River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-07-13
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4 For the Honor Of His Word |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

in all their most imposing hnery saun-
tered up and down or lounged on rough
benches set beneath the trees. There
was to be a hunting party on the NOR
row; and the landlord blessed his ma
jesty and the regent, and wished them
good sport.
A heavy travelling coach with q
broken wheel, which stood in one cor
ner of the courtyard, seemed to arouse
the curiosity of each newcomer; but
the panels bore neither arms nor cipher,
and the landlord must have been well
paid, as he knew no more than that a
lady and her attendants had halted
there for rest and refreshment till the
wheel should be repaired. The lady
was coy, and kept to her chamber,
though the gentleman, who loitered in
the orchard, caught an occasional
glimpse of her face at a window. None
seemed to recognize her, save a court
Ter, who sat with a companion on a
bench almost directly facing the win
dow. He had started with surprise
when he saw her face, as she stood for
a moment by the open easement, and,
turning to his companion, he poured
forth an eager story of piquant gossip.
"A countrywoman of those terrible
Irish, by dear Montrevel," he conclud-
ed, who has fluttered to the light from
the dim cloisters of St. Germans.
Heaven send us battalion of such
rather than regiment of her bawlng
compatriots.
They say she is beautiful"
"a wild flower tipped with dew"
You are rapturous. de Bronson, -
said Montrevel. laughing. Have you
hopes in that quarter"
NAY. she threatens and scorns, and
most truly. There is the same wild
light in her eyes as in those of all the
fre-eatipg Irish who troop TO fortune
under the lilies of France. / like not
sucb n woman,
"O-o!" laughed his companion. THE
wild Irish, then, have quelled your bold
shirt"
II faith" retorted de Brousson, half
angriIv. Il fear none of those beggarly
soldiers of fortune"
"And little need YOU. my fine bird.
for there's mighty little fattening in
the fortune YOU give them" said a
voice behind them; and turning they
saw the laughing face of an officer who
wore the scarlet uniform of the men
+hev viIifed
you are impertinent, sir!" said de
Brousson.
only familiar" remarked the new
conner, imperturbably.
De BRONSON was about to reply holly
when Montrevel interposed.
Capt. HalIoran," he said, ''our ac-
quafntance is too brief TO spoil by quar-
rels.''
Thady, still smiling, bowed. Its
hardly hot enough yet for spelling; but
gentlemen, it's mighty poor hospitality
if the stranger must hold his tongue,
and let all the testing be against him. "
"True: but / would not have it said
that Thady HalIoran was backward in
either"
The little breeze blown by, the three
sat amicablv down together, Thady
stating that he waited a friend, a
brother officer in the brigade.
Join me, gentlemen, in stoup Of
wine" he said, for it is poor work
laughing with dry mouth"
His invitation was accepted ana
presently they were served.
Here with the fiagon drink to the lass;
The man without either is only an ass
sang Thady. And pray, my friends,
what was this pretty piece Of scandal?
| came only in time to catch the sting
in the tail of it"
"Ah. only dEstrelles' latest con-
quest" answered de Brousson; "a fair
countrywoman of yours. Fair, by
Saint Louis, beyond the fairest. She
rests even now in the inn
"Oh," said Thady, carclessly, you
gentlemen of France are hard TO resist
for you lay well your siege with tlatter-
ing words and jeweled gauds.
~ faith Estrelies main store OIL
both, laughed ue broussoh, put
know not now ne won heF. ne : now
in Spain, nut she IlNes III retirement ana
is proof against all temptation though
1t is Whispered ih'' tue reS'eh' ~ ~
has cast longing ioohs 'i'' way
by venus, there she IS ne crieu.
Our gay hs'relleS most Idi' III ~
far. Ana ne pointed 10 "leFe idul
stood by an open WINDOW
Thady looked, and for moment he
sat as if turned to stone, for the face
he saw was that of Katy Ryan. Then
with Il rush the blood went tingling
through his veins, and he leapt to his
feet.
you lie he shouted. 'She is the
best and purest maid in Ireland.
De Brousson also sprang to his feet
at the insult. Then heaven keep me
from your eourtesans." He drew his
sword. Il hope, sir, YOUR honor is
brighter than your maids"
For answer Thady's sword leapt from
the scabbard. but ere the blades could
cross. she landlord, drawn by the sud
den urroar. was between them.
"Sir~ sirs would We ruin me? Here
: ~ loco for hra,yls but wonder is a
.,ra,t,- ,,iece az lawn where gentlemen
~. -, each other in comfort and not
min the reputation of an honest
house"
The two men were in no mood to
brook interference. but Moutrevel pre-