The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-12-23

and another to kick the logs on the
hearth; one thing to have the deeds
or another-in the west-to pass the
punch bowl! More, by token, it Ia 9
hospitable country this, colonel, and II
there is n thing would annoy The
McMurrough and the young lady, his
sister, more thar another, 1t would be
TO turn a guest from the door-that Is
thought to be theirs!"
You mean that you will not take my
bidding?" the colonel said.
Not the least taste in life," Asgill
answered gayly. unless 1t Is backed by
the gentleman or the lady"
Yet l believe, sir. that I have q
means to persuade YOU" Colonel John
replied. 1T is no more than a week
ago, MI. Asgill, since a number of per-
sons In my presence assumed a badge
so VIGOROUSLY reasonable that a child
could no doubt its meaning"
In III west Of Ireland" Asgill said
with a twinkle In his eye. that Is a
trif1e my dear sir. not worth naming
But II reported in the east?"
Asgill averted his face that its smile
might not be seen. We'll" he said, 1T
might be a serious matter there"
Il think you take me now" Colonel
John replied. II wish to use no threats.
The least said the soonest mended."
Asgill looked at him with the amuse-
$4,000 Va "a AAoAA liz dItoPd
emit scheming Of a child. "As you say.
the least said the bones mended," he
rejoined. 'So-who is to report it In
the east?"
II will, If necessary"
IF o push me to it,
Asgill raised his eyebrows imperti-
nently. An informer?" he said.
Colonel John did not finch. IF nee
essary," he repeated.
That would be serious" Asgill re-
joined, for many people. In the first
place, for the young lady, your ward.
Colonel. Then for your kinsman-and
Mr.. Ulick Sullivan. After that for quite
a. number of honest gentlemen whose
only fault is a tendency to heroics after
dinner. 1t would be so serious. n for
so many, Colonel, that. for my part, I
should be glad to suffer in such good
company. Particularly" he continued,
with q droll look, the droller for his
appreciation of the Colonel's face of
discontinue, las being a Protestant
and a justice, / should, ten to one, be
the only person against whom the story
would not ass So that, ten to one,
l should go free and the others go to
Geordie's prison"
Colonel John was fairly defeated, his
flank turned, his guns captured. He
q counted so surely on the man
whom he knew to be a knave proving
also a coward that even his anger
could not hide his discontinue. He
looked, indeed, so rueful, and at the
same time so wrathful, that Asgill
laughed aloud.
Come, Colonel he said, ut is no
use to scowl at me. We know you
never call any n out. Let me lust
hint that wits in Ireland are not quite
so slow as in colder countries, and that
a beer here a week back o had
found it so easy to-
7 what, sir?"
ITO send two old women to sea in a
c%ockboat," Asgill replied. And he
laughed anew and loudly. But this
time there was no gayety in his laugh.
II the Colonel had not performed the
feat In question. in how different a
state things might have been at this
Asgill felt murderous toward
him as he thought Of that and the
weapon of the flesh being put of the
question-for he had no mind to face
the Colonel's small sword-he sought
about for an arm Of another kind.
by token" he cone.nued; "if you
are going to turn informer, It was a
pity you did not send the young woman
to sea with the old ones. But I'm
thinking. you'd not be liking to be
without her, Colonel?"
Colonel John turned surprisingly red.
we will leave her out Of the question,
he said, haughtily. "Or-that re-
minds me-" he continued, with increas-
ing sternness. you question my right
to bid you begone."-
Il do" Asgill cried, with zest. He
was beginning to enjoy himself.
But you forget, / think, another lit
tie matter in h past that is known
to me-and that you would not like
disclosed, I believe. sir"
You seem to have been raking
things up, Colonel"
Zone must deal with a rogue accord
ing to his roguery," Colonel John re-
Asgilrs face grew dark. He made a
movement. but restrained himself.
don't mince matters" he said.
II do not"
You may be finding 1t an unfortu-
nate policy before long" Asgill said
between his teeth. He was moved at
last, angered, perhaps apprehensive of
was coming.
May be, sir" Colonel John returned
may be. But in the meantime let me
you that your tricks as q horse
would not go far to recommend
you as a guest to my kinswoman."
"Oh!"
WHO shall assuredly hear who
seized her mare IL you persist in fore
.ng your company upon her."
Upon her% Asgil repeated, in a
tone II see."
Colonel John Redeemed. you know
low," he said. And II you persist"
You will tell her." Asgill took him
Up, that I-shall. I say-abducted her
Il shall tell her without hesitation"
COR scruple?"
Colonel Sullivan glowered at him.
,ut did not answer
Asgill laughed a laugh of honest con-
.empt. And she," he said, will not
believe you IL you swear 1t a score
If ines. Try, sir! You will injure
you will not injure me. why.
man," he continued, in a tone of
corn, you are dulIer than
thought you were. The ice is still in
your wits and the fog in your brain.
thought, when I heard what you had
lone, that you were the man for Kerry.
What is it? What's this?"
The speaker was James McMurrougb.
had approached unnoticed and his
,hurlish tone showed that what he
overheard was not to his liking.
Asgill supposed that James iii
was directed against his enemy. |
he appealed to him.
What is it?" he answered. with on
,rgy. I'll tell you"
Then you'll be telling me indoors
answered CURLY.
NO" said Colonel Sullivan.
Continued Next Weekly
Utmost continuously for 25 years. The
for wears was n astar 90 +h,.