The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-04-14

know what those two parauueets are
up to. One of them is the father of
that girl. They've been spying on the
lovers, and now they're going to cor
ner the young fellow and shingle him
for his nerve"
The girl had stood for a moment.
gazing after her companion, before she
turned with her handkerchief to her
eyes, and continued on her way to the
cathedral. Webster heard her sob
bing as she stumbled blindly by, and
he was distressed about her, for all
the world >loves lover and John
Stuart Webster was no exception to
this universal rule.
by George, this Is pretty tough"
he reflected. THAT young fellow
treated that girl with as much gentle
ness and courtesy as any gentleman
should, and I'm for him and against
this idea of corporal punishment.
Don't you worry, Tillie, my dear. I'm
going to horn into this game myself
If it goes too far"
The two dusky skulkers ahead NJ
him, having come to another cross
the main path In the rear Of the young
man. Webster noticed that the pair
were still walking on the grass. He
padded gently along behind them.
The four were now rapidly ap-
preaching the old French market, and
the steadily rising babel Of voices
speaking In French, Italian, Spanish,
Creole patois and Choctaw, was SUM-
cient to have drowned the slight noise
of the pursuit, even had the young
mans mind not been upon other
things. and the interest of the two
Central Americans centered upon their
quarry, to the exclusion Of any thought
OF possible interruption.
Webster felt instinctiveIy that the
two men would rush and make a con-
certed attack from the rear. He
smiled.
"Tll just fool you two hombres
whole lot" he thought. and stopping,
picked up n small stone. On the in
slant the two men, having approached
within thirty feet Of their quarry,
made rush for him.
Their charge was swift. but though
1t was, the little stone which John
Stuart Webster hurled was swifter. II
struck the young man fairly between
the shoulderblades with q force suffi.
cient to bring him out Of his senti-
mental reverie with a Jerk, as it were.
He whirled, saw the danger that
threatened him, and-Sprang to meet
1t.
"BravO" yelled Webster, and ran to
his aid, for he had seen now that 1t
was to be knife work. Tragedy in
stead of melodrama.
The man with the puckered eve
closed in with such eagerness it was
apparent to Webster that here was
work to his liking. The young man
raised his light cane. but Pucker-eye
did not hesitate. He merely threw up
his left forearm to meet the expected
blow aimed at his head. lunged for
ward and .slashed viciOusly at the
young mans abdomen. The latter
drew back Il step, doubled like a Jack
knife, AMI brought his cane down
vici"::s'., across the knuckles of his
asSailanl'S r!ght hand.
$50 II is thou. son OF pig" he
caEId pleasantly in Spanish. 4 fool.
ed you that time, didn't II" he added
In English. Thought would aim
for your head didn't you?"
The blow temporarily paralyzed the
assassin's hand; he dropped the knife,
and ms he stopped to recover 1t with
his left hand. the young man, before
retreating from Pop-eye, kicked Puck
er-eye In the face and quite upset him.
stop itl" shouted Webster.
Pop-eye turned his head at the out
cry, The man he was attacking fell
Into the position of swordsman en-
garde. and thrust viciously with the
ferrule at the face Of the pop-eyed man.
who. disregarding Webster's approach.
seized the cane in his left hand and
with Il quick, powerful! ting actually
drew his victim toward him foot be-
fore the latter let go the stick.
Before he could give ground again
Pop-eye was upon him. He grasped
the young man by the latters left
arm and held him. while he drew back
for the awful disembowiling stroke.
AS his long arm sped forward the hook
Of John Stuart Webster's heavy cane
descended upon that f1exed arm In the
crook Of the elbow, snagging 1t
cleverly.
The knife never reached its destina-
tion!