Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-05-21

IN my eyes ana L neaTu COUSIN BRAN
roaring a song as he staggered below my
window II was the internal tune the
Swedish crone had sung.
A girl, a bottle, and a gun.
To make the seasons fit
I waited to hear no more, but sprang up
and began to dress Was 1t possible, 1
thought, that this reckless fellow, all bluff
humor and genlality, was in league with a
gang Of outlaws against me-against Henry
Morvan? What could he possibly hope to
gain by It?
/ found Bran had already had his break
fast and was off with the hounds to draw
q thicket on the chance Of a stray fox.
He had left word he would ride with me II
/ would wait for an hour or two.
mo, thank you, my dear cousin" l mutt
tered to myself. II prefer my own COM
pany." 1 wondered II It were in any way
possible to obtain the company OF a certain
other cousin" that day, even IL it were
only to be tainted as a spy.
had an inspiration that made me thrill
but first It seemed desirable to tell the
Buckaloos of my talk with Lem Baker.
enjoyed playing the kindly lord Of the
manor.
1t was not worth while waiting for my
horse to be saddled, so, having given orders
walked along the uplands and struck into
the path to the piners cottage.
Within a few yards OF 1t a riderless
horse. evidently badly frightened, dashed
by me and went careering across the fields.
While / stood wondering, Mr.. Lawrence
Arnold appeared, driven before the fowl
ing piece OF Tim Buckaloo. fell in beside
them.
Whats this2" 1 demanded sternly,
though the matter was clear enough to my
mind. What's the trouble. now?"
Hes here after my gel again." ex-
claimed Buckaloo angrily. HE sneaked
UP here early-after Ia gone to work.
came back to get an axe and caught i'm
walkin along soft through the woods, back
o. my house."
Curse it, cried Arnold, completely ignor-
ing the piner's complaint THE FOOLS
frightened my brute so, he won't stop this
side of Fairview-I1l have to foot It home"
He glanced back at Buckaloo and hurried
along as he spoke
was astounded at his indifference to
what might we'll have been considered good
cause for shame that he fairly led me by
the nose,
II haven't walked a mile in five years."
he stormed, as he quickened his pace.
Joined. You seem to make tolerable
progress-with the aid of a fowlng piece
Besides, l venture to say your friends at
Merrys Tavern will lend you horse II
your legs fail you"
1t was a chance shot, but It seemed to
strike home
MY friends at Merry's Tavern, Mr.
/ Morvan2 Ny friends do not live at an
ordinary, sir. / don't know what your for
eign customs may be-" He never ceased
his rapid walk.
Il had supposed you to be tolerably
acquainted at ordinaries" said with what
1 considered rare sarcasm.
mot at all, Ged Mr.. Morvan, not at
all. No gentleman hereabouts less &C
quainted. sir" Buckaloo and l nearly had
to run to keep up with him.
Then, all at once, 1 saw his design. He
had beguiled me very prettily almost to
the edge of the woods. In another rod or
two he would be in the fieds-in sight of
Morvan and OF any Of the farm hands
who might glance our way-in sight even
of travellers on the road. In a word, we
would be in the public eye. where It would
be impossible for me-snce was a Nor
van, proprietor conslderate Of my own
dignity-to quarrel with him.
clutched him by the arm and brought
him to halt. mot so fast, SIR" said
THAT will do, Buckaloo-PH settle this
matter with Mr.. Arnold. You can GO"
The piner hesitated, but one glance at
my face convinced him that his interests
were safe with me. He fell back to a
respectful distance.
Arnold, relieved from the threat of Buck
aloo's weapon, faced me sullenly. My sar-
castle humor changed to anger as caught
his steady glover.
Sir" said, "tor the second time find
you on my land without invltation-and
for purpose l scorn to name"
What Of it?' he demanded roughly.
''Thisv / answered and struck him
smartly on the jaw.
He turned a fiery red. by heaven!-"
His wrath choked him.
Send your second to Mr.. Thomas Stock
ton" 1 said. He'll act for me-"
turned on my heel.
He stepped in front Of me- Now you're
too fast" he growled. I'm fight right
enough. But not with swords or pistols
you're foreigner enough 10 beat me there.
That's what you're counting on, Ell? No.
no. I'm not Frenchified fencing master.
nor a Dublin duellist neither. but II YOU
mean fight, fight with fists. Mill with me,
II you dsre-and do II now. There's
smooth piece Of ground IN the hollow
beyond your boundary hickory"
II he had thought to brighten me with
nsticuffs, he was soon undeceived.
Amy way you like" / rejoined, "and
anywhere you please-the sooner. the bet
ter"
Without more words, We left the pines,
and began 10 hurry across the fields Bran
came running toward us, a motley collec-
ton Of hounds at his heels.
There they go!" he yelled "sight
'em, boys-sight 'eml' The dogs leaDed
about US. and Bran roared with laughter
as Arnold and myself in no mood for fool
cry, rebuffed them impatiently.
Good dogs-good dogs" Hark to EN-,
lads! Seize EN- fast-fastl Hello. Laurie.