Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-02-07

And with these words he sat down
on wooden packing case which serv.
ed both as seat and table and drop
ped his head llstlessly into his hands.
He heard Coch Tails labored breath
ing, heard him throw down the ak
with force which made the flooring
rattle, heard him pace up and down
the bare floor with slow and heavy
steps. And he heard also the snorting
Of the cattle in the shed below, and
the stamping Of the hoofs of one rest
less beast, startled by the noise above.
"Sir," said Coch Tai in deep, vi
brating voice as he stopped short in
front Of the doctor and put one hand
upon him with a strong grip, your
brains are safe enough. I'd have liked
to fight you fair and square, man to
man. I'd have liked 1t dearly and
as he spoke his eyes blazed again and
he clinched his teeth as wave of ha-
tired seemed to pass over him. He sud-
denly released Masson's shoulder and
stepped back, as If afraid that his self
control would give way. But if you
take it like that and if you don't care
what becomes Of you, why, can't do
nothing"
And in his turn he sat down, choos-
ing the end of his bedstead for seat
and nursing his crossed leg gloomily.
Mason looked at him attentively.
"Why should you want to fight mel"
asked he. Come, tell me the truth.
Pm at your mercy up here, you know.
Tell me the truth and have done with
1t and then throw HE over into one of
the ravines or crevasses you have up
here, which you find SO convenient for
the accidental disappearance Of rash
travellers who for some reason or other
are better out of the way
Mason knew these words were an
insult of the grossest kind, but he did
not care. The dangers which sur
rounded him on every side made him
reckless. If they chose to serve him
as they had undoubtedly served his
brother he could not help it, and at
least he would have the satisfaction Of
Drawing them to their face.
So he did not even look up as he
spoke to note the effect Of his words.
He did raise his head, however, when
Coch Tai answered, not in the tones Of
| fierce defiance he had expected to hear,
but in an awestruck, reproachful voice.
"Sir, you never hear anything but
| the truth from me, believe me. Not all
the truth sometimes. l dursn't always
tell you all. But never tell you no
| lies, and that's true word"
"Well," said Mason in less antag
onistic tone, will you tell me, then,
why you want to fight me?"
"Yes. sir, may tell you that"
But he paused again.
as it on account of my poor brother?
And what l have said to you about
himY
mo, sir; 1t amt nothing to do with
him." answered Coch Tai in a sorrow
full tone. "It's because Of Gwyn."
"And what have l done that you
should want to fight me on her &C.
count?'
The veins in the PEASANTS face be-
gan to swell, and he clinched his fists
convulsively.
"What have you done? What haven't
you done, sir, in the way Of bringing
misery and ruin and trouble to her?
What have you done? Fla, ha, ha"
He uttered short, hard laugh and
then was suddenly silent. Mason
| stared at him with establishment and
apprehension.
"Why, man." said he Mt last, what
mad notion have you got in your head ?
Because you love this girl yourself
why must you imagine that no other
man can come near her without loving
her? Your love and jealousy make
you mad and blind and deaf to reason.
She and have been merely doctor
and patient and nothing more"
You fool! Clever as you may be.
and gentleman and doctor, too, you are
no better than fool where woman
comes inw cried Coch Tai savagely,
staring at him, with his head protrud-
ing and his eyes on fire. Merely doc
tor and patient! Ha, ha, ha! Poor
lass, poor lass!"
Mason looked at him in ever in
creasing amazement. How far had
Coch Tails insane doubts and fears
carried him2
Don't you know" said he at last
ignoring the PEASANTS abuse and try
ing to bring him to facts, what Gwyn
told her father7 You heard, am
sure!'
Heard! Yes, heardV' retorted
Merrick sullenly and contemptuously
81 heard her say you and her were en-
gagged to marry. But knew that II
was only blind. She only said 1t tc
get you away with whole skin. Oh
knew that"
"Then what are you troubling youl
head about2 If you are satisfied that
! have never made love to her and
that what she said was said only tt
help me to get safely away, what IL
the world have you to grumblt
uboutT
'That is what I've got to grumblt
about" retorted Coch Tai emphatical
ly. "That it is all make up, a make
believe; that you care no more for hel
than if she was the grass under YOU
feet and that you'll go away with ,
light heart and Il free conscience ant
leave my poor girl to eat her heart ou
here in the hills, with never so mucl
as a thought for her."
Again Mason stared.
How often am l to tell you," sait
he, that there has never been a ques
ton of love between us? l honor ant
respect and admire her as q good, true
) splendid woman. But that is not at nj
; like the feeling you have for her.
. Coch Tai interrupted him, throwing
! back his head and showing fac
down which the tears were chasing
each other.
mo, mister" said he, in a trembling
!, voice. "it's not the feeling l have 70
her. And no more it is the feeling sh
has for you"
Mason was struck dumb. The MAJ
spoke with the earnestness of stron
: conviction and in a voice eloquent o
, many and deep emotions. After shor
pause he went on:
= "Slr, it's you that's been blind, no