Omaha daily bee., 1911-06-18

the story in the county. sir-perhaps have
already done so"
nodded.
Then, sir, you know my claims. They're
just-just, by Heaveni And I'll have my
rights yet" He shook his cane at me-
I'm not too old to see the day. No. no.
Mr. Irving. I'm not too old"
Had l really been a Morvan. all this
would have been nightly unpleasant for
me- The fact that, by the disguise of
name to which had no claim. was keep
ing the old gentleman from his heritage,
was even more dlstasteful. However,
kept discreet silence.
He gave a grim laugh. Perhaps you
don't agree with me. sir. The dreams OF
an old man, Mr.. Irving-an old and broken
man"
AS II willing to change the subject, he
pointed TO a pair of woodducks that had
padded out from the reeds and were be-
ginning to smooth their feathers
See those ducks? There's nothing more
toothsome, properly stuffed with wild
celery and chestnuts Now, IL you had a
fowling piece-or even a good pistol, eh?"
II have pair OF pistols"
'Oh at home. of course"
NO. with me-" answered. but
think"
"Eh? Oh, toysl II will take more than
toys to bring down those wooddicks"
These are first-rate dueling pistols"
explained, but think 1 won't fire on the
ducks. The noise might alarm the neigh
borhood." l was careful to speak i'm a
high key, and he followed my words with
the most earnest attention.
You go armed, Mr.. Irving?" There
was a certain uneasiness in his tone 1
remembered Bran had not given him a
character for courage You go heavily
armed, sir?'
Yes, since the recent outrage here"
SIR"
"A man was beaten by outlaws close by
here" shouted. Haven't you heard?"
Yes, yes, of course. Mr.. Lawrence
Arnold was telling me Of it yesterdays
disgraceful piece Of business Mr.. Arnold
was saying that although he dislilIes Mr.
Henry Morvan personally, such an act Is
shameful. also have reason to dislike
the name of Morvan, but abhor violence.
sir-abhor violence. So you think 1t ad-
Visable to go ARMED, Mr.. Irving-even
though you are only peacabIe citizen like
mysef-yes yes. like MYSELF"
Il happened to pick up some pistols of
Mr.. Stockton's today"
"Sr?"
The pistols I'm carrying are Mr.. Thomas
Stocktons"
God bless me! You don't say so? If Mr..
Stockton believes it's time to be carrying
pistols I shall have to find a pair for my
self The county must be in a very danger
Gus condition. indeed, SRA disgraceful
condition, should say"
Il fancy no one would attach vo,, ~ 7
returned.
you mean I'm too old. Yes, it's true
true, Mr.. Irving-and too poor, too
have confidence in your discretion sir-I
am too poor to tempt footpads, confess.
But" he beat the ground with his stick.
Il have a daughter-a daughter TO look
after"
Then why the devil don't you do it."
muttered, instead of letting her gallon all
over the county?"
"sir2 The devil what. sir?"
THE devil seems to be loose in the
county"
Hal Very good. The devil in the shape
of a charcoal owl on a charcoal horse-eh,
Mr.. Irving?"
Have you seen one of Pine Owls proc
lamations?" I cried.
IT? Heaven Forbid Mr.. Arnold was tell
ing me about one Mr. Henry Morvan re-
ceived."
Where did Mr.. Arnold see it?"
MT Arnold? No, believe Mr.. Bram-
field Morvan saw It, It was he told Lawr-
ence. Yes, yes-a skeleton own, drawn in
charcoal L think. A dangerous condition
of the county-very; but only TO be ex-
pected in country that prefers General
jackson to John Quincy Adams. 1 take IL
a gantiarnap nF
are those Of Washington and Hamilton,
SIR"
The old man began to bore me. well
sir, I'll bid you good morning." I said
Please present my good wishes to Miss
Dayton"
Eth? Oh, certainly, certainly. will
DO so. Good morning Mr. Irving"
1 bowed, and turned away. by the
way" I said. IT have a mount near here.
Can't 1 set you on your way homer
SIR Oh my mount Yes, it's waiting
for me few rods back Mr. Arnold is
kind enough to place one at my disposal
from time to time, He's very obliging, I'm
sure
left the old man to his sullen brooding
over his rights to Morvan, rights not i'm
aginary, If he but knew the truth. On the
other side of the thicket the horse Arnold
had lent John Dayton was oontentedly
gnawing at some sassafras twigs He was
bay, good sixteen hands high. There
was something vaguely familiar about his
powerful outline.
AS l passed close to his head, he laid
back his ears, and rolled a wicked eye at
me- Now, I am usually we'll liked by ami
mails of all sorts. This ones evident hos
tffty struck me with peculiar force.
stopped, and examined him attentively.
Full between his eyes, a heavy blow had
cut out a little square OF flesh.
by Heavenl' 1 muttered 1T knew III
1t was Lawrence Arnold"
CHAPTER XVIII.