The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-24

vindictive, and always because you must
ever mess and NEEDLE with other mems
concerns" he retorted. And yet 1 say
you've served me-.
Tell me how. in Gods name, that may
not die with that sin unrepented Of
''Oh, in many small ways. but chiefly in
Never" l denied. $50 far as decent
speech could compass it. have ever sought
to tell her what constituencies villain
you are"
He laughed again at that
You know women but indifferently, my
captain, If you think to breach a love af-
fair by cannonade of hard words. But
am in no humor TO dispute with you. You
have lost. and have won; and, were not
here to come between, you'd look your last
upon the things of earth in shortest order,
/ do assure you"
"You?-you come between?" 1 SCORED.
You are all kinds of knave, Sir Francis,
but your worst enemy never accused you
of being a fool"
There was a look in his eyes that 1 could
never fathom.
"You are bitter hard. John Ireton-bitter
and savage and unforgiving. You knew the
wild blade of half-score years ago, and
now you'd make the grown man pay scot
and lot for that same youngsters mis-
DEEDS. Have you never touch OF human
To know how this affected me you must
turn oack to that place where / have
tried to- picture out this man for you.
said he had a gift to turn womans head
or touch her heart. should have said that
he could use this gift at will on any one.
For the moment forgot his cool disposal
or me In the talk with Captain Stuart; for
got how he had lied to make me out a spy.
and SO had brought me. to this pass.
So / could only say: You killed my
friend, Frank Falconnet and
"Tush!' said he. THAT quarrel died nine
mask"
For what?" I asked
For your just resentment in sweet Mar
gery's behalf. Believe 1t or not, as you like.
but could love you for that blow you gave
me, John Ireton. had been losing cursedly
had dash of usquebaugh in 1t, 1 dare
swear. At any rate, 1 knew not what it
was said till Tybee said it over for me-"
But the next morning you took a ours
advantage of me on this very spot and ran
me through" countered.
Name ii what you will and let 1t go at
you are the better swordsman.' You put me
upon 1t for my life, and when you gave me
leave, 1 did not kill you, as might
No; you reserved me for this"
He took a step nearer and seemed
strangely agitated.
You forced my hand. John Ireton," he
said. speaking low that the others might
not hear. You had her ear from day to
day and used your privilege against me. As
an enemy who merely sought my life for
vengeance's sake could spare you; but as
a rival
1 laughed, and sanity began to come
again. Make an end of it, 1 said. I'D
rather hear the muskets speak than YOU"
For reply he took folded paper from
his pocket and spread and held it so that
might read. 1t was letter from my Lord
CORVALLIS, directing Captain Falconnet to
send his prisoner, Capt. John Ireton. some
under guard to his lordship's headquarters
In South Carolina.
Can you read it?' he asked.
well. this supersedes the coloneps sem
tence- If / say the word to Engign Far
quharson you will be remanded.''
TO be shot or hanged little later, I
mo. Have you any notion why my Lord
Charles is sending for your"
NO" said I. in my turn: and, indeed.
He knows your record as an officer and
would give you chance to list in your
II would not take it-at your hands or
his"
YOU'D best take it, But in any event
you'll have your life and honorable safe
conduct beyond the lines"
Make an end" said again. ST under
stand you will obey his lordship's ORDER or
disregard 1t, as your own interest directs
What would you have me do?"
"A very little thing to weigh against a
life. Mr. Gilbert Stair is my very good
friend
1 let that go uncontradicted
His title to the estate Is secure enough
as you know, but you can make 1t BETTER"
he went on.
This saying of his told me what / had
admitted to Gilbert Stairs full confidence:
also, that he had no hint of what had
taken place in my chamber some hour or
two past midnight At that. JOY fierce
like pain came to thrill me.
go on, said /.
"Your route to Camden lies through
Charlotte. Your guard will give you time
and opportunity to execute a quitclaim in
Mr.. Stairs favor"
lis that ALP 1 asked.
No; after that our ways must lie apart
or yours and Margery's, at all events. Give
me your word of honor that you relinquish
any claim you have. think you have
upon her, and / pass this letter on to the
ensign"
He came so near that 1 could see the
lurking devil in his eyes.
IF you refuse? Harken. John Ireton; If
you had hundred lives to thrust between
me and the thing / crave, I'd take them
ALL" So much he said calmly; then a sud-
den gust of passion seized him, and for
once. think, he spoke the simple truth.
God! I'd sink my soul in Calvin's hell to
have her."
l could not wholly mask the smile of tri-
maiden vineyards was entrapped at last. I
saw the fire of such a passion as such a
man may know burning in his eyes: and
then / knew why he was come upon this
errand.
500" said !. Then Mistress Margery
sent you here to save me?" Twas but
guess, but made sure it hit the truth.
He swore sneering oath. $50 the priest
carried tales. did he? Well. make the most
OF it; she would not have her fathers
guest taken from his bed and hanged like
a dog"
/ smiled again. Twas more than that:
she would even go so far as to beg her
husbands life boon from that same hus-
mands mortal enemy"
BAH he scoffed. That lie of yours i'm
posed upon the colonel. but 1 had better
information.
"A lie, you say? True. twas a lie when
1t was uttered. But afterward some hour
or so past midnight. by the good help of
Father Matthew, and with your Leuten-
ant Tybee for one witness and the LAWYER
for another. made a sober truth of It..
/ hope, for your own peace OF mind, my
dears, that you may never see a fellow
human turn devil in a breath as did then
His mans face fell away from him like a
vanishing mask and In the place of II
glared upon me. Twice his hand souGht the
swordhilt and once the blade was half un-
sheathed Then he thrust his devil face In
mine and Kissed his parting word at me so
like snake that IL made me shudder with
adherence.
You've signed your own death warrant
you witless fool You'd play the spoil-sport
here as you did once before, would Won?
Curse you. / wish you had a hundred lives
that / might take them one by one,' Then
he wheeled sharp upon his heel and gave
the order to the ensign. BELT him to the
tree. Farquharson. and make an end of
him. I've kept you waiting overlong."
They strapped me to a tree with other
belts. and when all was ready the ensign
stepped aside to give the word. Just here
there came little pause prolonged beyond
the moment of completed preparation 7
knew not why they waited, having other
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