Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-01-01
And Armitage roared with laughter

And Armitage roared with laughter
as the little man, pausing as he buc-
| killed. n cartridge belt under his coat,
bowed, with fine mockery of rever-
ence.
"If man were king he could have
a devillsh fine time of it, Oscar"
"He could review many troops. and
they would fire sautes until tse pow
der cost much money"
"You are mighty right as we say in
Montana, and I'll tell you quite conf
dentially, sergeant, that If | were out
Of work and money and needed job
the thought of being king might tempt
me- These gentlemen who are trying
to stick knives into me think highly of
my chances. They may force me into
the business" And Armitage rose and
kicked the farng knot
Oscar drew on his gauntlet with
jerk.
'They killed the great prime minis
ter-yesY"
"They undoubtedly did, Oscar"
"He was good man: he was a very
great man." said Oscar slowly and
went quickly out and closed the door
softly after him.
The life of the two men in the bun
galow was established in a definite
routine. Oscar was drilled in habits of
observation and attention, and he real
ized without being told that some seri-
Gus business was afoot. He knew that
Armitage's life had been attempted
and that the receipt and dispatch of
kilograms was a part of whatever err
rand had brought his master to the
Virginia hills. His occupations were
wholly to his liking; there was simple
food to eat; there were horses to tend,
and his errands abroad were of the
nature Of scouting and in keeping with
ones dignity who had been q soldier.
He rose often at night to look abroad.
and sometimes he found Armitags
walking the veranda or returning from
a tramp through the wood. Armitage
spent much time studying papers, and
once, the day after Armitage submitted
his wounded arm to Oscars care. be
had seemed upon the verge of a conf
dence.
"To save life. to prevent disaster, to
do a little good in the world, to do
something for Austra-such things are
to the souls credit, Oscar" And then
Armitage's mood changed. and he had
begun chatting in a fashion that was
beyond Oscars comprehension.
The little soldier rode over the hills
to Lamar station in the waning spring
txx-iI ip,t Of fol III ffian
for messages. stuffed Armitages mail
into his pockets at the postoffice and
turned home as the moonlight poured
down the slopes and flooded the val
leys.
At the gate of the hunting park
grounds he bent forward in the saddle
to lift the chain that held it. urged his
horse inside. bent down to refasten It
and as his fingers clutched the iron a
man rose In the shadow of the little
lodge and clasped him about the mid
die. The iron chain swung free and
ratified against the post, and the horse
snorted with fright. then at a word
from Oscar was still. There was the
barest second of waiting, in which the
long arms frightened and the grea
body of his assailant hung heavily
about him; then he dug spurs into the
horses tanks. and the animal leaped
forward, with a snort of rage; jumped
out of the path and tore away through
the woods
Oscars whole strength was taxed tt
hold his seat as the burly figure thump
ed against the horses TANKS. He haf
hoped to shake the man off. but til,
great arms still clasped him. The sit
uation could not last Oscar took ad
G vantage of the moonlight to choose {
spot in which to terminate it, He haC
! his bearings now, and as they crosse,
an opening in the wood he suddenly
} loosened his grip on the horse art
, flung himself backward His assail
{ ant, no longer supported. rolled to th'
ground with Oscar on top of him. az.
. the freed horse galloped away toward
. the stable.
= A rough and tumble fight now fol
Q lowed Oscars 1.-THE, vigorous bod,
t writhed in the grasp of his antagonist
, now free, now clasped by giant arms
:: They saw each others faces plainly il
z TIC Cltdl anu a.
e pauses in the struggle their eyes main
tanned the state of war. At one in
slant, when both men lay with arm
interlocked, half lying on their thighs
Oscar Kissed in the giants ear:
"You are Servian. 1t is an ugl.
race"
And the Servlan cursed him in
fierce growl.
1--WE expected you. You are a BAT
hand with the knife" grunted Oscar
and, feeling the bellowslike chest be
u side him expand as though in prepare
ton for a renewal Of the fight, he sud
denly wrenched himself free of tn
' Servians grasp, ,leaped away a dozel
;. PAGES to the shelter of a great pin
y and turned, revolver in hand.
!, Throw up your hands," he yelled.
The Servian fired without pausing 70