The Green Forest tribune., 1915-02-19

ously: You will have to get him, or he will get you. Are you armed?'
 The Kentuckian laughed.
 T reckon I don't need to be armed amongst gentlemen"
 Farbish drew from his pocket a magazine pistol.
 "It 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 it into his pocket.
 MT. Farbish," he said, i've been in places before now where men were drinking who had made threats against me. I 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.
 Io ;p 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 When the coffee had been brought, and the cigars lighted and the serv- ants had withdrawn, Horton with the manner of one who had been awaiting an opportunity, turned slightly in his chair, and gazed insolently at the Ken tuckian.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 ap- | peared to occupy him. Wilfred Hor- tons 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 puff1ng 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, l want you to know that if I'd understood you were to be here, I wouldn't have come It 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. It seemed to prompt and goad him on, as though the man had said:
 You mustn't stand that. Go after him."
 T reckon"-Samson's voice was a pleasant drawl-"it doesn't make any particular difference, MT. Horton"
 Even if what said didn't happen to be particularly commendatory? in | unrton hic
 50 long," replied the Kentuckian "as what you said was your own opin ion, I don't reckon 1t would interest me much"
 Tn point of fact"-Horton was gag. 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"
 Samsons S face grew rigid and trifle line, but, as Wilfred Horton came to his feet with the last words, the noun | taineer remained seated.
 And" went on the New Yorker, l flushing with suddenly augmenting passion, what I said I still believe to be true and repeat in your presence. | At another time and place, shall be even more explicit. I shall ask you to explain-certain things"
 MT. Horton." suggested Samson in an ominously quiet voice, T reckon you're a little drunk If were you, | I'd sit down."
 Wilfreds 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 laboped 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