Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-12-19
CHAPTER XXI.
IEUAN'S ERRAND.

whispered Roger. On, pe caiSio -
may be a plot to trepan you.
why, Roger, as to that, sald L. ne
knew who i was at the inn, n TX ne
had been minded to do me mischief he
had only to expose me to Postgate. l
must see him and find out what brings
him about this country"
1 went into the hall ard carried wood
to replenish the fire. Enid was not
there, and as / stood looking into the
gallery, hoping she might come OUT OF
her room, a waiting woman descended
from the upper regions. This woman
1 had detected as very watchful upon
Enid and Siani, and, indeed, upon my
self, though my supposed ignorance OF
The language caused me TO be UNI
troubled by inquisitive folk. She was OF
the Postgate faction, and. without
doubt, was in the interest of the son, Tor
I have never credited the father.
work.
1 went out of the house and made an
opportunity to slip into the wood,
which st one point ran up nearly TO
the garden wall, and vas soon In the
depths of It, making my way toward
the meeting place / had fixed upon. IL
was still quite light when l reached IT,
and, after accommodating carefully from
an adjacent brake, 1 advanced upon II
dIlN OuIll llldN Il AAASN
road by which Ieuan would approach
ran across the common, dipping into
hollows and winding through thickets
and brushwood, and was as grassy as
the land on either side. 1t had been
disused since the cottage was deserted
but was still clearly marked by its
deep ruts. I went slowly down 1t, keep
ing a sharp watch about me.
Half a mile from the cottage | saw
- hnal nooincf tho CkV someone COm-
ing over q healthy slope before me,
'Ieuan," thought 1. Then a second
head came in sight, and l dropped be-
hind a clump Of gorse and Wormed my
way into 1t like a snake. 1t was not so
much hat 1 suspected Ieuan as that
an instructive wariness and caution had
become a part of my nature.
They came on, two Of them, and talk
ing Welsh. That of Itself was a good
sign and the first glimpse l had of
Ieuan's companion treasured me. Him
no disguise could conceal from his ac-
Quaintance. 1t was the dwarf harper.
I let them pass, for l feared to offend
Ieuan's touchy temper by disclosing
that / had hidden from them, then rose
and ran swiftly back by a circuitous
path, and was seated on a bank be-
side the cottage when the two Red
Men Of the Dusk rode up at n foot
pace.
We'll" called out Ieuan, cheerfully,
1--WE are meeting once more" and the
harper wagged his huge, elf-like head
at me and smiled.
"Ieuan,' said 1, "how did you know
me?"
Indeed, not easily from your looks"
laughed he, but many things were
helping me. For thing, l had found
out that Owain's sister wass at the
house, and then / Yass sure that you
were not far away. When / heard that
only one man wass with them l wass
ready to look for you in that man. And
besides, l had found that you could not
show yourself openly. You never said
to me that you were at Nant-y-Bryn
to hide yourself
mo, Ieuan, l did not" said 1.
Never mind for that" replied Ieuan,
waving his hand. Every man must
look for himself. But, you see, / wass
already beginning to think you are that
man, so it wass a great help for me
to find you out"
True" said ], at was"
WELL continued he, 1.-THE next
thing ISIS that you are wondering what
business brings me here. What have
you been thinking since you found l
wass in your village?"
II have formed no opinion at all on
the natter l replied. 1T vas a great
surprise to see o certainly"
Surprise" repeated Ieuan, that ISIS
it. 1t ISIS all surprises. / came here
thinking to see you a rich man, riding
the beautiful mare about this country
like a king. And l found a Siac Y My
nydd.""
= Jack a-mountain.
His tone was one Of keen disappoint-
ment. A sudden light broke upon me,
and | laughed and laid n hand on his
arm.
"Ieuan,' said l, Il see it now. You
came for that hundred pounds TO stock
the little farm"
Yes, indeed" confessed leuan; you
have your finger on the place. And
when | wass on the road | wasS so easy
in my mind as If it wass in my pocket"
How much money did o get out
Of Nant-y-Bryn?"
VERY little, very little. / took it all,
for 1t was Of nc use to the others, and
they carried the rest of the plumber
into the hills"
"Ay, ay," said I, land what are the
people Of Nant-y-Bryn doing?"
Il believe they will be very happy
there" replied Ieuan. There ISIS no
master over the place ~ no n will
be paying rent. Yes, they will be sat-
isfied."
ana the mousse is gone
"The walls are standing he re-
piled. mo fire could harm them, but
the rest ISIS ashes ALL"
1.-The walls are standing, eh?" l re-
peated. Then, Ieuan, o have been
turning your pack on your hundred
pounds all the time"
What" he cried; you know of
some money hidden there?"
Il do" said I, and told him Of the
sum which l had unquilted from my
coat and given to the keeping Of Sir
Arthur.
And why did you not ask for it back
when you went away?" said Ieuan.
II had plenty for my immediate
needs" l replied, and l was not on
terms to nave civil dealings with Sir
Arthur"
Ieuan nodded, and beat his fist light
ly upon his knee.
However, l. continued, I'VE must
see what can be done STILL"
do you mean that you can help me-"
he asked quickly; you, who look so
poor?"
Il, who look so poor" I laughed;
IT think / can do something yet. Mind,
I do not promise for all; blu l will get
you a good share of It,"
You are making me very thankful"
burst Ieuan; now / will tell you
everything. / am very anxious, very
anxious to get some money, for | have
been feeling so sure of having 1T with
you that / have been talking to
Winny."
II see, and she is going With YOU to
the little farm, which waS not n fancy
after all, Ieuan."
NO" said he, look,g st me very
slyly, but everybody iS@ not telling
everything"
"A fair hit" estG J. and where is
this farm"
1T ISIS in tie Lcp.h," replied Ieuan.
II heard Of Il s.oiE a mar | know very
well. vixen ! IVES travelling that way
about Tree months ago."
And what will become of the Red
Mer. Of the Dusk without their leader?"
u do g.ot know, and, indeed, l do not
cara have done with them now.