Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1901-12-27
CHAPTER Y


from his breeches pocket.
Foster looked up for a moment. then
gathered himself together and arose
to his feet He did not speak; neither
did Dick The deadly silence was at
last broken by Dick.
Am I the chief he said replacing
his weapon.
You are the chief" Foster replied.
This is our first serious quarrel, let
it be our last said Dick.
at SHALL" Foster replied; the man
who can twist Andrew Foster about as
if he were weathercock is good
enough to follow
You think so. truly? And no knife
in your thoughts. no knife or pistol
on a dark night when your man is off
his guard"
Il am sincere" said Foster. thor
oughly cOwed.
Your hand on it,"
Foster put out his hand. Dick took
it. and as he pressed it in a peculiar
way repeated part of the oath which
bound the little company of sO-called
merchants together And whosoever
he shall break his oath of featy TO the
chief then and there in authority. his
life shall be forfeit and may be taken
by one and all; or. failing this just
execution. he shall be deserted by all
in the hour of his need"
Those are the words. think"
They are said Foster
You still subscribe to them?"
81 do
Then it is I who spare your life.
Andy; not you who SPARE mine, eh?"
That is So, said the red-eyed
sneak
And we will forget all that has oc-
Cured to shake our tempers in Kirk
stall"
And at Leeds" said Foster. ready
to make the amends more complete.
We are friends, comrades, broth
ers once more" said Dick. with
pleasant smile After breakfast YOU
will go on your way-at the end of
the week you will report yourself
will meet you six days hence at York
"a mile this side the last turnpike.
at g."
Right" said Foster: and such is
discipline. when enforced by authority
combined with superior skill and
strength. that. half an hour afterwards
the young traveller and his friend were
breakfasting together as amicably as
if there had never been the shadow
of cloud upon their intercourse
They preferred 10 eat in the private
room that overlooked the high road:
Bellingham and two other guests in
the general room.
1t vase a coZy wainscoated apart
/ ment, this private room that flanKed
the bar, and matched it with a large
| bow-window, which commanded a fine
view of Kirkshall Abbey. with the Aire
and stretch of green meadows in the
| foreground. and in the distance
! glimpses of the river as it flowed in
crystal beauty through one of the
! loveliest valleys in England
AS the two travellers were finishing
| their morning meal they were attract
ed by Tom Sheffield. the man OF all
work, leading to the door smart cob.
which was followed by young fellow
mounted upon a similar animal. the
sturdy countryman vaulting out of his
saddle to assist a merry-lOOking girl
into hers. Not that Mary required his
aid. She took his hands, neverthe-
less. 1t was offered with the grace Of
a perfect horseman
Jack Meadows was Yorkshire born
and bred. and if there is one thing a
Yorkshireman can do better than any
other man it is TO ride a horse. and
if there is one thing a Yorkshireman
| knows more than any other it is a
! good horse when he sees it. Jack
Meadows was a rough farmer; he sat
with the dignity of an Indian and the
/ confidence and ease of a huntsman.
He wore his velveteen jacket, drab
brooches, figured stock. and all that
and smiled proudly at Mary as her
horse curveted and showed it's points,
and her own.
For a spin to Jacks farm" said
Mary, answering her uncle, who stood
| door ito see the new colt and we will
| be back half an hour before the
coach"
Very we'll" said the old man. "be
in time for the coach, and you'll be in
time for me. Mary. How are you.
Jack?"
Fine morning. Mr.. Morley" said
Jack Very we'll thank you. sir"
Old Morley liked to have Jack
Meadows address him as sir" and
he favored his suit for Mary.
Do you think your change of pro-
gram will work." Foster asked as
Dick caught Mary's eye from the win
dow and waved his hand to her.
L think So" said Dick, as well he
might. if the conquest of Mary occu-
pied the important place in his pro-
gram. which Foster thought it did;
| for Dick was quick to note the flush
that stared fresh and rudy upon
Mary's cheek as she responded to his
salute with a bend of her graceful
| head. and the sweet parting OF her
lips into pleasant smile.
| He is a stalwart-looking chap"
| said Foster.
The young cOuntryman?" remarked
Dick interrogatively. as II Foster
might be speaking of some one else.
"Her lover" said Foster.
DO you think he is her lover?"
Don't your asked Foster.
mo; but you seem to think she is