The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-04-07
paying. How came you to quarrel with

him, JACKIE
Now even so blunt soldier as have
ever been may have some prickings OF
delcacy where the truth might breed
sossip-gossip about a tale which |
had said should die with Richard Gov
erdale and be buried in his grave so
I evaded the question, cl,lnsily enough,
as has ever been my hap in fencing
with words.
THE cause was not wanting. If any
ask. you may say he trod upon my
foot in passing
Jennfer laughed.
and for that you struck him? HeaV-
ems, man. you hold your life carelessly.
DO you happen to know that this vol /
unteer captain of lighthouse is ac-
counted the best blade in the troop"
who should know that better
than" l was fairly on the brink Of
betraying the true cause of quarrel, !
but drew rein in time. Il care not II
he We're the best in the army. l have
crossed steel before-and with good
swordsman now and then
"Anan?" said Jennifer, as one who
makes no doubt And then: But this
toe pinching story is but dry crust
to offer a friend. You spoke of lady
who was she? Or was that only anoth-
er way of telling me to mind my own
affairs?"
oh as to that; the lady was real
enough, and Falconnet did grossly as
perse her. But l know not who she is,
nor aught about her. save that she is
sweet and fair and good to look upon
| "Young?"
aye"
And you say you do not know her?
| Let me see her through your eyes and
mayhap l can name her for YOU
THAT I cannot. Mr.. Peale's best
skill would be none too great for the
| painting of any picture that should do
] 7, I),,t CHI ie.C ,a11 wit ha
airs and graces of lady of the quail
ity: also. she has witching blue eyes,
and hair that has the CLINT of summer
sunshine in it. Also, she sits horse
as if bred to the saddle"
To my amazement. Jennifer leaped
up with an oath and flung his pipe into
the fire
dared lay a foul tongue to her, you
say? Tell me what he said. l have
good right to know"
I shook my head. NAY Richard; I
may not repeat it to you, since you are
the mans second. Truly there is more
than this at the back of our quarrel;
but of itself it was enough. and more
than enough. inasmuch as the lady had
just done him the honor to recognize
him.
His words-his very words, Jack, if
you love mel"
NO; the quarrel is mine"
by God! it is not yours! he
stormed. raging back and forth before
the fire. what is Margery Stair to
you. Jack Ireton?"
: I smiled. beginning now to see some
!. peephoe in this milestone of mystery
."Margery Stair? She is no more than
+ a name to me, I do assure you; the
daughter of the man who sits In my
fathers seat at Appleby Hundred
, But you are going to fight for herr
he retOrted.
y Am 1? I pledge you my word die
; not know it. But in any case I should
. fight Sir Francis Falconnet; aye, ant
do my best to kill him, too. Sit yol
down and All another pipe Whatevel
the quarrel. it is mine"
: "Mayhap; but it is mine, too" HI
broke in, angrily at all events. II
!, see this kings volunteer we'll hanged
y before I second him in such cause
q THAT as you choose. But you arr
. bound in honor, are you nct?
:, NO" He filed fresh pipe, LIGHTED
q 1t with coal from the hearth. AM
a puffed away in silence for a time
: When he spoke again 1t was not a
Falconnets next friend.
= What you have told me puts ney
!. face on the matter, Jack. Sir Franci
- may find him another second where h
=, can. If he has ought to say, shall te
!. !. him plain he lied to me about tn
quarrel, as ne ulu NO" WIZ Is liel
:, to see fair play on your side. job
- Ireton?"
y. At the question an overwhelmn
, sense Of my own sorry case graDple
:. me- Fifteen years before, I had lei
- Appleby Hundred and my native prov
y ince as we'll befriended as the son {
Roger Ireton was sure to be. An
~ now
d "Dick. my lad, I am like to figl
60 90 alone" said I.
~ He swore again at that; and her
q lest should draw my loyal Richa1
as he was not, let me gay. once for a
er that his oaths were bit the outgusf
E. ings of a warm and impulsive hear
~ rarely bitter, and never, as I believ
5 backed by surly rancor or consciol
:, irreverence.
"a. THAT you shall not. jack he asser
a. ed stoutly. Il must be a-gallop now
y; tell this kings captain to look els
40 where for his next friend: but tomo
en- Il. row morning I'll meet you in the rot
IL between this and the Stair outlanC
ne and We'll fare on together
az After this he would brook no mo
ne delay: and when Tomas had fetch
~ his horse I saw him mount and RI
ar away under the low hanging naples
e. watched him fairly out of sight In t
at green and gold twilight of the gre
a forest before turning back to my lone
eld hearth and its somber reminders.
Continued Next Week.)
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