The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-08-28

uSICo Slit \ was III lily uIiSic . IuS0
which SO repealed me, though I could
not fix upon a malignant expression in
any feature. All OF a sudden he burst
out:
Il wish to heaven, nephew" he cried
peevishly, that you had made your
way here on a quieter animal"
"Whitesock, SIR" said /; "a sweeter
tempered creature was never foaled.
IT'S true she will allow no one on her
back but myself. The fellow SHOULD
have left her alone"
All very fine" said my uncle. but
to have a man with a shoulder badly
put out just at the time when we need
every pair of hands and because he
wanted no more than to try the PAGES
of the mare Is too bad. How do we
know but that that rogue Ieuan and
his fellow rogues may be down on us
N day or night"
Il am sorry" I returned, for the
weakening of the garrison to that ex-
tent, but surely against such ill-pro-
vided assailants we are ample in num-
Der to make the place good"
And she will absolutely allow no
one but him to mount her" said Sir
Arthur, staring into the fire. and pay
Ing no attention to my last remark.
His tone was odd. for 1t was one of
pure chagrin, and I could not make out
what he meant.
M one at ALL" said 1.
He started and looked up with q
quick, uneasy smile.
Il was thinking aloud, nephew he
replied. Il had 1t in mind how in
places where the need arises they put
the old and infirm in as secure a place
as possible, while the young and MINI
BILE fight 1t out. Truly a man with
your Whitesock under him could re-
gard all chances of fortune with an
easy mind. He could fight, or he could
fV, lust as he liStadv ...
Why these gloomy thoughts, sir7"
said I. Your fortunes do not incline
to such evil case, so far as any one
can see. l would gladly"
Sir Arthur held up his hand and I
fell silent. He listened for a moment,
then said:
who is galloping at so fearful a
pace Town the hill road?"
l could hear nothing, for the roar Of
the river drowned all other sounds for
me. To my uncle 1t was so familiar
that he dismissed it and caught other
noises, as though the thunder of the
water was not present. He went across
to one of the windows and we both
stared eagerly through the mist. In
another moment a flying mass came
into sight. 1t gathered form and out
line at every yard, n we saw a man
up to the house.
1t is Hugh From" cried Sir Arthur,
and ran to the main entrance. I fol-
lowed him hastily and helped to draw
the huge bolts. AS we did SO, we
heard the man spring down on the
stones before the door, and in an in
slant heavy knockings resounded
through the house. I flung the door
back, and the man rushed in. He had
a squalling child under each arm, and
his face was white and terror-stricken
and streaming with sweat. In an in
slant the wide han was full Of people.
, OWa1n n Enid came to the spot
where Sir Arthur was questioning the
3 newcomer, and the servant crowded
the lower end to hear the news. The
man told his story in gasps, but I was
none the wiser until I began to distin-
gu1sh an often repeated sound and
recognized "Y, GwylIiaid Cochton." In
the very midst of the fellows story,
: Enid Vaughan struck in with a sharp
inquiry. The man faltered, hung his
head and was 10th to reply. When he
did, she seemed about to speak. warmly
When Sir Arthur stepped toward her.
Fray, be silent, Enid" said he in
English. LET us haye the whole Of his
story, then you can see about the wom-
an. With a strong effort Miss Vaughan
: controlled herself, and stood. with
} heightened color n scornful eve
t while my uncle put question afte,
= question.
l II VIII, u CooISe, take SOnle steps
: in the matter at once, Sir Arthur" she
said to my uncle at the first pause,
This fellows place." whispered
Owain Vaughan in my ear, "'has beer
attacked by these red-headed rogues
!, So far as I can make OUT the MAR
E idea was 0 and plumber. But he
fled, without delay. leaving his wife IL
bed" -
$ And the unfortunate woman was
left there %alone?" said /.
so 1t seems" replied Owain: "but
If no one else stirs, 1t. is, certain that
F.. my sister will be on the road within 6
:, few minutes"
l turned my eyes on my uncle to SEE
what answer he would make to tht
young lady's appeal.s He said nothinf
! to her for the moment,.b but shouted al
angry command to the listening crowl
at the lower end Of the hall. and 4
: melted away. Owain spoke up:
would it not be well, sir. for q feu
men to get to horse and ride as far a,
From, to see into this story and tak,
n some measures about the woman?"
Yes, Owain, that is what must h,
4 done at once" said his sister.
4 And what men will you muster t,
ride upon this errand?" asked m,
uncle, suddenly.
"a few Of the men about the house
here" replied Owain.
y Continued Next Week.)
El H