Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-12-03

may have mercy upon him."
"He is not dead?" The McMurrough
cried, his voice rising on the last word.
II have little doubt he Is" the Col
onel replied. Dead, sir. And the men
who were with him-dead also, or the
most part of them. Dead, James Nc
! Murrough, on the errand they went for
YOU"
The shock Of the news struck the
young man dumb, and for some mo-
ments he stared at the Colonel, his face
colorless. At length, "all dead?" he
whispered, mot ALP"
For what l know" Colonel John re-
piled. Heaven forgive them!' And
in half a dozen sentences he told him
what had happened. Then, they are
the first FRUITS he continued sternly.
God grant that they be the last fruits
OF this reckless plot! Not that / blame
them, who did but as they were bid.
! Nor do I blame any man or any m
who embarked on this with a single
heart, for the sake of an end which
they set above their own lives. But
but''-and Colonel Johns voice grew
more grave-'there was n who had
not a single heart. There was n who
was willing to do murder, not in blind
obedience, nor for a great cause, but to
serve his own private interests"
mo! MOI" the young man cried,
covering before him. 1T is not true!"
lone who was ready to do murder"
Colonel John continued pitilessly, be
cause it suited him to remove a mani"
NO! Mo-" the wretched youth cried.
almost grovelling before him. 1T was
all Of them!-it was ALL"
ut was not ALL" Colonel John re-
torted; but there was a keenness in
his face which showed that he had still
something to learn.
ut was-those two-on deck!' The
McMurrough cried eagerly. Il swear
1t was! They said-it was necessary"
They were one with you In condemn
ing! Be 1t so! l believe you! But who
spared?"
IT" The McMurrough cried, breath
lessly eager to exculpate himself. 1T
was l alone. / swear it! l sent the
boy!"
you spared? Yes, and you alone!"
the Colonel made answer. You spared
because you learned that I had made a
viii, and o feared lest that which
had passed to me in trust might pass
TO a stranger for good and all! You
spared because it was to our interest,
your advantage! / say, out of your
own mouth you are condemned"
James McMurrough had scarcely
force TO follow the pltiless reasoning by
Which the elder man convicted him. But
his conscience filled the hiatus, and
what his tongue did not own his color
less face, his terrified eyes expressed.
you have fallen into our hands"
Colonel John continued, grave as fate.
why should we not deal with you as
you would have dealt with us? MOI
the young man by a gesture had APP
pealed to those on deck-"no! They
may nave consented to my death; but
as the Judge condemns, or the soldier
kills; you for private profit and advan-
tage. Nevertheless, / shall not deal so
with you. OF can go as they are go
ing-abroad, to return, / hope, a wiser
"Or-what?' the young man cried
hurriedly.
"Or you can stay here" Colonel John
continued, "and we will treat the past
as If it had not been. But on a con-
dition."
James color came back. "What1l you
be wanting?" he muttered, averting his
gaze.
you must swear that you will not
pursue this foolish plan further. That
first"
what can be doing without them?"
was the sullen answer
Very true Colonel John rejoined.
"But you must swear, also, my friend,
that you will not attempt anything
against me, nor be party TO anything"
"Whatd / be doing?"
Don't lie!" the colonel replied, los
ing his temper for a single instant.
1--WE no time to handy words, and
you know how you stand. Swear on
your hope of salvation to those two
things. and you may stay. Refuse, and
/ make myself safe by your absence"
The young man had the sense 20
know that he was escaping lightly. He
was willing enough TO swear that he
would not pursue that enterprise fur
Their. But the second undertaking
stuck in his gizzard. He hated Colonel
John-for h past wrong. for the past
defeat, above all for the present hui
initiation.
Il have no choice he said, shrug-
ging his shoulders.
Very good" Colonel John answered
CURLY. And. going to the door. he
called Bale from his station by the
hatchway, and dispatched him to the
bishop and to Admiral Cammock, re-
questing them to do the honor to de-
scend.
They came readily enough. In the
hope of some favorable turn. But the
coloneI's words quickly set them right.
Gentlemen" he said politely, II
know you TO be men of honor in pri-
vate life. For this reason / have asked
you to be present as witnesses TO the
bargain between my cousin and myself.
GlDOu Is lllChcI ludl "dlCL bc ldS no
mind to go abroad, and / have no mind
to send him against his will. But his
presence, after what has passed, is a
standing peril 80 myself 70 meet this
difficulty he Is ready TO swear by all
that ne holds sacred. and upon his
honor, that he VIII attempt nothing
against me, nor be a party to 1t. Is
that so. sir?" the speaker continued.
do you willingly, in the presence OF
these gentlemen. give that undertake
ing?"
Continued Next Week.)