Of his head. adding a grotesque
touch TO the impression Of drunken
ness. and he was talking aloud:
shoot me. Mr.. CbaUvenet. Go on
and shoot me. l am John Armitage,
and live in Montana, where real peo-
pie are. Go on and shoot! Winkel-
reds in jail. and the jlg's up. and the
empire and the silly king are safe Co
on and shoot. tell your
He had stumbled on until he was
within dozen steps OF Chauvenet,
who lifted his revolver until 1t covered
Armitage's head
Drop that gun! Drop ii quick" And
Dick Claiborne swung the butt Of his
rife high and brought it down with a
crash on Chauyenets head: then Armi-
tage paused and glanced about and
laughed.
1t was Claiborne who freed Durand
from the dead horse, which had re-
eeived the shots fred at Oscar the mo-
ment he rose at the wall. The fight
was quite knocked out OF the conspira-
tor, and he swore under his breath,
cursing the unconscious Chauvenet and
the missing Zmai and the i'll fortune Of
the fight
Its all over but the shouting
What's next?" demanded Claiborne
Tie him up and tie the other one
up" said Armitage. staring about
Queerly. Where the devil is oscar?"
Hes after the big fellow. You're
badly fused. old man. We've got to
get out Of this and fix you up"
I'm all right I've got hole in my
shoulder that feels as big and hot as
blast furnace. But we've got them
nailed. and it's all right. old man."
Durand continued to curse things Wis
Ible and invisible as be rubbed bis leg
while Claiborne watched him impa-
tiently.
. "If you start to run. I'll certainly Kill
you. monsieur
I'VE have met my dear sir. under
unfortunate circumstances. You should
not take it too much to heart about the
potato sack 1t was the fault of my
dear colleagues. All. Armitage. you
/ look rather i'll. but | trust you will
harbor no harsh feelings"
Armitage did not look at him. Bis
eyes were upon the PROSTATE figure of
| Chauvenet. who seemed to be regain
ing his wits. He moaned and opened
his eyes.
Search him. Claiborne. TO make
sure. Then get him on his legs and
pinion his arms and tie the gentlemen
together The bride on that dead
/ horse is quite the thing"
But. messieurs." began Durand.
who was striving TO recover his com
posture. this is unnecessary. My friend
and are quite willing to give you
every assurance of cur peaceable in
tentions."
Il don't question it." laughed Clai-
borne.
But. my dear sir. in America. even
! IN delightful America. the law viii
protect the citizens OF another coun-
Try"
aIt will. indeed" and Claiborne grin
ned. put his revolver into Arrnitage's
hand and proceeded to cut the reins
! from the dead horse. I'm America
such amiable scoundrels as you are.
/ given the f-eedcm or citles ana lItle
children scatter flowers in their path.
You ought to write for the funny pa
/ pers. monsieur"
Il trust your wounds are not serious.
nv dear ArDita ge"-
Armitage. sitting on bowlder. turn
ed his eyes YEARLY upon Durand-
whose wrists Claiborne was knotting
together with strap. The officer spun
the man around yiciously.
You beast. IL you address Mr. Armi-
| tage again I'll choke you
Chauvenet, sitting up and staring
duly about, was greeted ironically BY
| Durand:
/ Prisoners. my dearest Jules: pris-
oners. do you understand? VIII you
| please arrange with dear Armitage TO
LET US 90 home and be good =