The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-10-23

TUG army. Anu luEOhlu6 Ou ulo cunt
as ready for a 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-
ceiVed a coddling from bis 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-
cerned 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 of that
deadly hold, and, aware that conscious
ness was gradually leaving him. his
efforts relaxed. After that. for an In
terval. he remembered nothing; but
with returning realization and 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.
| LNO1 IL HO JOhCI dA5NSACO VIC
mountebank, rapidly passing an end
; of the strap, binding the soldier. about
post Of the stall and securing 1t.
, sailor-wise. "A poor return for hos
pitality. yet needs must, when the
devil drives!" quickly selling hand
full of marsh grass from the ground
, and rubbing it over his face. ANY
7 how, you'll be none the worse on the
? morrow" stepping toward the lantern
while I--who can say? He laughs
best" About to blow out the flame
, he stopped, attracted by something his
foot had thrust aside; a garment; the
soldiers! A moment he surveyed 1t;
stopped; picked it up. Unless ! an
mistaken" casting aside his own coat
slipping on that Of the soldier. anC
} then donning the latter's cap, which
had fallen in the struggle, I'VE are
about of size. And this sword" un
fastening the belt from the prostratt
taller, should go with the coat" A
moment his words. tense. reckless
continued to vibrate in the soldier
ears, then: "I'll leave you the Ian
tern!" And darkness fell over thu
place.
Boldly, a little uncertainty, as thu
soldier had walked, the mountebank
now, to all appearance, a man OF tn
ranks in the service of his Excellency
the Governor. strode down the wide
stone-paved way separating the out
houses from the officers quarters, har'
against the ramparts. In the sky
dome the stars still shone, although {
small mottled patch of cloud obscure'
the moon; on either side no lights az
. peared in windows, and friendly shaC
! ows favored him, until he approache
at the end of the way the broad, ope
entrance between the soldiers bal
racks and the officers row. There, Sc
In stone above the key of the time
worn arch, flared a smoky lamp, dlml
revealing the surrounding details; bu
the young man did not stop; ha
drawn quite close to the medieve
structure, when Unexpectedly anothe
tread, on the soldiers side OF tn
} entrance, mingled with his own; ran
for a moment in unison; then Jingle
out of time. He who approache
came to a sudden standstill; cast
quick glance over his shoulder. onl
to be brought to an abrupt realizatio
that 1t was now too late to retreat.
black silhouette, suddenly precipitate
across the pavement, preceded a dar
figure that stepped quickly out an
barred the way, while at the sam
: time, a voice. loud and incisive. cha
lenged.
(To BE CoNTINUED)