, 1912-11-21

.roceaded TO fasten Ii to the trunk of
a big tree which grew in the middle of
Tho road. an act Of generalization which
showed strange powers Of prophecy.
How could he. except by means of
c~lairyoyance. IA known before leav-
ing home that he was not to meet his
enemy face to faceG
As Mr.. Shaw afterSward read the
note and tossed 1t into the river, 1t is
onIv fair that the world should know
It's contents while 1t hung unfolded to
the bark of the tall tree. 1t said in a
very scrawling hand: "Mr. Shaw. l
have looked all over this end of your
land flor you this afternoon. You
doubtless choose to avoid me. So be
II. Let me state ono and for all that
your conduct is despicable. | came
here personally to tell yod to keep Off
my land henceforth and orever.
will not repeat this warning. but will
instead, If you persist, take such sum
mary measures as would befit a per-
son Of your instincts. l trust you will
feel the Importance Of keeping of"
To this his lordship bravely signed
himself.
There" he muttered. again holding
his watch and fob up for close inspec-
ton. hell not soon overlook what
I've said in that letter. confound himr'
He had not observed the approached
Randolph Shaw. who now stood, pipe
in hand, some twenty PAGES behind
him in the road.
What the devil are you doing?" de-
handed a strong bass voice. 1t had
the effect Of a cannon shot.
His lordship leaped half out of
his ~corduroys. turned with agonizing
%abruptness toward the tall young man
and gasped "Oh!" so shrilly that his
horse looked up with a start. The
next instant his watch dropped forgot,
ten from his fingers. and his nimble
little legs scurried for territory beyond
the log. Nor did he pause upon
reaching that supposedly safe ground !
The swift glance he gave the nearby
river was significant as well as appre-
hensive. 1t moved him to increased
but unpublished haste.
He leaped frantically for the saddle.
scorning the stirrups. landing broad
side, but with sufficient nervous ener-
gy In reserve to scramble on and up
ward into the seat. Once there he
kicked the animal In the tanks with
both heels. clutching with his knees
and reaching for the bride rein in
the same motion. The horse plunged
obediently. but came to a stop with
a jerk that almost unseated the rider;
the sapling swayed: the good but For
gotten rein held firm.
Hal" gasped his lordship as the
horrid truth became clear to him.
Charge. Bonaparte!' shouted the
man in the road.
"Soldiers!" cried the rider, with a
wild look among the trees.
MY dog" called back the other.
"He charges at the word"
well, you know, I saw service In
the army" a~pologized his lordship.
with a pale smile. "Get ept' to the
horse.
whats your hurry?" asked Shaw.
grinning broadly as he came up to the
log.
"Don't-don't you dare to step over
that log!" shouted Bazelhurst.
"All right. | see: but. after all.
what's the rush?' The other was puz-
lied for the moment.
I'm practiclng, SIR" he ,aid un-
steadily. show tt mount on a run.
demmit. Can't you seer
I'm case of fire. l imagine. Well.
you made excellent time. By the way.
what has this envelope to do with ltT"
who are you. sir?"
SHAW. And your"
your learn when you read that
document. Take 1t home with you"
"Ah. yes: | ,see it's for me. Why
don't you unite that hitch rein? And
what the dickens do you mean by hav-
Ing a hitch rein anyway? No rider
"COnfound you ~impudence. sir!
did not come here to receive instruc-
tons from you. dem your cried his
lordship detiantly. He had succeeded
at hat moment in surreptitiousiy
slashing the hitch rein In two with his
pocketknife. There was nothing now
to prevent him from giving the obtru-
slve young man u defiant farewell. II
am Lord Bazelhurst. Good day. sir"
"Just a minute. YOU lordship." call
ell Shaw. n doubt you were timing
yourself a bit ago, but that's no reason
why you should leave your watch on
my land. OF course Tve nothing
against the watch. and. while | prom
Use you faithfully that any human be-
ing from your side of the log who
ventures over on my side shall De
elected In N way OF another. 1t would
seem senseless for me to kick this
hmepiece into the middle OF next
week." .
Don't you dare kick that watch
It's a hundred years old"
a be it from me to take advan-
tage of anything so old Don't you
want II any InnuarpW