The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-06-09

"Never!" I denied. $50 far as de-
cent speech could compass 1t, I nave
ever sought to tell her what o con-
scienceless villain you are"
He laughed again at that.
You know women but indifferently.
my captain. II you think to breach q
love affair by a cannonade of hard
words. But I am In nc hunnor to dis
pute with you. You have lost. and I.
nave won, and, were / not here to come.
between, you'd look you last upon the.
things of earth in shortest order, I dc.
assure you." y
"You?-you come between?" I scoffed-
You are all kinds of a knave, Sir
Francis, but you worst enemy never
accused you of being a fool!"
There was a look in his eyes that I
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 and lot for
that same youngsters misdeeds. Have
o never a touch Of human kindness
in you?"
To know how this affected me o
must turn back to that place where 1
have tBied to picture out this man for
you. I said he had a gift to turn q
woman's head or touch her heart. I
should hav said that he could use this,
gift at will on my one. For the mo-
ment I forgot his cool disposal of ms
in the talk with Captain Stuart: forgot
how he had lied to make mi out a spy
and 80 had brought me to this pass.
So I could only say You killed my
friend, Frank Falconnet, and"
"Tush!" said he. THAT quarrel died.
nine ear ago. Your reviving Of It
10 Is but a mask"
For what?" I asked.
For your just resentment in sweet
Margery's behalf. Believe 1t or not, 40
you like, but I could love you for that
been losing cursedly at cards that day,
and mine hosts wine had a dash of US
quebaugh in 1t, I dare swear. At any
rate, l knew not what 1t was I said till
Tybee sale it over for me-"
But the next morning you took q
ours advantage Of me on this very spot
and ran me through" I countered.
Name 1t what you will and let it go
at that. There was murder in you eye,
and you are the better swordsman.
You put me upon 1t for my life, and
when you gave me leave, l did not kill
you, as I might" T.,
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 n used your privilege
against me. AS an enemy who merely
sought my life for ~vengeance's sake I
could spare you, but as a rival"
I laughed, n sanity began to come
again. Make an end Of it." I said
I'D rather hear the muskets speak
than"
For reply he took a folded paper
from his pocket and spread and held 1T
so that I might read. It was a letter
from my Lord CORVALLIS, directing
Captain Falconnet to send his prisoner,
Captain John Ireton, sometime lieuten-s
ant in the Royal Scots Blues. under
guard to his lordship's headquarters in
South Carolina.
"Can you read it?" he asked.
I nodded.
wen, this supersedes the colonel's
sentence. If I say the word to Ensign.
Farquharson you will be remanded."
ITO be shot or hanged a little later,
I suppose?'
mo. Have o any notion why my
Lord Charles is sending for you?"
NO." said 1, in my turn; and, in
deed, I had not.
He knows your record as an officer
and would give you a chance to list.
in your old SERVICE
II would not take it-at your hands
or his
You'd best take It. But In any
event, you'll have your life and honor
Make an end" I said again. II I'M
derstand you will obey his lordship's
order, or disregard it, as your own In
terest directs. What would you have
me do?"
"a very little thing to weigh against
a life. MI. Gilbert Stair is my very
good friend"
I let that go uncontradicted.
His title to the estate is secure,
enough, as you know. but you can,