The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-05-26
THE MASTER OF APPLEBY|
BY Francis Lyndo. :


lady Margery. and just behind hei
some broad figure of a woman whom
knew for her stout Norman firing
maid.
She gave me little time for any word
of welcome or of depreciation. While
still l stood amazed she dragged the
woman in With her and closed the door.
AT that l found my tongue.
"Marsery! Why have you come?
1 spoke in French. and she was quick
to lay a finger on her lip.
Speak to me in English. If you
please" she whispered. Jeanne nov
nothing, and she need not know. But
you ask why / come: could L do less
than ONE dear friend?"
1 had always marveled that she could
be so knocking hard at times. and at
other tinles--as now-so soft and gen
tie. And though thought it cruel
that should have to fight my battle
not the heart to chide her.
You could have done much less.
dear laiy." l said. taking her hands in
mine: much less. and still be blame
less. You have done too much for me
already. would you had not done so
much. 1 would to God l had been
hanged before you vent upon your
knees to that
SHE freed one hand and laid a finger
OF my lip-nay, it was her palm. and IL
J. took Il dying mans fair leave and
kissed it softly, 1 think she knew it
not.
'Hush!" she commanded. rs this
Q me to harbor bitter thoughts: L
fought you might nave other things to
say to me. Monsieur John"
Their is not other thing that l may
say
Not anything at all?"
"Naught but a parting hope for you.
I hope o will be true and loyal to
yourself. Margery mia"
TO myself? l do not understand"
81 think you dol think o must
But I do not"
l turned 1t over more han one In
my mind il I should tell her all l had
feared: should tell her how l came
to kill a man and was fair set to kill
another had 1 found a wedding afoot
in the great forenoon. could not
bring myself to do 1t. and yet l thought
1t would go hard with me if l should
leave her still unwarned.
III l should try to make you UNI
derstand. you will be angry. as o
were before"
The wicker chair was close beside
the table and she sat down. And when
she spoke she had her hands tight
clasped across her knee and would not
look at me.
rs it-abOut-Sir Francis?
1T is" said l. pausing once more
upon the brink of full confession.
III waited patiently for me to speak
in slow pacings up and down before her
chair. Without, the night was calm
and still. and through the opened case
ment came the measured beat of foot
falls on the gravel where the outer
sentry kept his watch beneath the
window. Within. the single candle
battled feebly with the gloom and
lighted naught for. me save my dear
lady's face. pensive now and sanity
sweet as 1t had been that morning
when l had dwelt upon it and the while
she knew it not. And in the back
ground stood the sleepy tire-woman.
giving no sign of life save now and
then a tortured yawn behind her hand.
l think my lady must have known
how hard it was for me to speak. for,
when the silence had grown overlong.
she said gently: II bought these fly
ing minutes Of the sentry. Monsieur
John. Will you not use them?"
IF 1 should say the Wing 1 ought
to say, you'll think the minutes dearly
bought. 1 fear"
NO. that 1 shall not, If it will ease
your mind"
Then tell me why you sent for Fa-
lllel NlittiIitu.
The light was dim. as I have said.
yet l could see the faint flush spread
from neck to cheek.
You are not of the church. Mon
ieur John. You would not understand
if 1 hould tell you
Il think l understand without your
telling. You said Sir Francis Falcon
net had asked for YOU"
"'Twas you who drove me to say It,"
Because I tried to warn you?"
Because % would be vengeful
when you should have been forgivlng."
TWAS not revenge. just then,
though while I live l shall w ample
to hate this man."
"What was it. them"
ut was love; love for you and-and
Richard Jennifer."
She rose, and 1 could see her eyes
ashine for all the half-gloom of the
candle light.
You are a loyal friend!" she said.
and there was that within the words
dawn should have In store for me.
You always think OF others first; you
think OF others now. when-when
death-Oh. Monsieur John! what can
1 do for you? Say quick! The maj is
coming to the door!"
Now. 1 have told you this, there is
but one other thing, Margery, dear;
SAC = ShAAo No. 800 az nv
die in peace. II I might have ten words
with Richard Jennifer-'
She left me in a fever-lutter OF ex-
element. whipped to the door. and had
a word with him who stood without.
1 heard the clink of coin. n then she
fastened back to me. all eagerness and
tremulous Impotence.
Tell me-tell me instantly what I
must do. 1 am not afraid. Shall l ride
down to Jennifer House and fetch Dick
here?"
II is a prisoner, and If
he We're not. they would
not let him see me. Besides, 1 would
not let you go on such an GRAND And
yet-God help me. Margery! there is
many an innocent life hanging on this:
the lives of helpless women and little
children. Have you ever a messenger
TO send, a man who will risk his life
and can be trusted fully?"
Yes, yes!" she cried. Write it down
for me and Dick shall have it. Quick;
for Our Lady's sake, be quick about
it! o Sancta Maria. mater Del"
The low i;npassioned chant of the
Roman litany was ringing In my ears
as l sat down to the able to write my
message to Richard Jennifer. There
were quilts and an ink-pot at hand, but
not paper. l felt In my pocket and
found, not some old letter, as l hoped,