The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-09-29
The Amateur Gentleman
by jeffrey farnol

Il Is to be your life or mine, /. very
naturally. prefer that 1t shall be
yours. Also you threatened to
hound me from the clubs-well. sir.
had 1 not the good fortune to meet
you tonight. I had planned to make
you the scorn and laughing-stock
OF town. and TO drive you from Lon
don like the imposter you are. 1t
was an excellent plan, and am
sorry 10 forego 1t. but necessity
knows no law. and so tonight 1
mean 10 rid myself Of the obstacle.
and sweep it away altogether"
AS he ended. Mr.. Chichester
smiled. sighed, and cooked his pis-
tol. But. even as it clicked. a figure
rose up from behind the rotting
wherry and. as Mr. Chichester
leaned toward Barnabas. smiling
stin but with eyes of deadly menace.
a hand. pale and claw-like in the
half-light, fell and clenched itself
upon his shoulder.
At the touch Mr.. Chichester
started and. uttering an exclama-
ton, turned savagely; then Barna-
bas struggled to his knees, and pin
uing his wrist with one hand, twist
ed the pistol from his grasp with the
other and, as Mr.. Chichester sprang
TO his feet, faced him, still upon his
knees, but with levelled weapon.
Don't shoot!" cried a voice.
"Shoot?" repeated Barnabas. and
got unsteadily upon his leg. Shoot
no, my hands are bestl" and,
flinging the pistol far out into the
river. he approached Mr.. Chichester,
staggering a little, but with fists
clenched.
Sir" cried the voice again, "oh,
young sir, what would you do?"
Kill himl" said Barnabas.
mo. no-leave him to Gods JUS
tice. God will requite him-let him
go"
mol" said Barnabas, shaking his
head. But, as he pressed forward
intent on his purpose, restraining
hands were upon his arm, and the
voice pleaded in his ear:
God is a just God, young sir
let the man go-leave him to the
Almighty"
A ND the hands upon his arms
N shook him with passionate en-
treaty. Therefore Barnabas paused
and. bowling his head, clasped his
throbbing temples between his
palms and so, stood awhile. When
he looked I'D again, Mr.. Chichester
was gone. and the Apostle of Peace
stood before him, his silver hair shin
ing. his pale face uplifted toward
heaven.
Il owe you-my lifel" said Barna-
bas.
You are alive. young sir, which is
good. and your hands are not
stained with a villains blood, which
is much better. But, as for me
God pity me!tI came here tonight,
meaning to be a self-murderer--oh,
God forgive mel"
But you-aSked fora sign, ]
think" said Barnabas, land you
live also. And to night your pill
grimage ends, in Clemency's loving
arms"
"Clemency My daughter? Oh,
sir-young sir, how may that be?
They tell me she is dead"
"Liesl" said Barnabas, lies! 1
spoke with her tonight" The Apos-
tie of Peace stood a while with
bowed head; when at least he looked
I'D. his cheeks were wet with tears.
Then, sir" said he, take me to
her. Yet stayl You are hurt. and,
if in my dark hour I doubted GODS
mercy, I would not be selfish in my
happiness"
'Happinessl" said Barnabas,
"yes-every one seems happy-but
me-"
You are hurt, young sir. Stoop
your head and let me see."
NO" sighed Barnabas, I'm well
enough. Come, let me take you to
Clemency."
So. without more ado, they left
that dreary place. and walked on
together side by side and very silent
Barnabas with dropping head, and
his companion with eyes uplifted
and ever-moving lips.
Ito Be COntinued)