The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-06-09
"Never!" ! denied. $50 FAR as de-

"Never!" I denied. $50 far az de-
cent speech could o1npaS it, have
ever sought to tell her h a con-
scienceicss villai you are"
He laughed again at that.
You S1"w women but lndinerently,
my captain, if you think IL breach a
love affair by a c~annonade of hard
words. But ! an in no huinor to dis
pute with you. You have lost. and l
have won, and, were ! not here tc come
between, you'd look your last upon the
things of earth In shortest order, ! do
assure YOU
"You?-you come between?" l scoffed.
You are all kinds of u knave, Sir
Francis. but you worst enemy never
accused you of being a fool"
There was q look in his yes that l
could never fathom.
You are bitter hard, John Ireton--
bitter and savage and unforgiving.
You knew the wild blade of a half
score years ago, and now you'd make
the grown man pay scot n lot for
that same youngsters misdeeds. Hav
you never q touch of human kindness
in you?"
To know how this affected me you
must turn back to that place where l
have tried to picture out this man for
you. l said he had a gift to turn a
woman's head or touch her heart. 1
should have said that he could use this
gift at will on any one. For the mo
ment l forgot his cool disposal OF me
in the talk with Captain Stuart; forgot
how he had lied to make me out a spy
n so had brought me to this pass.
So l could only say: You killed my
friend. Frank Falconnet, and"
"Tush!" said he. THAT quarrel died
nine years ago. Your reviving of it
now is but a mask"
For what?" ] asked.
For your just resentment in sweet
Margery's behalf Believe 1t or not, as,
you like, but ! could owe you for that
blow you ave me, John Ireton. I had
been losing cursedly at cards that day,
and mine hosts wine had a dash of US
q%uebaugh in 1t, ] dare swear. At any
rate, l knew not what ii was l said till
Tybee said 1t over for me-"
But the next morning you took q
ours advantage of me on this very spot
and ran me through" ! countered.
Name 1t what you will and let it go
at that. There was murder in your eye,
and you are the better swordsman.
You put me upon it for my life, and
when you gave me leave, l did not kill
you, as ! might"
mo, you reserved me for this"
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 1
could spare you, but as a rival"
l laughed, and sanity began to come
again. Make an end of it," l said.
I'D rather hear the muskets speak
than"
For reply he too a folded paper
from his pocket and spread and held it
IN $Irx 7 y,S-l< M ,~-
from my Lord CORVALLIS, directing
Captain F%alconnet to send his prisoner,
Captain John 1reton, sometime lieuten-
ant in the Royal Scots Blues, under
guard to his lordship's headquarters in
South Carolina.
Can o read it?" he asked.
l nodded.
We'll, this supersedes the colonel's
sentence. If ! say The word to Ensign
F~arQuharson you will be remanded."
ITO be hot or hanged a little later,
I suppose?"
NO. Have you any notion why my
Lord Charles is sending for you?"
NO." said l. in my turn; and, in
deed, l had not.
He knows your record as an officer
and would give you a chance to list.
in your old service
Il would not TAX tat your hands
or his
You'd best take 1t. But in any
event. you'll have your life and honor
able s~afe-conduct beyond the lines"
Make an end" l said again. II UNI
derstand Vol will obey his lordship's
order, or disregard it, as your own in
terest directs. What would you have
me dog"
"A very little thing to weigh against
a life. Mr.. Gilbert Stair is my very
good friend"
let that go unc~ontradicted.
His title to the estate is secure
enough, al you know, but you can
make it better" he went on.
This saying OF his told me what
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
came to thrill me.
Go on" said 1.
Your route to Camden lies through
Charlotte. Your guard will give you
time and opportunity to execute a quit
claim in Mr.. Stairs favor"
rs that alp l asked.
mo; after that our ways must lie
apart-or yours and Margery's, at all
events. Civ me your word Of honor
that you relinquish any claim @
have, upon her, and l pass this letter on
to the ensign"
And If l refuse?"