The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-06-09
THE MASTER OF APPLEBY|
b. Francis Lynde. ----1
b. Franci. Lynde. --

of death had touched us, and that the
~loW-voiced priest was STRIVING us the
while we knelt 10 take his benediction
All through this farce-which was in
truth the grin,mest of all tragedies
my lady played her part as one who
walks in sleep; and at the end she let
her father lead her out with not a word
or look or sign to me.
You'd guess that ] would take it
hard-her leaving of me thus, as I
made sure, for all eternity; and / did
take II hard. For when the strain was
on and there was no n by to see or
hear save my good-hearted death
watch, l must needs go down upon my
knees beside the bed in childish weak
ness. and sob and choke n let The
hot tears come as ] had not since at
this same. bedside ] had knelt a little
lad toitake my mothers dying love.
XII.
HOW THE NEWS CAME TO UN-
WELCOME EARS.
Though all the western quarter OF
the sky was n~igh:-black and spangled
yet with stars, the dawn was CRAVING
slowly in the east when Tybee reused
me-.
They have not come for you as
yet" he said, so took time by the
forelock and passed the word for
breakfast. 1t heartens a man to eat
a bite and drink a cup of wine Just
let me serve you, Captain lreton"
That will not said l, adding that
l would blithely share the breakfast
with him. Whereat he laughed and
clipt my hand, and swore l was a true
soldier and a brave gentleman 70 boot.
So we sat and h%obnobbed at the ta-
BILE, and Tybee lighted all the remnant
candle-ends M preached the wine
n pledged me in a bumper before we
fell to upon the cold launch of veni-
son.
My summons came when we had
shared the heel-tap of the bottle. 1t
was my toast to this k~ind-hearted
%youngster, n we drained it standing
what time the stair CAV back the
tread of marching men. Tybee crashed
his glass upon the floor and wrung
my hand across the table.
"Good-by, my captain; they have
come. God damn me, sir, III swear
they might do worse than let % go.
for all your spying. You've carried
off this matter With the lady as a gen
tleman should, n whilst l live she
shall not lack a friend. If you have
any word to leave for her"
l shook my head NO." said 1: then,
on second thought: And yet, there is
a word. You saw how ! must see the
az AIlIOAeA W SllISlO liz llON.
Surely; twas plain enough for any
one to see"
Then l shall die the easier If you
Will undertake to make II plain to Rich
ard Jennifer. He must be made to
know h a l supplanted him only in a
formal way, and that to save the lady's
honor"
The lieutenant promised heartily.
and as he spoke the oaken bar was
lifted and my reprieVe was at an end.
Having the thing to dispatch before
they broke their fast, my soldier hang
men marched me off without ado The
house and all within it seemed vet
asleep, but out of doors the legion van
guard was astir, and newly kindled
camp-fres smoked and blazed among
the trees. In shortest space we left
these signs of life behind, and l began
to think toward the end.
'Tis curious how sweet his troubled
life of ours becomes when that day
wakes wherein ii must be shutled off!
AS a soldier must. l thought / had held
life lightly enough; nav. this l know,
l had often worn ii upon my sleeve in
battle. But now, when ] was marching
forth to this cold-bloode end without
the battle chance to make it welcome,
all nature cried abound to me.
The dawn was not unlike that other
dawn a month past when l had ridden
down the liver road with Jennifer; a
morning fair and fine, It's cup abrim
and running yer with the wine CT life.
l thought the cool. moist air had never
seemed so sweet n fragrant; that ma
lures garb had never seemed SO blithe.
There was no hin or sign of death in
were singing %Joyously; the squirrels,
scarce alarmed enough to scamper out
OF sight. sat each upon his Dough to
chatter at US as we passed. And once,
when we were filing through a bosky
dell with softest turf to muf1e all our
treadings. a fox ran out and stood with
one uplifted foot, and was as still as
any stock or stone until he had the
scent of us
A mile beyond the outf1elds OF Apple
by Hundred we passed the legion pick
ct line. and l began to wonder why we
went so far; wondered and made bold
to ask the ensign in command, turning
1t into a grim jest and saying | mis-
liked to come too weary to my end.
The ensign. a curst young popinjay,
as little officers cubs are like to be.
answered f%1ippantly hat the colonel
had my sentence; thai l was
to be shot like a soldier, and that far
enough afield so the volleyine would
not wake the house.
So we Jared on, a hundred wards
beyond this point of question and reply
came out into an open grove OF oaks;
then l knew where they had brought
ca why. Twas the glade where
l had fought my losing battle with the
baronet. On its farther confines two
horses nibbled rein's-length at the
grass. with Falconnet's trooper serving
man to hold them, md, standing on
the very spot where he had thrust me
out. my enemy was waiting.
Twas all pre-arranged, for when
the ensign had saiuted he marched his |
a little way apart and drew them
uR In line with muskets ported. But
at Z sign from Falconnet two Of the
broke ranks and came to strap me
with their belts. ! smiled at /
that, and would not miss the chance
You are a sorry coward, CAPTAIN
F~alconnet, as DULLES ever are" / said.
Would not your sword suffice against
a man with empty hands?"
He passed the taunt in silence. and
when the men had left me, said II
have come to speed your parting, Can
tain 1reton. You are a thick headed.
Witless fool. as O have ALWAYS been:
yet since you've blundered into serving
me l would not grudge the time to
and thank you"
Il serve you?" l cried. God knows
serve you up in collops at the table
OF your master, the devil, could I but
stand before you with a carving tool"
He laughed softly. venpefu1