The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-05-05
THE MASTER OF APPLEBY|
by Francis Lyr,do.

Z" lis good and true of you 10 say so
little one; but there be two sides to that
as well So my fathers acres come a
last to you and Richard Jennifcr, / shat
be well content, | do assure you, Mar
gerry"
She sprang up from, her low seat an'
went TO stand In the window bay. AfteI
"a time she turned and faced once again
and the warm blood was In cheek anf
neck. and there was soft light in hel
eyes TO make them shine like stars.
Then you would have me marry Rich
ard Jcnnifer?" she asked
Twas but a little word that honor
babe me say, and yet 1t choked me and
could not say 1t.
Dick would have you, Margery; anc
Dick is my dear friend-as am his"
But yOu?" she quered. "Were you my
friend. as well. Is this as you woult
have it?''
..ly look went past her through tbs
lead-rimmed window-panes to the great
oaks and hlckories on the lawn to these
and to the white road winding in and out
among them. While yet | sought for
words In which to give her unrCscrVcdly
to my dear lad, two horsemen trotted into
view. one of them was IA kings man
the other civilian in sober black. The
rcdcoat rode as English troopers do, with
firm seat. as If the man were master
of his mount; but the smaller man in
black seemed little to the manner born
and daylight shuttlcd in and out beneath
HIN, keeping time to the jog-trot of his
beast
thought 1t passing strange that with
all good will to answer her. these coming
horsemen seemed to hold me silent. And.
indeed did not speak lintil they came
80 near that | could make them out
II am your friend Margery mine; as
good friend as you VIII let me be. And
as between Richard Jennifcr and another,
! should be sorry friend to Dick did |
not"
She heard the clink OF horseshoes on
the gravel and turned, signing to NE for
silence while she looked below. The win
dow overhuug the entrance ON that side,
through the opened air easement | heard
some babblenent of voices, though not
the words.
81 must GO down." she said '"'ris COM
pany come aud my father is away"
She passed behind my chair. and, hear
Ing her nand upon the latch, | had
thought her gone-gone down to welcome
my enemy and his riding mate. the fac
tor But willie ! was cursng my unready
tongue and repenting that had not Civ
en- her some small word of warning, she
spoke again
You say Richard Jennifer or another
what know you of any other Monsieur
John?"
Nay, I know nothing save what you
nave told me; and from that | have been
hoping there was no other"
But If | say there may be-"
My heart went sick at that. True, l
had thought to give her generously to
Dick, whose right was paramount: but
to another
Margery. come hither where I may see
you.' And when she stood before me
Ike hidden child: Tell me, little
who is that other?"
But now her mood was changed, and
from standing sweet and pensive 81, fell
a-laugh.ng.
"Whut impudencer' she cried. "Ma
fol- You should borrow Pere Matthews
cassock and breviary then. mayhap, |
might confess to you. But not befor,.."
But still | pressed her
Tell me, Margery.'
She tossed her head and would not
look at me Dick Jennifer is but a Low.
suppose this other We're man ull
grown"
Yes"
And soldier
fire.
20, Margery! Don't tell me 1t is this
fiend who came just now"'
All In flash the testing mood was
gone but that which took its place was
strange to me. Tears came; her bosom
heaVed. And then she would have passed
me but caught her hands and held them
fast.
"MarSery, one moment; for your own
sweet sake, If not for Dicks or mine. have
naught to do with this devils emissarv
or a man. If you only knew-if dared
tell YOU"
But for once. 1t seemed, had stretched
my privilege beyond the limit. She
whipped her hands from my hold and
faced me coldly.
sir Francis says you are brave gen.
.ierlan, captain lreton, and though he
KNOWS well what you would be about,
ne mas not sent file of men to put you
in arrest And in return YOU call him
names behind his back. l shall not stay
to listen, sir"
With that she passed again behind nv
chair and once again l heard her hand
upon the latch But would say nv saw.
Forgive me. Margery. l pray YOU:
twas only what you said that made mo
mad. It's less than naught If you,3
deny it,
l waited long and patiently, and thought
she must have gone before her answer
came And this IS what she said
II | must tell you then; it's now two
weeks and more since Sir Francis Fal-
comet asked me to marry him. II hone
you do feel better, Captain Ireton."
Ana with these bitterest of all words
to her leave-taking, she left me to on.
oure az best might the hell of torment
they had lighted for me.