Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-02-19
Copyright, 1899, by Florence Warden.
CHAPTER XIX.
BY FLORENCE WARDEN

CHAPTER XIX.
ewYN TREGARoN's STRANGE LOVER.
Devil"
Mason stammered out the word, re-
peating it from Coch Tails speech, as
the huge mountaineer stepped back
and glared at him with glowing eyes,
Aroused thus suddenly, Mason. who
had fallen into a sound and dreamless
sleep. almost thought for the moment
that 1t was some emissary from the
sulphurous regions Of evil who thun-
dered these threatening words In his
ear. The next moment, coming to him
self. and remembering the facts Of his
position. he stretched his limbs, almost
with unconcern. under the very nose Of
his antagonist.
Look here" said he at last, In a
voice which was still sleepy, still
weary. looking as he spoke straight in
to the angry eyes Of the other man,
"Pm dead beat. I'm absolutely without
means of defense If you choose to at
tack me. And I've had such pretty
time Of it since I've been in this hole
Of a place that, upon my word. don't
much care whether you knock out my
brains or not"
And with these words he sat down
on wooden packing case which serv-
ed both as a seat and table and drop
ped his head listlessly into his hands.
He heard Coch Tails labored breath
ing, heard him throw down the ak
with a force which made the flooring
rattle, heard him pace up and down
the bare floor with slow and heavy
steps. And he heard also tho 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 a deep, vi
brating voice as he stopped short In
front of the doctor and put one hand
upon him with 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 IL 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. l can't do
nothing"
And in his turn he sat down, choos.
Ing the end of his bedstead for a seat
and nursing his crossed leg gloomily.
Mason looked at him attentively.
"Why should you want to fight me"
asked he. Come, tell me the truth.
I'm at your mercy UP here, you know.
Tell me the truth and have done with
1t and then throw ME 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 1t, and at
least he would have the satisfaction OF
Drawing them to their face.
So he did not even look up as he
smoke 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. 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. l may tell you that"
But he paused again.
"Is it on account of my poor brother!
And what l have said to you about
himT
mo, sir; 1t amt nothing to DO with
him." answered Coch Tai In a sorrow
full tone. Its because Of Gwyn."
And what have l done that you
should want to fight me on her ac'
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 herr
What have you done? Ha, ha, hal!
He uttered a short. hard laugh and
then was suddenly silent. Mason
stared at him with astonishment and
apprehension.
"Why, man." said he at 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 l 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 q fool where woman
comes iny cried Coch Tai savagely,
staring ut 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 him?
Don't you know" said he at last,
ignoring the peasants abuse and try
| ing to bring him to facts, what Gwyn
told her father? You heard, l am
sure!'
Heard! Yes, heard!' retorted
Merrick sullenly and contemptuously.
81 heard her say you and her were en-
gagged to marry. But ! knew that 1t
was only a blind. She only said 1t to
get you away with q whole skin. On,
| knew that"
"Then what are you troubling your
head about? II you are satisfied that
have never made love to her and
that what she said was said only to
help me to get safely away. what In