The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-12-18
CHAPTER xxx.
SIR John pnCTG TIT

that Sir John Postgate kept a sharp
watch on Butley Croft, for as the shad-
ow upon the great gilded dial marked
noon, up he rode, his son at his side.
L was near the head of the main ave-
nue. ~chopping a huge fallen elm branch
into STABLE pieces for firing when the
clatter Of their horses feet came be-
hind me. I took no notice, and Sir John
hailed me.
Who are you and what may you be
doing here" he cried.
l chopped way as stolidly as posi-
BILE, and a whip lash snapped on my hat
as the son ficked lightly at me. I
looked Up and oh, how uneasiiy my dis
guise sat upon me under those keen,
grim old eyes.
Dim S~aesneg," I growled.
Both Of them stared at me in good
earnest now. pray" began the old
man, but interrupted him with a swift
rush of a couple of my parrot sentences
and pointed to the house. The extra
ordinary gibberish set the younger man
laughing.
II a fellow from Tower Of Babel,'
simpered Jack Postgate.
At this moment out came Roger
Thorne, eager to interpose between us.
Whom IA we here?" cried Jack
Postgate. Ticking his whip across me
again, while my heart swelled furiously
within me.
"a Welshman, Sir john" replied
Roger, "a poor Taffy with never a word
of our language"
And what brings him here?" de-
manded the elder man, taking no more
notice of me, and riding forward to
the front of the house.
I heard Rogers voice speaking as he
marched beside the horse, but l could
not catch his words, and I turned again
to my wood choppfng n snote the
branch Justify, wishing it were Jack
Postgate's insolent neck.
1 a disliked nim since we were
boys, and we had fought out the battle
Of the day more tina once with our
fists while our fathers were busy with
deadlier weapons.
In those encounters it had taken all
my time to gain the victory. for he was
near three years older h I, but it
would be another affair now, n I
looked after him and clenched my fists
and longed for the chance.
He looked no Puritan figure either, as
he pranced along on his spirited nag;
he was as fine as a peacock. HIS hat
was plumed, his sword belt as richly
embroidered n his napier hilt as
gaily worked as any cavalier I had ever
seen. There was not SO much lace,
perhaps, as a TOP or our side loves, but
his clothes were bright, n of his par
ty Jack was certainly q dandy OF the
first water.
The father was Of the old school,
snow-white linen, sad-colored dress. a
simple strap to carry his sword, a plain
5 steeple hat shading a thin, severe face.
The son I disliked and despised; the
father I d!sliked, and in my present
| position, feared. 1t Is the custom with
us to fix round general names upon all
: Of the opposite party-snuft1ing rogues,
canting hypocrites, n the like; but 1t
1~I IN tho lnH avarv &" q n
l must be Judged by himself:
Neither Sir John Postgate's party nor
l principles were to my fancy, but !
could not allow him to be- other than
. an i%nfexibly honest and upright man.
I If his duty, as he conceived 1t, re-
: uuired that I should be laid by the
3 heels, he would so lay me, but to my
disfavor he would wrest nothing. ]
, had rather ten rogues to my enemies
: than one UGH a
True. the rogues, will dig pits for you
vet the chances are many that they
q themselves Will fall into the pits they
, have digged; whereas a man or single
/ purpose follows his aim with q con-
: stancy at once dreadful and intrepid.
After a time I shouldercd a bundle OF
, wood and made my way co the back OF
, the house. and entered the kitchen. 1t
was empty, and a fancy to see What
was going on in the fore part darted
: into my mind. I went quickly across to
! a second room and slipped up the back
e stairs.
row passage ran to the gallery over
! lookine the hall, and I trod quietly
along it. Voices came to my ears and
T craned my neck out from the shelter
of the passage. Below stood Jack POST
j, gate, smirking and smiling and making
his finest speeches to Enid. She was
: listening to him with an attention
which I bitterly grudged him, until
comforted myself by thinking she was
' polite for my sake, so unreaSonaple ano
importunate Is a lover.
Then Sir John and Roger came up the
hall together. and the Try old 1nde-
pendent paused before her 1reSh you,s
beauty. Enid smiled back and held HIN
= In gay talk, and Jack cut in again ano
- again, and was left unregarded, al
which I took great pleasure. But ]
q dared not stay long lest my rambling
+ should be discovered and awaken sus:
4 picion, SO returned to he Kitchen ano
sat down to await my dinner.
! In the afternoon I was again pusS
hacking wood, for to labor uncompla1n.
ingly at q mental task greatly helped
q nv disguise, when I lifted my eyes anc
saw my love coming toward me. She
t stood opposite me for a long time anc
e regarded me carelessly, as II lol9
watching my busy axe While she TOOL
e the air, Their sauntered closer little by
little. I began to carry my logs to 9
e pile just beyond where she stood, ane
e we conversed as I passed and repasseo
8 "And your interview"
e IT think 1t was a success. he wa
extremely civil. Roger had explained t.
him that I q come here ecaus o.
the disturbed state of u neighbor
n hood: and I told him of the Red Men O.
t the Dusk"
o AFTER all, they gave you a usefu
story to spin"
H listened attentlvely' ana tnei
told me how things stood here, We
G begged me, however, to use the hous'
e as long as I pleased"
: "A gracious invitation. inGeed, to