The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-08-07

topping him by eight inches. 'and II
n man hints that Master BERTHE is
here for any other purpose or with any
other intent than to honestly risk his
life in this endeavor as becomes q gen
tleman let him stand out, let him stand
out, and 1 will break his neck! File.
gentlemen, f1e!" I continued, after q
short pause, which l did not make too
long lest Master Kingston's passion
should get the better OF his prudence.
Ice. But I never saw battle won yet
with dissension in the camp. For
shame! Let us to business and make
the best dispositions we may"
You ak sense, Master Careyl" Pen
ruddocke cried, with a great saith.
Give me your hand, and do you, King
ston. hold your peace. If Master BERTHE
will not raise his men to save his own
skin, he Will hardly do it for ours. Now,
Sir Richard Bray being taken. what is
to be done, my lads? Come, let US look
to that"
So the storm blew over. But II was
with heavy hearts that two Of us fell
to the discussion which followed, count
ing over weapons and assigning posts
and debating this ones fidelity and tha
ones lukewarmness. Our first impress
sions had not deceived US. The plot
was desperate, al those engaged in 1t
" ~ AL wv i
should command success-in informa-
ton. forethought, arrangement-every-
thing save sheer audacity. When, after
a prolonged and miserable sitting, 1t
| was proposed that all should take the
oath of association on the gospels.
Master BERTHE and l assented gloomi1y.
1t would make our position no worse.
for already we were fully committed.
h position was indeed bad enough.
We had only persuaded the others to a
short delay, and even this meant that
we must remain in hiding in England,
exposed from day to day to all the
chances OF detection and treachery.
Sir horna brought out from some
secret place about him a tiny roll of
paper wrapped in a quill, n while we
stood about him looking yer his shoul-
ders he ~laboriously added, letter by let
ter. three or four names. The stern,
anxious faces which peered the while
at the document or scanned each other
only to find their anxiety reflected. the
f1aring lights behind us, the reckless
ness of some and the distrust OF 9TH
ers. the cloaks in which many were
wrapped to the chin, and the occasional
CLEAN of hidden weapons, made up a
scene very striking, the more as 1t was
no mere show, but some OF us saw only
too distinctly behind it the figure OF the
headsman and the block.
"Now," said ~Penruddocke, who him
self, I think. took a certain grim pleas
ure In the formality, "be ready to
swear. gentlemen. in pairs, as I call
the names. Kingston and Matthew
son."
Lolling against the wall under one
Of the sconces, 1 looked at Master
BERTHE, expecting to be called up
with him. He smiled as our
rush Of tenderness how lightly I
could have dared the worst had all
my associates been like him. But re.
pining came too late, and in a mo-
ment P~enruddocke surprised me by
calling out "Crewdson and Carey"
companion? l learned afterward tina
men who We're strangers to one an
other were purposely associated, the
theory being that each should keep
an eye upon his oath fellow. I went
forward to the enc of the table and
took the book.
"crewdson,. called called pa P~snruddock.
sharply. Did you not hear, man?"
en there as Vas a little stir at the farther
ward. moving slowly and reluctantly.
Pe naw sa%s H had fa sal} fsf B EaR w ARsR
We entered. a man of great height,
dropping gray mustache covered his
mouth, and that was almost all 1 made
out before Sir Thomas, with some
sharpness. babe him uncover. He did
so with an abrupt gesture, and reach
ing out his hand grasped the other
end OF the book as though he would
talk 1T from me. His manner was
so strange that I looked hard at him
and he, jerking up his head with a
gesture Of defiance, looked at me. too.
his face very pale.
1 heard P~enruddocke's voice dron-
ing the words Of the oath, but I paid
no attention to them was busted
With something else. Where had l seen
the sinister CLEAN in those eyes be-
fore, n that forehead high and mar
row, and those lean. swarthy cheeks?
Where had I before confronted that
very face which now glanced into mine
across the book? Its look was bold
and defiant, but low down in the cheek
1 saw q little pulse beating furiously.
a pulse which told Of anxiety. and
the jaws. half yelled by the ragged
Where? Ha! knew. l dropped my
Look to the door!" I cried. nv
voice sounding harsh and strange In
my own ears. Let no ono leave
%denounce that mani" And raising NV
hand I pointed pitilessly at my oath
fellow. II denounce him-he is a spy
and traitor!" -
y a spy" the man shouted fiercely,
with the fierceness Of despair.
Aye. you, you! Clarence or Crewd-
son, or whatever you call yourself.
~denounce you! My time has come"
(Contisued Next Week.1
--
New Mediums in decoration.
That cement and concrete are des-
tined to supplant to a large extent
stone. terra Gotta, marble and other
materials now used for decorative pur-