The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-02-16

CHAPTER XII. (Continued.)

= udVe 1udOe MATTERS I'LL TlSnC Win
your clerical friend" said he. HE has
had a good meal, and a glass Of doc
.tored brandy, by way Of a nightcap,
and I think he will have a good. long
sleep, and wake without the slightest
trace Of a headache. And now, Cap
tain, and YOU, sir, you must let me at
tend to your wants, and then I'll leave
you to talk as long as you like"
you would be doing me a great ia
vor," said my father, eff you would
hear what I have to say. I had thought
that I never would tell it to any one
not even to my son here; but If you
will bear with me I think I can con-
vince you that you haven't done wrong
in siding with u.s."
Supper first, Captain" said Manuel.
land then I'm your man for an all
night sitting, If you like. You know
I'm a bachelor, and perhaps that will
explain to you why things are ome
what rough"
He clapped his hands, and in a trice
supper was spread. but I was top eager
to hear what my father had to tell to
do justice to the meal, though the good
things provided were tempting enough.
When the dishes had been removed md
u cigars lighted ] heard at last, the
history that I had twice before been 50
near hearing-once when Mr.. Travers
was smitten dumb, and a second time
when the horrors Of remembrance had
upset the balance Of Jim Maguire's rea.
.gon. '"'
Let me see." my father began, show
old are you, Jack? All, yes! six aor sev-
en- and twenty. Then 1t will be we'll
nigh nineteen years ago since this. feud
began, and I hope and trust that 1t will
end tomorrow. Your mother and l,
Jack, were married secretly, for her
parents were bitterly opposed to the
match, and when she died, a few
months after your birth, I SEN you to
live at a farm house.
You can remember me coming for
you one evening VIII o were about
eight years old, and I o you away to
the Continent, and you know how close
the ties became that bound us to each
other. Had o been old enough to UNI
derstand things then you would have
seen hat our departure from England
was very much in the nature Of flight.
I had married very young, and when
you were four years old my father, who
had no knowledge of your existence.
took it into his head that I must go to
Cambridge, though I was a good deal
older than most men are when they
enter a University.
"The idea pleased me, and I was glad
to go up. and when two years after
wards my father died, leaving me well
off, I still stayed On to read for a
degree. I must say that I made my
life lat college as pleasant as possible,
but whilst I went in for all the usual
amusements I did a fair amount of
reading, and this brought me into
touch with poor Starlight, and he and
I struck up a great friendship.
you knew him, Jack, as Travers,
and by that name I shall call him,
I could seldom get him to my rooms
1t night. where sometimes we played
Tor moderate stakes, for although he
was a fine whist player he wouldn't
gamble even for penny points. and
some Of those with whom I wished to
stand well were inclined to laugh at
him for his goodness.
"Well, one day he and I were reading
quietly, when all at once a noisy party
burst In upon US, for I hadn't sported
my oak.
1T was a dull afternoon, and with
out any ceremony they tossed my
books away. We've come for a hand
1T cards. said one Of. them. Here's
Paddy with a new game that he's go
ting to teach u.s. Little did he think
that he was sounding his own knell, and
that Of more han one who was stand.
ing there with him. "A new game I
said. What is it. Paddy?'
Now, this a as his nickname Inn
piled, was an Irishmaan, as hot-headed
and handsome O specimen of the fiery
race as o could well find. His name
was Fergus Lennon, and the passenger
who came here with me in. the Corisan-
de is his brother Maurice. What's this
game, Paddy?' I asked. It's not a new
game at all,' he said. It's cribbage.'
ooh! I know it, I said. I don't mind
having a hand with you, just to show
these Johnnles how to count, but I
haven't a board. Someone must put
up the scores for u.s. and, with that, !
rose to get the cards.
."fsWait awhile!' said the Irishman.
Every one Of you come Owe to my
rooms. I've got a lovely board, and
you all owe me a visit We q make
ourselves comfortable there, and we'll
pay for the honor OF u countries
Horocp! Here's ireland against Eng
draws out of it,
THE men seemed to like the notion,
all except Travers. but we got the bet
ter OF his scruples, and he came with
sus. There were five Of US in allen
Mayne and Foster. II
49, sstfrrYn.> E-.~SV H-,n ~In~p pnn a~l hnY1