Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-03-19
CHAPTER XI-Continued.

with the Dr1e1eSt anu HhoSI ioi iiSIA ~
mods. During the course Of the meal
though seated side by side, each lg'
nored the presence Of the other. sam
son was, perhaps, no more silent than
usual. Always, he was the listener
except when a question was put to MIN
direct, but the silence which sat upon
w,,fred Horton was a departure from
his ordinary custom.
He had discovered in his college
days that liquor, instead OF exhilarat'
ing him, was an influence under whicn
he grew morose and sullen, and tna'
discovery had made him almost total
abstainer. Tonight, his glass was con-
stantly filled and emptied, and, as ne
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ants had withdrawn, Horton with the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 MS
chair. and gazed insolently at the
Kentuckian.
Samson South still seemed entirely
unconscious Of the others existence
though in reality no detail OF the
brewing storm had escaped him. He
was studying the other faces around
the table, and what he saw in them
appeared to occupy him Wilfreo
Horizons cheeks were burning with a
dull flush, and his eyes were narrow
ing with an unveiled dislike. Sudden
ly, a silence fell on the party, and, al
the men sat putting their cigars, Hor-
ton turned toward the Kentuckian
For a moment he glared in silence
then with an impetuous exclamation
of disgust he announced:
"See here, South, I want you to
know that If I'd known you were to De
here, 1 wouldn't have come. 1t has
pleased me to express my opinion OF
YOU to a number Of people, and now
mean to express it 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
plotter said nothing, the glance was
subtle and expressive. 1t seemed tc
prompt and goad him on, as though
the man said:
You mustn't stand that. Go after
him."
II reckon"-Samson's voice was
pleasant drawl-"it doesn't make any
particular difference, Mr.. Horton.
Even if what I said didn't happer
to be particularly commendatory? IN
quiry Horton, his eyes narrowing.
80 long" replied the Kentuckian
las what you said was your own opin'
ion, 1 don't reckon it would interes
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 th'
belief that you are a damned savage
unfit for decent society"
Samson's face grew rigid and tri
fie pale. His mouth set itself In
straight line, but, as Wilfred Hortoi
came to his feet with the last words
the mountaineer remained seated.
And" went on the New Yorker
flushing with suddenly augmentint
passion, what I said I still believe t.
be true and repeat in your presence
At another time and place, I shall b.
even more explicit. I shall ask yo'
to explain-certain things"
"Mr. Horton" suggested Samson IL
an ominously quiet voice, II reckon
you're a little drunk. If I were you
I'd sit down."
Wilfred's face went from red t
white and his shoulders stiffened. H
leaned forward, and for the instan
no one moved. The tick of the clocl
was plainly audible.
South" he said, his breath cominl
in labored excitement, defend your
self"
Samson still sat motionless.
Against WHAT" he inquired.
Against that" Horton struck tn
mountain man across the face witt
his open hand. Instantly, there was
commotion of scraping chairs an
shutting feet, mingled with choru
Of inarticulate protest. Samson ha
risen, and, for a second, his face ha
become thing Of unspeakable pas
sion. His hand had instinctivel
swept toward his pocket-and stoppe
halfway. He stood by his overturn
ed chair, gazing into the eyes of hi
assailant, with an effort at self-mas
terry which gave his chest and arm
the appearance of man writhing an
stiffening under electrocution. Ther
he forced both hands to his back an
gripped them there. For moment
the tableau was held, then the ma
from the mountains began speaking
slowly and in a tone Of dead levt
monotony. Each syllable was portent
ously distinct and clear clipped.
Maybe you know why 1 don't XII
you Maybe you don't >. don
give a damn whether you do or no
That's the first blow I've eve
passed ain't going to hit bac
You need a friend pretty ba
Just now. . For certain reasons Tr
going to be that friend >. Don
you see that this thing is a damne
frame-up? =. . Don't you see that
was brought here to murder you?
He turned suddenly to Farbish.
why did you insist on my putin
that in my pocket ?"-Samson took ou
the pistol and threw it down on tn
table-cloth in front of Wilfred. wher
it struck and shivered a half-flle
wine -glass-"and why did you war
me that this man meant to kill me
was meant to be your catspaw to pr
Wilfred Horton out Of your way.
may be a barbarian and a savage. bu
/ can smell rat-if it's dead enough.
For an instant there was absolut
and hushed calm. Wilfred Horto
picked up the discarded weapon an
looked at il in bewildered stupefa(