The Irish standard., 1900-06-09
CHAPTER X.

its hollis and whitened on the brown
stalks till broad fields of snow lay on
all sides of Carnleigh. For awhile Ron
aid had put aside his studies to super
intend the picking, hauling and ginning
Of his cotton. The weather had been
favorable and he had made good crop.
Hc had not CHANGED to meet Mrs. Lam
caster again after the day she had
called, and about the middle of August
he learned that she had gone back to
Charleston. His informant also limited
that Evelyn was to follow her in Octo-
Der. He was trying to forget certain
thoughts about her which had beat
themselves into his heart during the
summer, and though he felt sharp
pain over the announcement that she
was going away, he tried to look upon
it as providential.
There were other things. too, which
forced themselves upon his attention.
Reports were continually filtering
through the gossips to him TO the eff
feet that Sydney Hart had sworn to be
revenged on him for having made him
The butt of ridicule on the night of the
attempted lynching. The newspapers
had given considerable space to the
matter, and the local correspondents,
being unknown to sgd, dared to write
what they would never have said to his
face. They made him out even more
desperate outlaw, if possible, than he
was, and added a sting to these state
ments by making great hero OF Fan
shaw, who was described as having
every grace and virtue that could fall
to the lot Of one man. Moreover, Il lit
tie parson, who was visiting in the
neighborhood, and was told before
hand that sgd was in an adjoining
county, had taken the affair as a topic
for his discourse, and among other
things which reached sgd with almost
Geographic rapidity, he said that sgd
was Il coward who was SO much afraid
of his shadow that he did his evil deeds
at night. So when all these things had
ranked for two months in Syd's mind,
he decided that he could at once prove
his courage and get even by having it
out with Ronald Fanshaw.
One day Ronald was leaving the cot
ton gin, which was about mile from
the land he was renting, when Dave
rode up on top Of a big load of loose
cotton.
Hold on, thar, Ron," he called out,
II want to speak to you"
Ronald paused and Dave got down
from the wagon and joined him.
Look hcer, have you got anything to
shoot with?" was Dawes anxious ques-
ton.
mot a thing" returned our hero;
"why do you ask?"
Before answering Dave drew his re.
volver from his hip pocket.
"Well," he said, as he proffered it
"you'd better take this, an be on the
safe side. Sgd Hart and Thad Williams
is in town, am they are due long hee1
about now. sgd may pass you without
a word; it's all OWN to his load O. rot.
gut. He kinder likes me, an told i'm
one day if he ever harmed you I'd make
a sitter out'm his damn carcass, an he
knows I meant it; but the sight O. you
might make i'm rabid."
Ronald hesitated, but, on being
urged, lie took the revolver and put it
into his pocket.
81 don't want any row." he said, set
ting his lips firmly, "but I will not be
shot down in public road.'
"Now you are talking like q free
born American citizen" said Dave, and
he went off to unload his cotton.
Ronald had succeeded in banishine
from his mind the unpleasant. thought
reused by Dawes fears, and had crossed
the creek bridge and was within sight
OF The dormer windows Of Carnlcigh
when. down the deserted road, he heard
a mans voice singing rollicking song
1t was Sydney Harris voice, and its muf'
fled quality indicated inebriation. HI
was still hidden from view by SHARP
bend in the road, but a moment later BIT
came into sight, slowly riding along OF
horseback. He did not recognize Ron
aid till he was within some fifty yards
Of him. Our hero saw him rein in his
horse suddenly and then whip out his
revolver. Ronald paused and put hi.
hand on his own weapon, cooking it
while it was still in his pocket. HI
was, for the moment, conscious of nj
other feeling than the instinct of self
preservation. Even then he hoped thai
his antagonist had drawn his revolver
only in spirit of drunken bravado
But this hope was quickly put to figh'
by Syd's erect carriage and the steadi
ness of his aim, which was now directed
on him. sgd laughed harshly.
"This is the moment that has beef
sent in answer to my prayers" he said
deliberately. "Thar's been sight o
talk about yore spunk, but never be
lieved in it myself. I've always knowet
yore liver war white. Now, this hee,
road is entirely too narrow fur me an
you both to travel on. You jest git init
them thar woods, ur I won't leave /.
piece O. yore carcass big enough to bal
q gnat on"
II don't want to have any trouble
with you, Hart" answered Ronald, VIII,
had still mot drawn his revolver, "but
will not allow any living man, drunk o,
sober, to drive me from public high
way"
"You won't, hey? Well, we'll see how
you like lead pills." Our hero saw tn,
barrel of the revolver steady itself, AM
blue puff of smoke rise from it, fol
lowed by sharp report. Ronald heart
the ball whistle by him. He drew hi
revolver, and, crouchirg down in tn
road, that as little of his body might b.
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