Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-01-30
CHAPTER XVII.
The Last Warninu.

The Last Warning.
In the chill, violet-shadowed dusl
or that clear evening, chapfalleI
motor car crept sluggishly into thu
little mountain town of Mesquite al
the heels Of two mutinous mules, driv
en- by a chauffeur who steered with
one hand while the other flourished
cracking whip-lash over the backs
or its sole motive power.
us one passenger, a cripple as help.
less az the car itself, huddled in a
corner of the rear seat, saluted Mes.
quite with a snarl Though he was in
sore need Of such rude comfozs as
the town stood prepared to afford him,
MS demeanor toward it was that of
one who suffers an indignity rather
than begs accommodation.
ana now, as the car crawled to a
pause before the Mountain house
mosquitoes one caravanserai-and
Mesquite itself, to the last fea-bitten
mound. gathered round to view this
wonder. Mr.. Trine's indignation and
chagrin distilled words of poisonous
Import.
far from resenting this. Mesquite.
pipe In mouth, hands in pockets adj
Hired and applauded, and rather re-
scented the change that befen when
two other strangers (whose earlier an
pearahce In town had helped make
that one day memorable beyond all
others in Mosquitoes history charged
out or the Mountain house and inter-
rupted the elder devil with cries of
greeting and jubilation.
The leader of these answered In the
name OF Marrophat; his Communion
was a person named Jimmy. Mes
quite acquired this Information
through paying close attention to the |
substance OF their communications
with the cripple. More than this. how
ever, 1t learned little. Something
seemed to have been accomplished by |
the TWO, something that was highly
gratifying to Seneca Urine: for he was
chuckling almost mirthfully when
urted from the car and carried into
the hotel
what passed between the trio after
tney disappeared behind that bed
chamber door Mesquite could by no
means guess. But that a celebration
OF some sort was in progress was evil
uenced by the frequency with which
Marrophat and Jimmy called on the
par FOR more liquid refreshment.
AND toward midnight one belated
mesquite paused in the street outside
the Mountain house for one last curl.
GUS stare at the lighted windows of
Mr.. Trine's quarters.
He saw, clearly silhouetted against
Che glowing oblong of the window the
Mephfstophelean profile of Seneca
lrine' distorted with grimace of the
cruelest Joy that ever heart of man
conceived. He saw Marrophat an
proach his master with a drunken ,
swagger and a speech which, though
lhulstingulshable to the unseen an. .
oltor, unquestionably afforded both OF ,
the other men ample excuse for ec. |
static glee. Toward its conclusion ,
Mr.. Marrophat apparently capped the :
peak OF tubilation by fumbling in his
coat pocket and bringing forth some
tning which strongly resembled a sim
gle playing card /.
NOW when he had oontriyed IN =
master his mirth. the cripple made a :
gesture which eloquently abolished :
'nis caro- a gesture which said quite $
plainly: "All that is finished. The :,
'hing has served its purpose. To a
hell with it,"
wharo,n q
Whereupon, with smart Jerk of bis
wrist, Mr. Marrophat sent the card y
spinning and sailing out through tte Y,
'pen window to lose itself in the NIGHT >,
The watcher didn't see II fall ond
nougn ne spent an unconscionable
line searching for it in the deep dust -,
u tne roadway, he went his way in the y,
'hd WIN curiosity unsated: Fate had -
eserved that card for higher mr.. ~
lose. pun &C
ohdisturbed. II lay where n had :.
allen, face upward, not a dozen foo, ~,
rom the front door of the Mopntatn ~
fesquite. on en-
men. In the clear light OF that dawn
our more strangers struggled tnto o.,
o"n-two weary and haggard men -,
wo footsore and bedraggled women -
me OF these last was dressed IN -
uit OF mans clothing. much the worse Al
,r wear. "
AT sight OF the Mountain house the
arty betrayed slight symptoms of a so,
lore cheerful spirit: rejoicing in its va
romise Of food and drinks and beds ~,
ithal wherein to sleep. the four 60
uickened their steps. IN.