Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-02-04

that Horton would not listen to his
condolences. The delegated spokes-
man warned Wilfred that Samson
South had spoken pointedly of him,
and advised cautious conduct. in a
fashion calculated to inflame. !.
Samson, it was falsely alleged, had
accused him of saying derogatory
things in his absence, which he would
hardly venture to repeat in his pres
ence. In short, it was put to Horton
to announce his opinion openly. or eat
the crow of cowardice.
That evening, when Samson went
to his room, Farbish Joined him.
I've been greatly annoyed to find"
he said, seating himself on Samson's
bed, that Horton arrived today
81 reckon that's all right" said Sam
son. Hes member isn't he?'
Farbish appeared dubious
Il don't want to appear in the guise
of prophet of trouble he said, 'but
you are my guest here, and ! must
warn you. Horton thinks OF you as a
'gun-fghter and a dangerous man.
| He won't takes chances with you.
If there is clash. il will be serious.
He doesn't often drink, but today
he's doing il, and may be ugly Avoid
an alteration If you can, but if it
comes" He broke off and added seri-
ously: You will have to get him. or
| he will get you. Are you armed?
The Kentuckian laughed
Il reckon don't need to be armed
| amongst gentlemen"
Farbish drew from his pocket a
magazine pistol.
1t won't hurt you to slip that into
your Clothes" he insisted.
For an instant, the mountaineer
stood looking at his host and with eyes
that bored deep, but whatever was in
his mind as he made that scrutiny
he kept to himself. At last, he took
the magazine pistol, turned it over in
his hand, and put 1t into his pocket.
Mr. Farbish," he said. I've been in
places before now where men were
drinking who had made threats against
me- | think you are excited about
this thing. If anything starts, he will
start it,"
At the dinner table, Samson South
| and Wilfred Horton were introduced.
and acknowledged their introductions
with the briefest and most formal
mods. During the course of the meal,
though seated side by side, each ig-
nored the presence OF the other. Sam
son was, perhaps, no more silent than
usual Always, he was the listener ex-
cept when a question was put to him
| direct, but the silence which sat upon
Wilfred Horton was departure from
his ordinary custom.
He had discovered in his college
| days that liquor, instead of eXhilarat-
ing him, was an influence under which
he grew morose and sullen, and that
discovery had made him almost total
abstainer. Tonight his glass was con-
stantly filled and emptied, and, as he
ate, he gazed ahead, and thought re-
sentfully of the man at his side.
When the coffee had been brought,
and the cigars lighted, and the serv-
| ants had withdrawn, Horton with the
manner of one who had been awaiting
an opportunity, turned slightly in his
chair, and gazed insolently at the Ken
tuckian.
Samson South still seemed entirely
unconscious of the others existence
though in reality no detail of the brew
ing storm had escaped him. He was
studying the other faces around the
table, and what he saw in them ap-
peared to occupy him. Wilfred Hor-
tons cheeks were burning with dull
flush, and his eyes were narrowing
with an unveiled dislike. Suddenly,
silence fell on the party, and, as
the men sat putting their cigars, Horton
turned toward the Kentuckian For a
moment he glared in silence, then
with an impetuous exclamation of dis
gust he announced:
See here, South, want you to know
that if I'd understood you were to be
here, | wouldn't have come. 1t has
pleased me to express my opinion Of
you to number of people, and now
mean to express 1t. to you in person.
Samson looked around, and his feat
ures indicated neither surprise nor in
terest He caught Farbish's eye al
the same instant, and, though the plot
ter said nothing, the glance was subtle
and expressive. II seemed to prompt
and goad him on, as though the mar
had said:
You mustn't stand that Go after
him"
Il reckon"-Samson's voice was q
pleasant drawl--'it doesn't make any
particular difference, Mr.. Horton"
Even IL what l said didn't happen
to be particularly commendatory? in
quired Horton, his eyes narrowing.
so long" replied the Kentuckian
"as what you said was your own opin
ion, l don't reckon 1t would interest
me much"
In point of fact"-Horton was gaz
ing with steady hostility into Sam
sons eyes-'I prefer to tell you.
have rather generally expressed the
belief that you are damned savage
unfit for decent society"
Samson's face grew rigid and tribe
pale. His mouth set itself in straight
line, but. as Wilfred Horton came tc
his feet with the last words. the noun
taineer remained seated.
And" went on the New Yorker
flushing with suddenly augmentine
passion, what / said ] still believe t.