The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-06-16
TheAmateur Gentleman
by Jeffrey Farnol

Then Mr.. Chichester sighed faint
ly, dropped his eyes to the muzzle
of the weapon so periouSly near
glanced back at the pale, set face
and unwinking eyes of him who
held it, and sighed again.
Dalton" said he, pray open the
door, and order the chaiSe," and
he laid the key upon the table.
First" said Barnabas, IT will re-
lieve you of that-encumbrance, 81
and he poinCed to the pistol yet
gripped in Mr.. Chichester's right
| hand.
Without a word, Mr.. Chichester
rose; and leaving the weapon upon
the table, turned and walked to the
window, while Mr.. Dalton, having
unlocked the door, hurried away to
the stable-yard, and was now heard
calling for the hostlers.
'Peterby," said Barnabas, "take
this thing and throw it into the
horse pond; yet, no, give it to the
gentleman who just went out"
Eyes, SIR said Peterby, and, TAX
ing up the pistol, he went out, clos
ing the door behind him.
Mr.. Chichester still lounged in
the window, and hummed softly to
himself; but as for Barnabas, he
sat rigid in his chair, staring blankly
at the opposite wall, his eyes wide,
his lips tense, and with a CLEAN Of
moisture amid the curls at his
temples.
So the one lounged and hummed,
and the other glared stonily before
him until came the grind of wheels
and the stamping of hoofs. Then
Mr.. Chichester took up his hat and
cane, and, humming still, crossed to
the door, and 1ounged out into the
yard.
.CAME a jingle of harness, a
~ sound of voices, the slam of a
door, and the chaise rolled away
down the lane, farther and farther,
until the rumble of it's wheels died
away IN the distance.
Then Barnebas laughed-a sudden
shrill laugh-and clenched his fists,
and strove against the laughter, and
choked, and so sank forward with
his face upon his arms as one that
is very weary. Now, presently, as he
sat thus, it seemed to him that one
spoke long way off, whereupon, in
a little, he raised his head, and be-
held Clemency.
"You-are not hurt?" she inquired
anxiouSly.
"Hurt?" said Barnabas, mo, not
hurt, Mistress Clemency, not hurt,
I thank you; but I think I have
grown a-great deal-older.''
Il saw it all, through the window,
and yet don't know why you are
alive"
Il thing because I was so very
much-afraid," said Barnabas.
Sir" said she, with her brown
hands clasped together, was it for
If it was for-my sake that YOU
Quarrelled, and"
mo-" said Barnabas, "it was be-
cause of-another."
Now, when he said this, Clemency
stared at him wide-eyed, and, all in
a moment, flushed painfully and
turned away, so that Barnabas Won
dered.
"Good-by!" said she, suddenly, and
crossed to the door, but upon the
threshold paused; II did pray for
you," she said, over her shoulder.
"Ah!" said Barnabas, rising, you
prayed for me, and behold, I am
alive"
Goodbye" she repeated, her face
still avreted.
"Good-by!' said Barnabas, "and
will you remember me in your pray
ers-sometimes?"
MY prayers! Why?"
Because the prayers of a sweet,
pure woman may come between man
and evil-like shield"
II WILL" said she, very softly.
ooh, I WILL" and so, with a swift
glance, was gone.
Being come out Of the inn, Barna-
has met with his valet, John Peterby.
Sir" he inquired, what now?"
ITO 70 rnufiuY1odl