Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-11-04
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M ROBERT W CHAMBERS
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| attention to the justice of his case.
His two cases-each, TO him, a
cause celebre; the matter OF Har-
rod: the affair If Quintana.
MANY a time he had pleaded these
two causes before the Most High.
But nov his thoughts were chief
lv concerned with Eve-with the
problem of her future-his mater
passion-this daughter of the dead
wife he had loved.
He sighed unconsciously; halted.
well, Lord" he concluded, IN
his wordless way. my grille mas
gotta have a chance if L gotta go TO
he'll for it. That's sure as shootin'
Amen"
At that instant he saw Quintana.
Recognition was instant and mu-
tuaL. Neither man stirred. Quin-
tana was standing beside a giant
hemlock. His pack lay at his feet.
Clinch had halted-always the
mechanics!-close to a great ron
wood tree.
Probably both men knew that
they could cover themselves before
the other moved a muscle. Clinch's
small, light eyes were blazing;
Quintana's black eyes had become
two Sits.
Finally: "You-dirty-skunk,"
drawled Clinch in his a~greeably
misleading voice. I got you now"
"Ah-h," said Quintana, "thees
has happen ver' nice like L expec'.
. Always 1 say myself. yet a
little patience. Jose, an one day
you shall meet thees fellow Clinch,
who has rob you. l am yer
thankful to the good God"
He had made the slightest of
movements; instantly both men
were behind their trees. Clinch, IN
the ferocious pride of woodcraft,
laughed exultingly-flled the dim
and spectral forest with his roar OF
laughter.
"Quintana," he called out, you're
a-going to cash in. Savvy? You're
a-going to hop off. An first you
gotta hear why. 'Tain't for the
you hooked it off'n me; now l got it
faint that grudge, you green-liv-
cred whelp of a cross-bred. still
born slut! No. It's becuz you laid
the heft O. your dirty little finger
onto my grille. M now you gotta
hop"
Quintana's sinister laughter was
his retort. Then: you damfool
Clinch," he said, ~ got in my
pocket what you rob of me. Now
[ kill you, and then I feel YER well.
I go home, live like some kings:
yes. But you" he sneered, you
shall not go home eve no more.
No. You shall remain in these
damn wood like YER dead old rat
that is all wOrmy. He! | got
a million dollaire-five million franc
in my pocket. You shall learn what
it cost to rob Jose Quintana! I'm
d~erstan'?"
you liar" said Clinch contemp-
tuously. 81 got them jools in my
pants pocket"
Quintana's derisive laugh cut him
short: ct give you thee Flaming
Jewel if you show me you got my
gems in you pants pocket"
"IIl show you. Lay down your
rifle SOS I see the stock"
"Ffrst you, my frien' Nike" said
Ouintana cautiously.
Clinch took his rifle by the muzzle
and showed the stock into view SO
that Quintana could see it without
moving.
To his surprise. Quintana did the
same, then coolly stepped a pace
outside the shelter of his hemlock
stump.
"You show me now" he called
across the swamp.
Clinch stepped into view, dug into
his pocket, and, cupping both hands
displayed a g%littering heap Of gems.
st wanted you should know who's
gottem," he said, before you hop.
It'll give you something to think
over in hell"
Quintana's eyes had become Sits
again. Neither man stirred. Then:
80 you are buzzard, Ell, Clinch?
You feed on dead mans pockets.
Ell? You find Sard somewhere an
you feed" He held up the morocco
case, emblazoned with the arms of
the Grand Duchess of Esthonia,
and shook it at Clinch.
I'm there is my share. Not
all. Yer quick, now, I take yours.
too"
Clinch vanished and so did his
rifle; and Quintana's first bullet
struck the moss where the stock
had rested.
"You black crow" jeered Clinch
laughing, Il need that empty case
CT yours. And I'm going after it