The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-06-09
The MASTER OF APPLEBY|
&- BY Francis Lynde. -"$
BY Francis Lynde.
CHAPTER XI.-Continued.

that all was yet contingent upon my
lady's viewing of the proposal. That
l could win her over had some hope,
If only they would leave the task for
me. But there was room to fear that
this Door miser father would make 1t
a thing of property and so provoke
her to resistance. And, notwithstand-
ing what he said-that she would do as
she was bid thought l knew her tenn
per we'll enough to prophesy a hitch.
For l made sure of one thing. that If
she put her will against the world, the
world would never move her.
Twas past midnight. with Tybee doz-
ing in his chair, when next I heard
some STRINGS in the corridor. AS be-
fore. it was the lifting of the wooden
bar that reused my friendly guard,
and when he went to parley at the
door l stood apart and turned my back.
When l looked again my company
was come. At the table. busted with a
ducal title deed for size, stood Gilbert
Stair and the factor-lawyer, Owen
Pengarvin. A little back of them the
good old Father Matthew had Margery
on his arm. And in the corner Tybee
stood to keep the door.
l grouped them all in one swift eye
sweep, and having listed them, strove
to read some lessoning of my part in
my dear lady's face. h gave me
nothing Of encouragement. nor yet a
cue Of any lind to lead to what it was
that she would nave me to say or do.
AS l had seen it last. under the light of
the flaring torches in the room below,
her face was cold and still; and she
was standing motionless beside tbs
priest. looking straight at me, it SEEM
ed. with eyes that saw nothing.
1t was the factor-lawyer who broke
the silence, saying. with his predeter-
mined smirk, that the parchment was
ready for my signature. Thinking 1t
we'll beneath me to measur words with
this knavish pettifogger, l looked be-
You'd him and spoke to his master.
Il would have a word or two N priv
ate with your daughter before his
matter ripens further, Mr.. Stair l
said.
Ny lady dropped the priests arm and
came to stand beside me in the win
dow-bay. l offered her a chair but she
refused to sit. There was SO little time
to spare that I must needs begin with
out preliminary.
What has your father told you,
Margery?" asked.
He tells me nothing that I care to
know
But he has told you what you must
do?"
Yes" She looked with eyes that
saw me not.
And you are here to do it of your
own free will?"
NO"
Yet it must be done"
S he says, and SO you say. But I
had rather die
"'Tis not a pleasing thing, grant
you, Margery; Notwithstanding. Of our
two evils it is by far the less. Be
think you a moment: It's but the say
ing of a few words by the priest, and
the hearing of my name for some short
while till you can change 1t for a bet
ter"
Her deep-welled eyes met mine, and
in them was a flash of nge
us hat what marriage means tc
you. Captain %Ireton?"
mo truly. But we have no choice
IT'S this. or I must leave o In the
morning to worse things thai the bear
ing of my name. l would 1t had not
thus been thrust upon us, but I could
see no other way
See what comes Of tampering witt
the truth" she said, and I could see
her short lip curl with scorn why
should you lie and lie again. when any
one could see that it must come to thi:
Or WOrSe?'
q saw it not" 7 said. But had
stopped to look beyond the moment:
need and seen the end from the begin
ming. l fear l should have lied yet othe'
times. Your honor was at stake, dea,
lady
MY honor!''-this in bitterest irony
What is a woman's honor, sir, whel
YOU or any man has patched M sewet
and sought tc make 1t whole again?
will not say the word you'd have m
say"
but you must say it, Margery. I'll
but the merest form; you forget tina
- -,y
shall not live to max. you rue it."
You make me rue 1t now, before
hand. Nor Dieu! is a woman but
thing, to stand before the priest an
plight her troth for interest form
You'll make M hate you while I live
and after"
You'd hate me worse. Margery dear
If I should leave you drowning In thi
ditch. And l can bear your hatred 70
some few hours, knowing that If
sinned and robbed you. l did max
restitution as l could"
She heard me through with eyelid
down and some fierce storm of passio
shaking her. And when she answere
her voice was low and soft; yet it GU
me like a knife.
You drive me to it-listen, sir, 20
drive me to it! And I lave said that
shall hate you for it. Come: it's but
mockery, as you say; and they al
waiting"
l sought to take her and and lea
her forth, but his she woul not SUI
fer. She walked beside me, proud All
cold and scornful; stood beside n
while I sat and read the parchmer
5 over. 1t was no marriage settlement
( it was a will. drawn out in legal forn
And in it l bequeathed to Marger
1reton as her true jointure, not an
claim Of mine to Appleby Hundred, b.
! the estate itself.
1 read it through as I lave said, an
looking across to these two plotter
: the miser-master and his henchma
!, smiled as l had never thought to smi
again.
$50" said I, the truth is out at las
; | wondered If the confiscation act ha
left you wholly scatheless, Mr.. stat
l. Well. l am content. l snail die Il
y easier for knowing that l Ia lain
: uest in my own house. Give me Il
l PEN"
a Twas given quickly, and I signed II
@ will, with Tybee and the lawyer f
the witnesses; Margery standing |
u the while and looking on: though nc
Y I made sure, with any realizing Of Il
S business matter.
- When all was done the priest foul
= his book, and we stood before hin
the woman who had sworn to hate, al
I the man who, loving her to full TO
n getfulness of death itself. must yet
:. cold and formal, masking his love f
u her deal sake, and for the sake of 10,
l atty to his friend. And here aga
twas Tybee and the lawyer who we
:, the witnesses. the one well hated. Al