Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-02-05


handsome enough to challenge any
body's eye. And there's all there is of
the story. and | don't care whether
you believe it or not"
Their eyes were fixed upon each 9th
er in gaze of anger and resentment.
Suddenly Armitage's tense figure re-
laxed, the fierce light in his eyes gave
way to a CLEAN of humor, and he
laughed long and loud.
Your face-your face, Claiborne. It's
funny. It's too funny for any USE
When your teeth show, it's something
CHASTITY. For Gods sake, go in there
and wash your facew
He made light in his own room and
piled Claiborne with towels, while he
continued to break forth occasionally
in fresh bursts of laughter. When
they went into the hall both men were
grave.
"Claiborne"-
Armitage put out his hand, and Clai-
borne took it in vigorous clasp.
You don't know who am or what
am, and l haven't got time to tell you
now. It's long story. and | have
borne. that my hands are clean; that
the game l am playing is no affair of
my own, but big thing that have
pledged myself to carry through.
want you to ride down there in the
valley and keep Marhof quiet for
few hours Tell him l know more Of
what's going on in Vienna than he does
and that If he will only sit in rock
ing chair and tell you fairy stories till
morning we can all be happy. Is it
bargain-or-must | still hang your
head down the well till get through"
"Marhof may go to the devil! He's a
lot more mysterious than even you,
Armitage These fellows that brought
me up here to kill me in the belief that
l was you cannot be friends of Mar.
hof's cause"
"They are not. | assure you they are
not. They are backguards of the black
est dye"
Il believe you. ArInitage."
THANK you. Now your horse is at
the door Run along like a good fell
low"
Armitage dived into his room, caught
up a cartridge belt and reappeared
bucklng 1t on
oscar" he yelled. bring in that
coffee. with cups for two"
He kicked off his boots and drew on
light shoes and leggings
Light marching orders for the rough
places. Confound that buckle"
He rose and stamped his feet to set
tie the shoes
"Your horse is at the door. That ras-
cal Oscar will take off the blanket for
you. There's a bottle of fair whisky in
the cupboard, if you'd like nip before
starting. Bless me. | forgot the coffee!
There on the table, Oscar and never
mind the chairs" he added as Oscar
came in with a tin pot and the cups on
a piece of plank.
Pm taking the rifle, Oscar, and be
sure those revolvers are loaded with
the real goods
There was great color in Armi-
tage's face as he strobe about prepar-
ing to leave His eyes danced with ex-
element, and between the sentences
that he jerked out half to himself he
whistled q few bars from a comic opera
that was making record run on
Broadway His steps rang out vigor-
ously from the bare pine floor.
Watch the windows. Oscar. You
may forgive a general anything but a
surprise. Isn't that so, Claiborne =?
And those fellows must be pretty mad
by this time. Excuse the coffee serv-
ice, Claiborne We always pour the
sugar from the paper bag-Original
package you understand And see if
you can't find Captain Claiborne a hat,
Oscar"
With tin cup of steaming coffee in
his hand he sat on the table dangling
his legs. his hat on the back of his
head, the cartridge belt strapped about
his waist over brown corduroy hunt
ing coat. He was in a high mood and
chatfed Oscar as to the probability Of
their breakfasting another morning.
IF we die, Oscar it shall be in a good
cause"
He threw aside his cup with a clat.
ter jumped down and caught the sword
from the table, examined it critically,
then sheathel it with click.
Claiborne had watched Armitage
with growing impotence. He re.
scented the idea Of being thus ignored
Then he put his hand roughly on Armi
, tage's shoulder
Armitage, intent with his own affairs,
had not looked at Claiborne for several
minutes but he glanced at him now as
though just recalling a duty
Lord, man. | didn't mean to throw
you into the road. There's a clean bed
in there that you're welcome to. Go
In and get some sleep"
"I'm not going into the valley" roar
ed Claiborne, and I'm not going tc
bed. I'm going with you"
But bless your soul, man, you can't
go with me! You are as ignorant as .
babe of my affairs and I'm terribly
, busy and have no time to talk to you.