Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1916-02-04
CHAPTER XIV.

uackley, because ne never wore SOCKS
and his bare ankles we're tanned to
the hue of river-bank mud.
His features were wiZened and his
eyes shifty. He was a coward and
an intriguer by nature and inclina-
ton. II was logical enough that when
Bad Anse Havey was nuisance fl.
tered down the line the persons seek
ing native methods for abating the
nuisance should come to Clayheel
Hackley.
One day in August this attorney at
law, together with Jim Fletcher and
tricky youth who enjoyed the distinc-
ton Of holding office as telegraph op.
orator at the Peril station, caucused
together in Hackley's dingy room.
In the death of Bad Anse Havey this
=. .-.is-ssa-s~;:s advantage, since the
abating of such nuisance would not
60 unrewarded.
Gentlemen" said the attorney, his
wizened face working nervously, this
Gentlemen-it requires, in its nature,
to be expeditions. A few more fail
ures and we are done for
well, tell us how we aims ter do
hit" growled the telegraph operator.
Jim Fletcher has the idea," replied
the lawyer impressively Quite the
right idea. How many men can you
trust on a job like this, JIM"
"As many as ye needs" was the con-
fident response. "A dozen or score
IL they're wanted"
Enough to make 1t sure, but not
too many" urged Hackley. I'VE
should set q day precisely as the court
would set a day for-er-an execu-
tion. The force you send out should
simply stay on the job until it's done.
II Anse Havey can be got alone, SO
much the better. But above all"
The lawyer paused and spoke with
his most forceful emphasis: Don't
Just wound this man. See that the
thing is finally and definitely settled"
'Ill be there myself" Jim Fletcher
assured him. Now when is this day
goin' ter be-"
"This Is Monday" reflected the at.
torney There is no advantage in
delay. 1t will take day or two to get
ready. Let the case be docketed. as
might say-for Thursday"
Anse Havey had gone to Lexington.
Never again did he mean to hold
against himself the accusation Of 1.-The
unlit lamp and the ungirt loin." He
knew that she loved him.
In Lexington he had bought a ring
and at Peril he had got marriage IL
cense. His camp-following days were
over. He had one youth, and he knew
that II his enemies succeeded In
their designs that might at any mo-
ment be snapped short with sudden
death. 1t did not seem to him that one
OF Its golden hours should be wasted
As he came out Of the courthouse
with the invaluable piece Of paper In
his pocket two men. seemingly un'
armed rose from the doorway>o Of the
store across the street and drifted to.
ward their hitched horses.
Young Milt McBriar had ridden over
to Peril that day with several compan'
ions, and Anse Havey went back With
them. So 1t happened that quite acct
dentally he made this journey under
escort. The men who rode little way
In his rear cursed their auckland
waited. And. though they lurked in
hiding all that afternoon near Anse
Havey's house. they saw nothing more
oP their intended victim.
Anse was keenly alive to each days
impending threat. and when he
recognised the face Of Jim Fletcher In
Peril, as he came through. he had read
mischief in the eyes and recognized
that the menace had drawn closer,
y 30, when he was ready to cross the
Sridge to the school. he obeyed an old
= sense Of caution and left his horse
Z saddled at the front fence that II
might seem as II he were going out
but had not yet gone.
He had sent q messenger for Good
Anse Talbot. and the preacher arrived
while he was at his supper.
Brother Anse," he said. I'm goin'
10 need ye some time betwixt now and
midnight. l want ye to tarry here TIL
come back"
whats the nature Of business 70
needs me fer, Anse?" demanded the
missionary. Il hadn't hardly ought
ter wait. Thar's q child ailin up the
top fork Of little fork Of Turkey-Foot
creek"
pur Bad Anse only shook nis mead.
IT'S the best business 70 ever did.
be confidently assured the preacher
But ! can't tell 20 yet. 10 the child
IN any dangers"
II reckon not; hits Jest silin'
but"
The brown-faced man sat obviously
shaking his head. and Anse's features
suddsnly set and hardened.
Il needs ye." he said. Amt tina,
enough I'm goin' to need ~ bad"
That's right strong reason. AnsS