The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-18
CHAPTER XXI.

had grown all at once exceed
Ol in ely still stl .~o., ..,u.r
covering from his paroxysms, had be-
gun to bestow some intelligent interest
upon the scene. There was a mist of
doubt in his eyes as he gazed from the
victimized but very lively lady to her
crestfallen violent abductor," and
then to the gloomy countenance of the
newcomer on the threshold. There
seemed to be, it struck him, a prodi-
gious elaboration in Mistress kittys
Cry and start of surprise.
What is my pretty Bellairs up to
now? Well, poor Irish Denis with all
his wits is no match for her anyhow,
and, faith, she knows it, thought he
Aloud he said. with great placidity.
File, fie; this is shocking to hear!' and
sat, the good humored chorus to the
comedy, on the edge of the table,
waiting for the development of the
next scene.
Sir Jasper, wiping a beaded brow and
still staring, as if by the sheer fixing
of his bloodshot eye he could turn these
disappointing puppets into the proper
objects of his vengeance, was quite I'M
able to follow any current but the
muddy whirl of his own thoughts.
Lord Verney alone it was, therefore,
who rose at all to Mistress Kitty's sit
uation.
''Are you the scoundrel, them" said
he, marching upon O'Hara, ''who dared
to lay hands upon an unprotected lady
ix, e ID
"Monstrous." remarked Captain Spi-
Ger behind him. Then jogging his pa
irons elbow, TWAS we'll spoke, Yer
ney, man. At him again; there's blood
in this
Mr.. O'Hara looked steadily at Lord
Verney, glancing contemptuously at
Captain Spicer, and then with long, full
searching at the beguiling widow.
She thought to scent danger to herself
in the air; and, womanlike, she seized
unScrupulously Upon the sharpest
weapon in her armory.
Perhaps" she said, with an angry,
scornful laugh, "Mr. O'Hara will now
deny that he and his servants attacked
my chairmen in the dark, threw me,
screaming with terror, into his carriage,
and that his intention was avowedly
to wed me by force in London tomor-
row.
All eyes were fixed on the Irishman,
and silence waited upon his reply. He
had grown so pale that his red head
seemed to fame by contrast. He made
a low bow.
mo, Kitty" said he in a very gentle
voice, 81 deny nothing" Then sweep
ing the company with naughty glance.
This lady, said he, has spoken truth;
as for me, am ready to meet the con-
sequences of my conduct"
His eyes finally rested once more on
Lord verney. The latter grew white
and then scarlet, while Spicer whis-
pered and again logged.
"Of course. clustered the youth,
and wished that he had the curious
digestion of his contemporaries, that
his stomach did not so squeamishly
rebel at the prospect Of dose of steel;
"of course, sir, you must be aware
1T shall be swords interrupted the
irrepressible Spicer. land, sir, what
my noble friend will have left of your
body will myself make mince of this
night! Aye. SIR said the captain, as
tOulSueQ dl MS own NalOF, Skipping Ills |
bony chest and beginning to squint as
was his wont under excitement. II will
fight you myself, sir"'
Fight you.' exclaimed O'Hara, sud- |
denly stung into magnificent contempt. |
Flight you, sir''-he ran a whitening |
eye over the grasshopper anatomy of |
the toady as he spoke-.you, sir, you,
the writer of that dirty note this morn
ing, bidding me apologize-apologize
cried Denis, with his most luscious
the man. Sir Jasper. there,
for having insulted you on the sub
Ject of your miserable mealy head
fight you, sir? Sure. rather than fight
you" said Mr.. O'Hara, searching for the
most emphatic asseveration conceiv
able. I'D never fight again for the rest
Of my lifel But I'll tell you what I'll
do for you. Next time you thrust that
ugly face of yours within the reach
Of me arm I'll pull your nose till its
as long as your tongue and as slender
IS yer eourage.
"Oh. what a low scoundrel.' muir
INJURED Captain SPicer, withdrawing
,.,icLIy serersls uacessand with an in