The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1906-01-11

which the mulatto had but now passed
vas a man cloaKed, matted, booted and
;purrad as for the road. At her cry
le dotted his hat and
My dears, l shall never be able to
lraw for you the hideous death-mask
his man was wearing for a face.
Scanned and SCARED, shriVeled n liV-
id in purple and crimson Wclts, you
Would think a n~ine-thonged whip Of
fire had scourgad out every semblance
of comcliness, leaving only the skeleton
frame on which to hang this CHASTITY
garicature Of a human face. Fearing
him not at all, I could scarce forbear
Z shudder at the sight OF this walking
death-mask Of the libertine, Sir Fran
els talConEet.
And If his face were terrifying in re-
pose, twas fair demonaic when he
laughed.
"TIa!" he said, bowling again IN a
mockery OF politencss. You are sur
prised, Mistress Margery; you heard
my lords order and thought I would be
by now some miles on the road to Sails
buly?"
"ft YOU were the loyal soldier you
should be, sir" she said, drawing her
self up proudly, you would be at the
head of your troop, as his lorIship di-
rectcd.' And then, with a gesture that
was most quecnly: stand aside, Sir
Llbeftlne, and let me pass
His answer was another knocking
laugh, and he stepped within to close
the door and lock it. When he turned
to front her again his face was the
face OF q toCmentcd devil.
BY God! you think too lightly OF
me, Mistress Margery. Before ever this
day daNTned owed you much, but like
a Spitcful little hellicat you must needs
add to the score, by making me q tar
get for your wit at The supper table.
Twill cost q life to more than one OF
them who laughed With you, my lady,
but twill cost you dearer still"
He came nearer as he spoke, thrust
ing that horrible face farther into the
circle Of candle light; but she would
not draw back nor finch a hair, and I
marked that the hand that held the
candlestick was as steady as 4 rock.
But when he made an end she flung a
quick glance over her shoulder and my
heart leaped for JOY. For then I knew
she was leaning upon me.
"Once more, Captain Falconnet, will
you let me pass?' she said.
MOI" he snarled, adding Il horrid
b~lasphemy. Twas passion in me
once, and I am none so sure there was
not a time when you could have cooled
revenge He snapped his fingers in
her face. THE thing they'll find here
in the morning.
He fell face downward at her feet,
and I set my heel in the small of his
back to hold him whilst I could drive
the point of the Ferara between his
ribs. But my lea lady would not have
it so.
no, no. for the love of heaven, not
that, Monsieur John!" she cried; and
for the moment her fine courage was all
swallowed up Of pity and she became
a compassionate woman pleading for a
life.
But now my blood was up. "You are
my wife" said, colby. IF he had a
dozen lives l should take them all for
that which he said to you"
But not that way-oh, not that way,
l do besech you'll" she begged. Think
of what it Will mean to you-and-and
TO me. For your own sake, Monsieur
john
I took my heel from the mans back.
Your wish is law TO me, dear lady.
But your way is clear now; you 10
go"
She took d step toward the door,
You will not kill him when I am
gone, Monsieur John?'
BY the name he bears he was
doubtless born a gentleman; since you
wish it, he shall die like one
l saw she did not take my meaning;
10 NiSii GIG was SoIlc L S1lOuiu let
him have his chance to die. sword in
Remember. I have your PROMISE"
she said, turning to go. The army is
on the march for Salisbury, and in a
little While your friends will be here
to"
The sentence ended in a very wom-
anly shrek of terror. Watching his
chance, my bastard enemy a bound
ed to his feet to make a quick lunge,
not at me, but at her.
Of course I came between to parry
the murderous thrust, and after that 1t
was life for one Of us and death for
the other. L looked to see my lady
shrieking; indeed, l called to her
to go, but she stood fast as if her ter
had frozen her; and SO it was her
candle that lighted the grim vault for
the duel.
AS you will know full we'll, 1 was not
TO give this thrice-accursed
more than the gentleman's chance
l had promised to give him. But now,
as twice before, he fought most des-
perately, trying by every trick Of fence
to come between me and the silent lit
tie figure holding the candle aloft. AS
l have often said, he was a pretty
sworusman, and at this crisis. with life
at stake, all the fury of the seven
devils of disappointed vengeance to
nerve his arm, his sword play was most
mastery.
Continued Next Week.>
ANCIENT JEWISH CUSTOM.