Middletown transcript., 1912-09-14

near the wheel. They say, though, he
is not great hand to sleep, but pass
es most Of his time like a cat, prowl-
ing in and out the black passages and
tunnels Of the Mount. But" abruptly
breaking of, "the play-that's what I
want to know about! The end! How
did it end?"
I'm in no mood for talking"
'Take the bottle, an it'll loosen
your tongue!"
mo"
What! you refuse?"
"Yes."
"Then," philosophioally, "must I
drink alone?"
mot herel"
"Eh?"
"Will you get out, or" and the
mountebank stepped toward the other
with apparently undisguised inten-
ton.
so that's your gamer" Quickly the
soldier sprang to his feet. 81 must
teach you a little politeness, my friend
how We deal with uncivil people in
the army!" And throwing off his coat,
as ready for bout at fisticuffs as for
an encounter Of words, the soldier
confronted the clown. when I'm
done, you'll sing that song of the stick
out Of the other side Of the mouth,
and think your wicked peasant re-
cetved a coddling from his master in
comparison!"
But the mountebank did not answer
with words-and the soldier was
still threatening, and painting dire
prophetic pictures Of what he intend
ed doing, when a strong arm closed
about him; fingers like iron gripped
his throat, and, for some moments
thereafter, although of unusual size
and vigor, the man was more con-
ceTned in keeping his feet than in
searching his vocabulary for pictur-
esque imagery. Then, in spite of his
struggles and best endeavors to free
himself, he felt his head forced back
wards; the grasp on his neck tight
ened. Still he could not shake off that
deadly hold, and, aware that conscious
ness was gradually leaving him, his
efforts relaxed. After that, for an in
teryal, he remembered nothing; but
with returning realization and a vague
sense of stiffness in his throat, in a
rough sort of way was prepared to ac-
cept defeat; acknowledge the others
supremacy, and seal that acknowledge
ment over the bottle.
Only the mountebank afforded him
no opportunity thus to toast the "best
man." with long strap of leather
snatched from one Of the pegs, he had
already bound the hands and feet Of
his bulky antagonist, and was just ris-
ing to survey his handiwork, when the
other opened his eyes.
Here! What do you mean?" ex-
claimed the soldier, when even the
power vocally to express further sur
prise or indignation was denied him,
IN consequence of something soft be-
ing thrust between his teeth; and
mute, helpless, he could but express
IN looks the disgusted inquiry his lips
refused to frame.
- ~ . AO JOhSg answered. Lu0
mountebank, rapidly passing an end
OF the strap, binding the soldier, about
a post OF the stall and securing it,
sa1lor-Wise. "a poor return for hos
pltaIlty, yet needs must, when the
devil drives!" quickly seizing a hand
1uI OF marsh grass from the ground
and rubbing it over his face. "Any-
how you'll be none the worse on the
morrow" stepping toward the lantern.
While who can say? He laughs |
Dest- About to blow out the fame. |
he stopped, attracted by something his |
foot had thrust aside; a garment: tba |
soldiers! A moment he SURVEYED if.
stopped; picked it up. Unless 7 am
mistaken" casting aside his own coat
slipping on that of the soldier. and |
then donning the latters cap, which
had fallen in the struggle. eve are
about OF a size. And this sword" nm
fastening the belt from the prostrate
jailer, Should go with the coat" A
moment his words, tense, reckless,
continued to vibrate in the soldiers
ears, then: "I'Il leave you the Ian.
tern!" And darkness fell over the
place.
Boldly, a little uncertainty, as the
soldier had walked, the mountebank.
now, to all appearance, man of the
ranks in the service of his Excellency.
the Governor, strobe down the wide.
stone.payed way separating the out.