Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-10-08
WILD GEESE
* BY Stanley j. Weyman. 7

are fool enough TO be In earnest, which
TIL never believe. yo1'se neither money
nor men nor powder"
You know a heap OF things. AS
gill James McMurrough answered dis
painfully.
Il do. And more by token, / know
this. Asgill retorted. He had risen TO
faces close together. This" he re-
peated, clapping n hand on the other.
II you're a fool, I'm a bigger. Or
what would / be doing? Why, I'd be
pressing o into this, in place of
holding you back! And then when the
trouble came, and you'd to quit. my
lad. and no choice but to make work
FOR h hangman or beg a crust over
seas, and your sister'd no more left
h she stood IN in and small choice
either. It's then she'd be glad to take
Luke Asgill, as she'll barely look at
now! Ay, my lad, I'd win her then,
If IL were but as the price OF saving
your neck! There's naught she'd not
do for you, and I'd ask but herself"
James McMurrough stared at him,
COMPOUNDED. For Asgill spoke with a
bitterness as well as a yehemence that
betrayed how little he cared for the
man he Observation-Disclosures he swung
or lived. begged or famished. His tone,
his manner. his black Dol all made IL
plain that the scheme ne outlined was
no sudden Thought. but a plan long
conceived, often studied. and put aside
with reluctance. James ~shuddered, and
his c~ountenance changed. A creature
OF small yanities and small vices,
worthless, selfish n cruel, but as
weak as water, he quailed before this
view Of a soul darker than his own.
II was with a poor aifectation Of de-
tiance that he made h!s answer
And what for, if it's as easy as you
say, don't you do it?" he stammered.
Asgill groaned. "Because-but there.
you wouldn't understand! Still. if you
Il be knowing, there's ways of win
ming would be worse than losing!"
The McMurrough's confidence began
10 return. You're grown scrupulous,"
he sncered, half in jest, half in earnest.
Asgilrs answer flung him dow
again. You may thank your stars /
ami" he replied, with a look that
scorched the other.
"Well-well." McMurrough made an
effort TO mutter-he was thoroughly
disconcerted-"at any rate, I'm obliged
TO you for your warning"
You will be obliged to me-" Asgill
replied, resuming his ordinary manner,
i'm you take my warning as TO the big
matter; and also as TO your kinsman,
John Sullivan. For, | tell you, I'm
afraid of him"
"Of him?" James cried.
"Ay. Of him. Have a care. have a
care, man, or he'll outgeneral you. See
If he doesn't poison your sister against
you! See If he doesn't make his hearth
too hot for you! AS long as he's in the
house there's danger. / know the sort"
Asgill continued shrewdly, land little
by little you'll see, he'll get possession
as ii is, my lad
"Phoi"
"'Tis not pilot And in a week
you'll know it, and be as glad to see
his back as / should be todayl"
What, a man who has not the spirit
to go out with a gentiemaniT
A man, you mean" Asgill retorted,
showing his greater shrewdness, who
has the spirit to say that he won't go
outi" nj
Sure, and rye not much opinion of
a man of that kind" McMurrough ex-
claimed.
Il have" Asgill replied. Ird not
have played the trick about your sis
ter's mare IL I'd known he'd be here.
1t seemed the height of invention when
you hit upon il. and no better way
of commencing myself. But / misdoubt
it now. Suppose this Colonel brings
her back"
~ l06 u ny wa - A 1
"Ah. / hold Payton. sure enough"
Asgill answered. ''in the hollow of my
hand. James McMurrough. But there's
accident, and there's what not, and if
in place of my restoring the mare to
your sister. John Sullivan restored
her-faith, my lad, I'd be laughing on
the other side of my face. And if he
told what I'll be bound he knows of
you. ii would not suit you either!"
1T would not" The. McMurrough re-
piled, with an ugly look which the
gioaIning failed 10 mask. 1T would
not. But there's small chance of that"
Things happen" Asgin answered in
a sombre tone. Faith, my lad. the
mans a danger. . you consider ne |
continued, his voice low, that he's
owner of all-in law; and if he said
the word. devil a penny there'd be for
you! And no marriage for your sister
but with his good will.''
McMurrough's face showed a shade
paler through the dusk.
What would o have me do?" he
muttered.
Quit this plan of a rising, and give
him no handle. That, anyway"
But that won't rid us of him ?" Nc
Murrough said, in a low voice.
True for you. And I'll be thinking
about that same. He's no footing vet,
and IL he vanished 'twould be no more
than il he'd never come. See the light
below? Therei It's gone. Well. that
way he'd go, and a little more talk.
il I were we'll plotted"
but how" The McMurrough asked
n~ervously.
Il will consider" Asgil answered.
CI VIII