Tombstone epitaph., 1917-03-04

TIE features Sof0 WlZeneO anu uIS eyes shifty. He was . coward and an intriguer by nature and inclina. ton. It was logical enough that when the verdict of the directors table that Bad Anse Havey was a nuisance hl. tered down the line the persons seek. ing native methods for abatins the nuisance should come to Clayheei Hackley.
 One day in August this attorney at law. together with Jim Fletcher and a tricky youth who enjoyed the distinc- ton of holding office as telegraph op- orator at the Peril station. caucused together in Hackley's d!ngy room.
 In the death of Bad Anse Havey this trio saw a joint advantage. since the abating of such a nuisance would not go unrewarded.
 Gentlemen" said the attorney, his wizened face working neryously. 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 rigkt idea. How many men can you trust on job like this. Jim?"
 rAs many as ye needs" was the con f4nt response. "A dozen or a score if they're wanted"
 Enough to make 1t 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 goin' 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. 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 a ring and at Peril he had got a marriage Ii. cense. His camp-following days were 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 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 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-
 
 escort The men who rode little way 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.
 Anse was keenly alive to each days impending threat, and when he recognized the face of Jim Fletcher in Peril, as he came through. he had read mischief in the e-os and recognized 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 saddied 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 1 come back"
 Whats the nature of business ye ! needs me fer, Anse?" demanded the missionary q hadn't hardly ought I ter wait Thar's a child ailin' up the top fork of little fork of Turkey-Foot creek"
 But Bad Anse only shook his head. It's the best business ye ever did" he confidently assured the preacher. But 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 Anse's features suddenly set and hardened.
 'T needs ye." he said. 'Ain't that enough? I'm goin' to need ye bad"
 That's 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 Q harsher voice:
 Will you stay of your own free | will because I'm goin' to need ye. Brother Anse?" he demanded. Be cause, by God. ye're goin' to stay-ons way or another"
 Does ye mean ye aims ter hold me hyar by force?" .sNcot unIesa va make ma wouldn't