The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-11-07
An Actors Story.
Related by JOHN COLEMAN.
CONTINUED
CONTINUED. }
CHAPTER ".
THE WHITE FEATHER.

blidled Deempster's horse. linen they s'ic
down and began to smoke their pipes
What could it all meant
Half an hour later Mac Allister appeared
at the door, and spoke in an undertone TO
Deempster who gave further orders to The
postilons, and then turning to his rival
sail in a curt, insolent manner: hi! you,
sir, step this way, and look alive ABOUT lti
Curly paused moment, as who should
say, Gam | man or dog. to he thus
spoken to. But after all, it is for her sake,
for hersi Ani al he entered the room. To
his astonish neat she was not there. lhd
door clo-e ed after him with bang, and he
found himself entrapped. He was con-
frontel on the one hand by MacAlliste", on
the other by Dcemrster, both desperate
men, with loaded pistols in their hands. Hu
was prisoner, alone urarmed, def.nseie:s!
There was "A moments pause then Mac.
AIlister handed to Deampster a sheet OF
paper, ON Which II few lines were hastily
scrawled
''WiIl it dof he inquired
Eyes, responded the other
"Now you sir" said MacAlIi,ter, listen
to what am about to say, and do1t inter-
rupt me. Fifty years ago if fellow like
yUu-"
Fellow me no fellows, sir, repliei Curly,
Il am Il Campbell
Campbell be d---ll They were aye a
set of thcving cateraus, the best OF Them,
but they were men, not span gle jacks, ana 1
tell you that fifty years ago hal the best o
your blood done To "a MacA Iistor what you
have done to mo and mine this day, my FOR
bears would have given him Je iburgh law
they'd have hanged him first, ana tired Inn
afterl Youre no; worth swinging for, else
I'd think more of shooting YOU than
wringing the neck of muir fowl"
"Eou are FIora's father, sir, AMI for her
sake | endure theie bitter words.
you'll endure more ieforo Eve donel
Now listen, If you've any regard for ) our
life, answer me clearly AMI quickly, and
above all truthfully. Yon deinentel girl
swears that you are her husbani, that |
know to he lel But she has been in your
charge two days and nights Have you
wronged hcr:'
''lf any otheranan had asked mo the ques
ton, | think should know how 10 answer
him. You are her father, and | forgive
you; but, as God is MY judge, she is as ure
as W hen she left your roof two nights aGol
And she is not your wife,
Would to heaven she were!'
Good Now read tins paper.
Curly took up the paper AMI read these
cruel words:
''lbeSe presents are to attest that Fora
MacAllster is not my vito; and | call Col
will ] seek to become her husband.
DONALD CAMPBELL
'Dudhope Ferry, May 18th, Is"
''You Lave read" said MacAllistcr.
Curly assented in silence.
Now; your answer"
MY answer is this" said the young man,
tearing the paper in pieces, and casting the
fragments to his feet
Just So" said MacAllister. "Dln'l,
copy yon paper once more"
Strathmines locked the outer door, and,
putting the key in his pocket, began to
write. As he wrote. not sound could he
heard save the scrihbling of the pen on the
paper
While the old man locked the inner door
Curly looked through the window 1t was
small-so small that there was no possibility
of escape that way. No human being APP
pearcd within sight or sound Then lie
looked towards the fireplace. There lay the
poker, primitive and unromantic weapon
it is true; but If he could only reach it l..
Quickly as he moved towards the hearth
stone MacAllister was quicker still, with
the pistol at his head.
''No, you don't, my mannie,' said he
grimly. ''ls the paper done, Dan'lp
ut is replied the other.
"Road it aloud, then that there may bs
no mistake about it!' Decmpster Aad it
aloud. 1t was textually word for word
with the document which Curly had de-
stroycd. Now" said MacAllister, there's
my watch,' and he placed it on the table
Its now five-apd twenty minutes past
four; if at half past you've not signel that
paper, by the living God IN chance this
world and the next, and put the contents of
this pistol into your head tho next minute"
The young man darted towards the door,
but was intercepted by Deempster also
pistol in hand. Poor Curly! he WINS any-
thing but hero, but a better or Drawer
man might have felt daunted, placed be.
tween the pistols of these stalwart and dos
perate men. He loved Flora Mac Allister
better than any thing in the world-better
even than life. If by sacrificing his own
life he could have saved hers, l think he
would have found courage to do So But
lie reasoned that she was safe enough for
the present. lesides, while there was life
there was hope. These and thousand
other thoughts passed through his mind
during those five minutes Five minutes.
did l says should hay. said five ages of
agony.
Times up" said MacAllister, cooking
his pistol.
''One moment" said Curly. 81 will sign
this paper on two conditions"
Name them, said the old man sternly
First, that you will promise me not to
coerce Lcr into marrying this" Indicating
Deempster) For any other man"
Mac Allister ruminated moment and said
81 promise,
"Next-that you'l let me see her to say
good -hye-before you, if you desire it, but
hot before yonlor man.
"Eonder mans eye, flashed fire and
Carly heard the c,ici OF his pistol, but the
hate in his heart gave him courage and he
faced his en- my Ia has te ,th
Allister-WaS h, thinking, l wonder
that he had bceh Young once himsslfi-iuteF-
posed with:
"That'lI dc, nau'L Confound It'll we can't
have 1t all our own way, and our own way
of having it, too! The lai shall say good
bye tu her
You promise that shall see her thsnr
Il promise Now sigl"
God help me!' exclaimed Curly ".'m
isniug away her lite and my own with M
hearts hiool!' And so he was, poor wretchi
MncAiiistnr took die paper, and, turning
to DeymfsteT, said. Now, Dan'l, Sc, the
carriage ready.
Stra hinines strobe from the house, livil.
but silent MaCAllster unlocked the inner
door, aut, going to the foot of the stairs.
called Flo'a
III u moment time she was in the room-
there was no fear about her. She went
straight over to her lover threw her arms
round him, an kissed him before her fathers
face 1mt KISS never left thu unhappy
mans lips till the day of lis death. After
warts she remembered that he was cold as
ice ~ hat moment, however, she merely
thou4ht that he was Worn out with the
strain OF the voyage. As sh, took his arm.
auI leaned her head upon his shoulder the
not blood rushed from her heart to her
glowing checks, while be stood pale as
death uotioulrss as marble,
Not WORT had yet been spoken. At
length her father handed her the paper.