Mexico Missouri message., 1915-01-28

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. l 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 a 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ants had withdrawn, Horton with the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 semed 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 APP
peared to occupy him. Wilfred Hor-
toms cheeks were burning with dull
flush, and his eyes were narrowing
with an unveiled dislike. Suddenly,
a silence fell on the party, and, as
the men sat putting their cigars, Horton
turned toward the Kentuckian. For
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 we're to be
here, l 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 at
the same instant, and, though the plot
ter said nothing, the glance was subtle
and expressive. 1t seemed to prompt
and goad him on, as though the man
had said:
You mustn't stand that. Go after
him."
Il reckon"-Samson's voice was
pleasant drawl-"it doesn't make any
particular difference, Mr.. Horton"
Even if what l said didn't happen
to be particularly commendatory?" in
quired Horton, his eyes narrowing.
80 long" replied the Kentuckian,
"as what you said was your own opin-
ion, l don't reckon it would interest
| me much"
I'm 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 trifie
pale. His mouth set itself in a straight
line, but, as Wilfred Horton came to
his feet with the last words, the noun
taineer remained seated.
And" went on the New Yorker,
| flushing with suddenly augmenting
passion, what said l still believe to
be true and repeat in your presence.
At another time and place, shall be
even more explicit. l shall ask you to
explain-certain things"
"Mr. Horton" suggested Samson in
an ominously quiet voice, Il reckon
you're little drunk If 1 were you,
I'd sit down"
Wilfred's face went from red to
white, and his shoulders stiffened. He
leaned forward, and for the instant
no one moved. The tick of the clock
was plainly audible.
South" he said, his breath coming
in labored- excitement. defend your
self"
Samson still sat motionless.
Against what?" he inquired.
against that!" Horton struck the
mountain man across the face with
his open hand. Instantly, there was a
commotion of scraping chairs and
shutting feet, mingled with chorus
of inarticulate protest. Samson had
risen, and, for a second, his face had