Judsonia weekly advance., 1921-07-28

| at the instigation of the girl next deor She, poor little fool, is con cerned over that drunkea waster-her l father. She asked you to> help her l you agreed, and amazing though it may seem, up to now you have scored | a certain measure of success. 1 ad- 1 init 1t, and l admire you for it. apologize now for having played the | fool with you last night; you're the type of man whom one should kill out right-or leave alone"
 l He set down his coffee cup and care l fully shipped the end off a cigar.
 You are also the type of man who will continue on the path he has start l ed. You are completely in the dark; you have no idea whatever what you are up against" He smiled grimly, and turned abruptly on Hugh. You fool-you stupid young fool. Do you really imagine that you can beat me?"
 The soldier rose and stood in front of him.
 T have few remarks of my own to I make he answered, and then we might consider the interview closed. I ask nothing better than that the gloves should be of--though with your filthy methods of fighting, anything you touch will get very dirty. As you say, am completely in the dark as to your plans; but have pretty shrewd idea what I'm up against. Men who can employ thumbscrew on a poor defenseless brute seem to me to be several degrees worse than an aborigi- nal cannibal, and therefore if I put you down as one of the lowest types of degraded criminal I shall not be very wide of the mark. There's no good you snarling at me, you swine; It does everybody good to hear some home truths-and don't forget it was you who pulled off the gloves"
 Drummond lit cigarette; then his merciless eyes fixed themselves again on Peterson.
 '"There is only one thing more," he continued. You have kindly warned me of my danger; let me give you a word of advice in my turn. I'm going to fight you; if I can, I'm going to beat you. Anything that may happen to me is part of the game But if anything happens to Miss Benton dur ing the course of operations, then, as surely as there is God above, Peter son, I'll get at you somehow and mur- der you with my own hands,"
 For few moments there was si- lence, and then with a short laugh Drummond turned away. Shall we meet again soon?" He paused at the door and looked back.
 Peterson was still standing by the table, his face expressionless. "Very soon, indeed, young man." he said quietly. ''Very soon indeed. :"
 Hugh stepped out into the warm sunshine and spoke to his chauffeur.
 ''Take her out into the main road, Jenkins," he said, "and wait for me outside the entrance to the next house. I shan't be long,"
 Then he strolled through the gar den toward the little wicket-gate | that led to The Larehes. Phyllis The thought of her was singing in his
 
 else. Just a few minutes with her; just the touch of her hand, the faint smell of the scent she used-and then back to the game.
 He had almost reached the gate. when, with a sudden crashing in the undergrowth, Jem Smith blundered out into the path. His naturally ruddy c., l. fearfully.
 "Gawd sir" he cried, mind out. Ave yer seen it?"
 "Seen what, JemT asked Drum mond.
 "That there brute. 'E's escaped: left the sentence unfinished, and stood listening From somewhere behind the house came a deep throated, snarllng roar; then the clang of a paddock shooting home in metal, followed by a series of heavy thuds as if some big animal was hurl- ing itself against the bars of a cage.
 "They've got it." muttered Jem
 You seem to have a nice little crowd of pets about the house." re- marked Drummond, putting a hand on the mans arm as he was about to move off. What was that docile creature we've just heard calling to its young?"s
 The ex-pugilist looked at him sul- lenly.
 Never you mind, sir; it ain't no business of yours. An if I was you, I wouldn't make 1t your business to find out"
 A moment later he had disappeared into the bushes, and Drummond was left alone. Assuredly a cheerful household, he reflected; just the spot for a rest-cure. Then he saw figure on the lawn of the next house which banished everything else from his mind and opening the gate, he walked eagerly toward Phyllis Benton.