The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-11

 Why should he criti6se Tom's
 Exactly" continued Denning. ''I said, T can change my scarf-pin, but I don't like your face.'"
 At this moment Clay entered from the dining-room and moved toward the hallway.
 where's Jack" he paused to ask Ellinger.
 Saying goodnight to some old gentleman below"
 Denning grabbed the boy by the lapel of the coat as he was going, and
 And l don't like your face.'
 That's all right, MT. Denning. ' Clay. tried to pass him. 'Excuse me-"
 Excuse me-" echoed Denning, as he held on to the boy, and at the same time. with his disengaged hand, drew the scarf-pin from his ite pin?"
 '"It's a cat's-eye." answered the boy, tremblingly, land I don't like them, that's all-I don't like to look at them.
 Let him alone. Tom." Ellinger ex- postulated.
 "Damned if he ain't scared of it!' laughed Denning, waving the pin in annoying proximity to the boys face.
 Don't do that!'' Clay screamed, in tones that were audible through the railways.
 "It won't bite you, will it?" Hard muth sneered, in manifest contempt for the boys weakness.
 .'It will bite him." Denning answer ed, pushing the pin against Clay's cheek and barking in imitation of a dag.
 Don't, tell you-dont!" screamed the boy. drunkard.
 The lad made frantic effort to free himself from Denning, and with both hands succeeded in pushing him step or two away. Denning, cheer ed on by the applause and laughter of Hardmuth, as we'll as by the mere physical excitement of the contest, the objectionable pin before him. Clay turned to escape-the table was in his way. As his hands fell upon it one of them mechanically clutched the large ivory paper cutter lying on the table. Without intent to injure, nothing but the instinctive resistance of a hunted animal, the boy struck in the direction of his pursuer. The heavy tusk-of greater. weight than an equal billet of green oak-caught Denning just above the temple. A second and a third time Clay struck with the unreasoning impulse of panic and defence. The drunkard swayed a moment under the blows, and fell, an inert mass, at the feet of Ellinger just as Brookfeld. having dismissed his. visitor and alarmed by the cries, came hurrtedly into the room. Brookf1eld saw the falling figure; he saw the prf0 f0H. 1ivyil derstanding what he had done and yet aghast at what he comprehended. Jack called to him. 4
 'eHe pushed that horrible cat's-eye right against my face!' the boy cried with trembling lips.
 'What cat's-eye!
 "only playing with him." Hard of the prosecutor. as he stopped and picked up the jewel-.'a. scarf-pin.''
 Ellinger was kneeling over Denning, and tried to lift his head. He now turned. and, in laconic phraseology most familiar to his hearers. said:
 He's out, Jack"
 Brookfleld also knelt beside him, critically examining the stricken man.
 ~ didn't mean to hurt him." Clay lamented-'really I didn't mean
 sThe hell you didn'tr Hardmuth accused, taking the paper-cutter from the boy. why, you could kill a bull with that ivory tusk!''
 Jo and Harvey, the darky servants, had entered the room. Mrs. Camp bell, having been on an upper floor, had not heard the cries of the boy, but had decided to leave the house upon the report which Viola had had now come to announce her de- parture.
 Wait minute,'' her brother com manded. Then speaking to the neg roes, he said, Help MT. Ellinger put him on the window-seat give him some air."
 Brookfeld pointed into the dining room. Ellinger and the darkies car ried Dennipg from the library.
 What Is it?" Mrs. Campbell in- quired, startled at the scene before her.
 "An accident Jack answered. Keep Helen and Viola out of these rooms"
 Hadn't we better go? Clay is with
 .sI can't go just now" Mrs. Camp bell oueried, looking from her broth CT to Hardmuth.
 There was momentary pause as the mems eyes followed the direction in which Denning had been carried
  field with a single gesture of hopeless Import.
 "A murder!" Hardmuth answered.
 His reply was overheard by Mrs. Whipple and Viola as they entered the room. Before they could inquire It's meaning Clay, wild eyed and ter came running from the calling as he saw his 
 "Tve killed him, mother! I've kill- ed him!"
 Killed him!--whom?
 From Denning," Hardmuth made reply, in persistent accusation.
 "But never meant it." Clay cried, T just struck him, Jack struck wild!"
 with this," Hardmuth added, maI- holding the ivory tusk hlud- geon fashion.
 With that-Oh. my boy!" And Helen took the trembling lad in her
 .That will do." said Brookf1eld talk ing command of the situation "that will do. everybody"
 The agitated group became for the obedient and attentive.
 Lew, telephone Dr. Monroe it's an case, and to come in his and slippers" Ellinger left the room.
 'Alice, I know you're not afraid of B sick man-or-that sort of thing. Help me and Jo" Broolxfield put hIs arm about his sister preparatory to leading her to where Denning's pros trate form lay, turned. and, address ing his niece, said, "Viola, you take Mrs. Whipple upstairs and wait there."
 Hardmuth, craftily- assuming a part