The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1906-01-05

| vas d iIlNIl cludkeu, Halteu, booted ana
,purrad as for the road. AL her cry
ae DOTTED his hat and I.
My dears. j shall never be able to
iraw for you the hideous death-mask
this man vas wearing for a face.
Scanned and SCARED. shi.iveled and liv-
id In purple III crimson weltS. you.
would think a ~nine-thonged whip of
fire had scourged out every semblancc
OF coineliness. leaving only the skeleton
frame on which to hang this CHASTITY
caricature OF a human face. Fearing
him not at all. l could scarce forbear
a shudder at the sight OF this walking
death-,nask OF the libertine, Sir Fran
els I'nlconnet.
And II his face were terrifying in re-
pose, twas fair demonaic when he
laughed.
Hal" he said. bowling again In a
lnockery of politeness. You are SUI
prised. Mistress Margery; you heard
my lords order and thought / would be
by now some miles on the road to Sails
bury"
IF you We're 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 lordship di-
rected." And then. with a gesture that
was most queenly: Stand aside, Sir
libertine, and let me pass"
His answer was another mockinE
A$S06Hs wv iC lSppS H"lllllI ~ ClJSt"
he door and lock 1T. When he turned
to front her again his face was the
face OF a tormented devil.
by God! you think too lightly OF
me. Mistress Margery. Before ever this
day dawned | owed you much, but like
a splteful little hellicat you must needs
q to the score by making me II tar
get for your wit at the supper table.
Twill cost a 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 1
marked that the hand that held the
candlestick was as steady as a rock.
But when he made an end she flung a
quick glance over her shoulder and my
heart leaped for joy. For then knew
she was leaning upon me.
Once more, Captain Falconnct, will
YOU let me pass:" she said.
mol" he snarled. adding a horrid
blasphemy. "'Twas passion in me
once, and I am none so sure there was
not a time When you could have cooled
1t into love. But now it's hatred and
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 l could drive
the point of the Ferara between his
ribs. But my dear lady would not have
1t SO.
mo. no.! for the love of heaven, not
that, Monsieur joint" 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" I said. coldly. IF he had a
dozen lives i should take them all for
that which he said to YOU"
"But not that way-oh. not that wav.
T do besech you!" she begged. ~rhin,s
Of what It win mean to
to me. For YOUR own sake. Monsieur.
.Iohn." 49,
r took NV heel from the mans hac
Your wish Is law to me dear lady
hui vonr way ia clear now. Won NAY
ro.'
She took 81 stem toward the door.
"Ynu will not Kill hin, when r an,
pona Monsie,1r Johno"
"Rv tha name . hea,s he wac
doubtless horn >. re%ntlernan. since vn'
wish ~ he shah de like one
T"saw she did not fake nv meaninp.
that when she was O 1 should let
hi,n. ha,.a his chnnca ~ die sv.o,,l, T.,
~. ~ t@s 10 '"oi" ~