The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-06-09
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
CHAPTER xI.-continued.

ance. Though I q promised readily
enough to make my lie a truth, 1 saw
that all a yet contingent upon my
lady's viewing OF the proposal. That
I could win her ove I "a some hope,
II only they would leave the task for
me. But there was room to fear that
this poor mieer father would make 1t
all q thing OF property and 30 provoke
her to resistance. And, n~otwithstand-
ing what he said-that she would do as
she was bid thought I knew her tenn
per we'll enough to prophesy q hitch.
For I made sure of one thing. that II
she Put her will against the world. the
world would never her.
Twas past midnight. with Tybee doz-
ing In his chair. when next I heard
some STRINGS in the corridor. As be-
bar that reused my friendly guard.
and when he went to parley at the
door I stood apart and turned my back.
When I looked again my company
was come. At the table, busted with q
ducal title deed Tor size, stood Gilbert
Stair and the factor-lawyer, Owen
Pengarvin. A little back Of them the
on his arm. And in the corner Tybee
stood to keep the door.
1 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. She gave me
nothing OF encouragement, nor yet a
OF any kind Ito lead to what 1t was
that she would have me to say or do.
AS I had seen 1t last, under the light Of
the f1aring torches in the room below,
her face was cold and still; and h
was standing motionless beside the
priest, looking straight at me, it SEEM
ed. with eyes that saw nothing.
IA AL- -rI~ al
the silence, saying, with his predeter-
mined smirk. that the parchment was
ready for my signature. Thinking it
we'll beneath me to neasu words with
this knavish pettifogger, l looked be-
yond him n spoke to his master.
II o hav a word or two in priv
ate with your daughter before this
said.
My lady dropped the priests arm and
came to stand beside me in the win
dow-bay. I offered her a cha but she
refused to sit. There was SO little time
to spare that /. must needs begin with
out preliminary.
What has your father told you,
Margery?' I asked.
He tells me nothing that I are 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 1t Of your
own free will?"
NO"
"Yet it must be done"
$50 he says, and so you say. But I
had rather die"
"'Tis not a pleasing thing, I grant
you. Margery; Notwithstanding, Of our
two evils it is by far the less. Be-
4 S,1 ,.o,, n SSSc hy,t {hn g. W
ing of a few words by the priest, and
the hearing of my name for some short
while till you can change it for a bet
ter"
Her deep-welled eyes met mine, and
in them was a flash of anger.
els hat what marriage means to
you. Captain Ireton?"
mo truly. But we have no choice.
IT'S this, or I must leave you in the
morning to worse things than the bear
ing of my name. l would it a not
thus been thrust upon US, but l could
see no other way"
"See what comes Of tampering with
the TRUTH" she saio, and I could see
her short lip curl with scorn. Why
should you lie and lie again. when any
one could see hat it must come to this
or worSe?"
II saw it not 1 said. but had 1
stopped to look beyond the moments
need and seen the end from the begin
ming, I fear I should have lied yet other
times. Your honor was at stake, dear
lady"
my honor!"-this in bitterest irony.
What is a woman's honor, sir, when
you or any man has patched and sewed
and sought to make it whole again? I
will not say the word you'd have me
say!"
But you must say it, Margery. IT'S
I,,% $lo H,0~oc fr~y, 1y0,1 fo~ra< tho
you will be. a wife only in name. I
shall not live to make you rue It,"
You make me rue it now, before
hand. Mon Dieu! is a woman but a
thing, to stand before the priest and
plight her troth for interest form?'
You'll make me hate you while I live
and after!"
You'd nate me worse. Margery dear,
Il I should leave you drowning in this
ditch. And I can bear your hatred for
some few hours, knowing that If I
sinned n robbed you, I did make
restitution as I could"
She heard me through with eyelids
down and some fierce storm Of passion
shaking her. And when she answered
her voice was low and soft; yet it cut
me like a knife.
You drive me to it-listen, sir, you
drive me to 1t! And I have said that 1
shall hate you for it. Come; it's but a
mockery, as you say; n they are
waiting"
I sought to take her hand and lead
her forth, but this she would not suf-
fer. She walked beside me, proud and
cold and scornful; stood beside me
while I sat n read the parchment
over. 1t was no marriage settlement;
it was a will, drawn out in legal form.
And in 1t I bequeathed to Margery
Ireton as her true jointure. not any
claim of mine to Appleby Hundred, but
the estate itself.
I read it through as I nave said, and.
looking across to these two plotters.
The miser-master and his henchman,
smiled as I had never thought to smile
again.
so" said I. 1.-The truth is out at last.
I wondered IL the conhscation act had
left you wholly scatheless, Mr.. Stair.
Well, I am content. I shall die the
easier for knowing that I have lain a
guest in my own house. Give me the
pen"
Twas given quickly, and I signed the
will, with Tybee and the lawyer for
the witnesses; Margery standing by
the while and looking on though not,
I made sure, with any realizing OF the
business matter.
When all vas done the priest found
a. -