“You threaten, do you? Do you happen to know the character of the woman you seek to shield and protect? Shall I tell you a little of her history? It will greatly interest you, I dare say. Listen——”
“Get you away, and give me no more of your impudence,” exclaimed Gatliffe.
Alf Purvis indulged in a low mocking laugh, which so exasperated his adversary that he raised his fist and gave him a heavy blow on the chest, sending him reeling back several paces.
When he had recovered from this first assault, Purvis rushed at Gatliffe and struck him in the face. The latter closed with his younger opponent, and a struggle ensued, which was, however, but of short duration, for Purvis was no match for the powerful and athletic engineer, who threw him violently to the earth, and when he rose again stood on the defensive.
But by this time Alf had had enough. He stood scowling and swearing at a respectful distance.
“Come dear,” said Laura Stanbridge, “Let there be an end to this. I am sorry to have been the occasion of this scene of violence.”
“You sorry!” exclaimed Purvis, “Have you any feeling? You care as little about him as I do about you. I am sure a worthless creature like you is hardly worth quarrelling about.”
Tom Gatliffe and his female companion walked on, followed by their tormentor, who was bent upon mischief.
He gave expression to a series of taunts and degrading observations, but now that the first outburst of passion was over Gatliffe had no desire to recommence hostilities. Nevertheless he was greatly annoyed at the pertinacity of Purvis, who continued to aggravate Laura Stanbridge in a manner which soon became insupportable.
“You had better discontinue those impertinent remarks. Go your ways. We neither of us have any desire to listen to your impertinence,” said Gatliffe.