The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-05-05


Tis good and true of you to say Sc
little one: but there be two sides to tina
as we'll. So my fathers acres come a
last to you and Richard Jennifcr. l shal
be we'll content, l do assure You. Mar
gerry"
She sprang up from her low seat an
went to stand in the window bay. Afte
a time she turped and faced once again
and the warm blood was in cheek am
neck. and there was Il soft light In he
eyes 10 make them shine like stars.
Then you would have me marry Rich
ard Jennifer?' she asked.
Twas but a little word that homo
bade me say. and yet it choked me and
could not say il.
Dick would nave YOU. Margery; ant
Dick is my dear %friend-as am his"
But you?" she oueried. Were you my
friend. as we'll, is this as you woulc
nave it,
My look Went past Ter through this
iead-rimmed window-panes TO the great
oaks and hickories on the lawn: to these
and to the white road winding in and out
among them. While yet l sought for
words In which to give her unreservedly
to my dear lad. two horsemen trotted into
view. One of them was a kings man
the other n civilian in sober black. The
redcoat rode as English troopers do. with
O. VI III Sedl, DIS IL ne man were master
of his mount; but the smaller man in
black seemed little to the manner born,
and daylight shuttled in and out beneath
him. keeping time to tae jog-trot of his
beast.
l thought 1t passing strange that with
all good will to answer her. these coming
horsemen seemed to hold ne silent. And,
Indeed, ! did not speak until they came
so near that [ could make than out.
II am your friend, Margery mine: as
good a friend as you Will let me he. And
az between Richard Jennifer and another.
i should be a sorry friend to Dick did /
not
She heard the clink of h~orseshoes on
the gravel and turned. signing to me for
silence while she looked below. The win
dow overhung the entrance on that side,
through the opened air easement heard
some babblemeit of voices, though not
the words.
u must 60 down" she said. "'Tis COM
pnny come. and my father is away"
She passed behind my chair. and. hear
ing her hand upon the latch. had
thought her ~gone-gpne down to welcome
my enemy and his riding mate, the fac
tor. But Willie l was c%ursing my unready
tongue and r%epenting that | had not Civ
en- her some small word of warning. she
spoke again.
You say Richard Jennifer or another
what know you of any other, Monsieur
Jphn?'
Nay. know nothing save what you
nave told me; and from that | have been
hoping there was no other"
But IL l say there may be-"
My heart Went sick at that. Tr,le.
had thought to give her generously to
DICK. whose right was but
to another
"Margery. come hither where i may. see
you And when she stood before me
III n FIR ISxlIN~ - .pN /, So.
coFnrade, who is that other?"
But now her mood was changed. and
from standing sweet and pensive sha fell
~a-laugh.ng.
What impudence." she cried. Ma
fol! You should borrow Pere Matthews
cassock and breviary; then. mayhap. 1
might confess to you. But not before"
But still | pressed her.
Tell me. Margery.''
She tossed her head and would not
look at me "Dick Jennifer is but a 10y.
suppose this other We're a man full
grown"
..Yese"
And a soldier"
The sickness in my heart became a
fire.
20. Margery! Don't tell me it is this
f1end who came just now"
All in X flash the testing mood was
gone. but that which took its place was
strange to me. Tears came: her bosom
heaved. And then she would have passed
me but I caught her hands and held them
fast.
'MasSery, one homer for YOUR own
sweet sake. if not for Dicks or mine. have
naught to do with this DEVILS emissary
of a man. If you only knew-if l dared
tell YOU"
But for once, 1T seemed, / had stretched
my privilege beyond the limit. She
whipped her hands from nv hold AVID