Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-06-09

Never" ] denied. $50 far as de-
cent speech could compass II. l have
ever sought to tell her what a con-
sc~ienceless villain you are"
He laughed again at that.
You know women but indiferently,
my captain, if you think to breach a
love affair by a ~cannonade OF hard
words. But l am in no hufnor 10 dis
pute with you. You have lost, ana L
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 between2" / scofied.
You are all kinds OF a knave. Sir
Francis. but your worst enemy never
accused you OF being a fool"
There was a O o in his eyes that
could never fathom.
You are bitter hard. John ~Ireton--
bitter and savage and u~nforgiving
You knew the wild blade OF a half
score years ago, and now you'd make
the grown man pay scot n lot Tor
that same youngsters misdeeds. Have
you never a touch OF human kindness
i'm you?"
To know how this affected me YOU
must turn back TO that place where l
have tried to picture out this man Tor
you. / said he had a gift TO turn a
woman's head or touch her heart. /
should have said hat he could use this
gift at will on any one. For the mo-
ment ] forgot his COO disposal OF me
In the talk with Captain Stuart; forgot
how he a lied TO make me out a spy
and SO had brought me to this pass.
So I could only say. You killed my
friend, Frank Falconnet, and
'-Tush." said he. That quarrel died
nine years ago. Your reviving OF 1t
now 10 but a mask"
For what ?" l asked.
For your just resentment In sweet
Margery's behalf. Believe ii or not, as
you like, but ! could love you for that
blow you gave me, John Ireton. ! a
been losing cursedly at cards that day.
and mine hosts wine had q dash OF US
Quebaugh in IL, i dare swear. AT any
rate, 1 knew not what II was | said till
Tybee said II over for me-"
But the next morning you took a
ours advantage of me on this very spot
| and ran me through / countered.
Name IL what you will and let 1t go
at that. There was murder in your eye,
and you are he better swordsman.
You put me upon IL for my life, and
when you gave me leave, l did not kill
you. as i might"
mo, you reserved me for this
You forced my hand. John Ireton."
he said, speaking low that the others
4 III NJ NCt AOe AtA4 t(h 80 . 80
day to day and used your privilege
against me. AS an enemy who merely
sought my life for yengeance's sake i
could spare o but as a rival"
i laughed, and sanity began to come
again. Make an end OF II" ! said.
I'D rather hear the muskets speak
than
For reply he tool a folded paper
from his pocket and spread and held it
so that / might read. 1t was q letter
from my Lord CORVALLIS, directing
Captain Falconnet TO send his prisoner,
Captain John Ireton, sometime lieuten-
ant in the Royal Scot Blues, under
guard to his ~lordship's headquarters in
South Carolina.
Can you read it?' he asked.
i nodded.
well, this supersedes the ~colonels
sentence. II l say the word TO Ensign
Farquharson you will be remanded."
ITO be shot or hanged a little later,
1 suppose"
No. Have you n notion why my
Lord Charles is sending for you
deed, / had not.
He knows your record az an officer
and would give o a chance to list
in your old service
u would not take it--at your hands
or his
You'd best take II. But In any
event, you'll have YOU life and honor
able ~safe-conduct beyond the lines"
Make an end" ! said again. II un-
derstand you will obey his lordship's
order, or disregard it, as your w in
terest directs. What would o have
me do2"
"A very little thing to weigh against
a life. Mr.. Gilbert Stair is my very
good friend"
i let that 60 uncontradicted.
His title to the estate is secure
enough, as you know, but you can
make il better" he went on.
This saying OF his told me what I
had only guessed, that as yet he had
not been admitted into Gilbert Stairs
full confidence; also that he had no
hint of what had taken place In my
chamber some hour or two past mid
night. AT that, a JOY fierce like pain
canie to thrill me.
60 on" said J.
Your route 10 Camden lies through
Charlotte. Your guard will give you
time and opportunity 10 execute "A quit
claim in MI. Stairs favor"
rs that ALP" ! asked.
No; after that our ways must lie
apart-or yours and Margery's, at all
events. Give me your word of hnnar
that you relinquish any claim you
have, upon her, and / pass this letter on
to the ensign
And il i refuse~
NJ nh--