The Spectator., 1916-01-11
His features were wizened and his

| His features were wizened and his eyes shifty. He was coward and an intriguer by nature and inclina- tion. It was logical enough that when the verdict of the directors table that Bad Anse Havey was a nuisance fil- tered down the line the persons seek ing native methods for abating the nuisance should come to Clayhees | Hackley.
 One day in August this attorney at law. together with Jim Fletcher and tricky youth who enjoyed the distinc- tion 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 trio saw a joint advantage. since the abating of such nuisance would not go unrewarded.
 Gentlemen" said the attorney, his wizened face working nervously, this business has need to be expeditions. Gentlemen-it requires. in its nature. to be expeditions. A few more fail ures and we are done for ! Well tell us how ye 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- 1 fident response. "A dozen or score if they're wanted"
 Enough to make it sure. but not too many" urged Hackley. We should set 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. If 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"
 'I'll be there myself" Jim Fletcher assured him. Now when is this day gon' ter be-"
 This is Monday" reflected the at torney. There is no advantage in delay. It will take day or two to get ready Let the case be docketed as ! might say-for Thursday" |
 Anse Havey had gone to Lexington. 1 Never again did he mean to hold against himself the accusation of the unlit lamp and the ungirt loin.' He knew that she loved him
 In Lexington he had bought ring and at Peril he had got marriage li- | foll over. He had one youth, and he knew that if his enemies succeeded in their designs that might at any mo- ment be snapped short with sudden | death. It did not seem to him that one of it's 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 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 it happened that quite acci- l dentally he made this journey under l escort The men who rode little way l in his rear cursed their luck-and waited And, though they lurked in hiding all that afternoon near Anse Havey's house, they saw nothing more of their intended victim. 1 Anse was keenly alive to each days l impending threat, and when he recognized the face of Jim Fletcher in l Peril, as he came through, he had read mischief in the eyes and recognized l that the menace had drawn closer. So when he was ready to cross the ridge to the school, he obeyed an old | sense of caution and left his horse saddled at the front fence that 1t might seem as if he were going out | but had not yet gone
 He had sent a messenger for Good Anse Talbot and the preacher arrived while he was at his supper.
 Brother Anse," he said, I'm goin' to need ye some time betwixt now and midnight. I want ye to tarry here till come back"
 Whats the nature of business ye needs me fer, Anse?" demanded the missionary q hadn't hardly ought ter wait Thar's a child ailin' up the I; top fork of little fork of Turkey-Foot creek"
 But Bad Anse only shook his head. Its the best business ye ever did" he confidently assured the preacher. But I cant tell ye yet Is the child in any danger?"
 ''I reckon not; hits jest ailin' | but"
 The brown-faced man sat dubiously shaking his head, and Anses features suddenly set and hardened.
 'I needs ye." he said. 'Aint that enough? I'm goin' to need ye bad"
 That's a right strong reason. Anse, | but"
 For an instant the old dominating will which had not yet learned to brook mutiny leaped into Anse Havey's eyes. His words came in l T..