The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-09

"Gone out Of the way, eh7'' Asgill re-
piled with q d~eprecatofy grin. And
the whole cargo. was II, Captain
"All thet tubs, perfectlyl"
you'd paid your dues, OF course7"
Dues. mon Dieul But they take the
goodsl"
Had you paid your duesf'
mot already, because"-
That's unfortunate" AsgiIl answered
In a tone Of mock coincidence. Mighty
unfortunatel" He winked at Uncle
Ulick. Port dues, you know, Captain,
must be paid before tho ship slips her
moorings."
But
Mighty un~fortunate!"
But what are the dues?" poor Au-
gustin cried. dimiy aware that he was
being baited.
"Ah, you're talking now" the Magis-
trate answered glibly. "Unluckily.
that's not in my province. I'm made
aware that the goods are held under
lieu for dues, and / can do nothing.
Upon payment, of course'-
but how much? Eh. sir? How
much2 How much7"
Luke Asgin, who had W faces, and
for once was minded to let both be seen,
enjoyed the Frenchman's perpeixity.
I1e WlSuSu 70 1tduQ Well Win fIhVlap
and here was a rare opportunity OF ex-
hibiting at once his friendliness and
his powers OF drollery. He was there
fore taken aback when q grave voice
cut short his enjoyment.
Still. II Captain Augustin." the voice
interposed, lis willing to pay a ason
able sum on account OF dues1"
The magistrate turned about abrupt
ly. Eh?" ne said. 'Oh. Colonel Sulli-
van, Is it?"
Then. doubtless, the goods viii be
released so that he may perform his
duty to his customer.
Asgill had only known the Colonel a
one OF the family, he did not see how
to take II. It was as IL treason lifted
Its head In the camp. He coughed.
I'D not be denying It," he said. ''But
until The McMurrough returns"-
Such q matter is doubtless within
Mr.. S~ullivan's authority the colonel
said, turning from him to Uncle Ulick.
Uncle Ulick showed his embarrass-
ment. Faith, / don't know that 1t
is, he said.
IF Captain Augustin paid, say 20 per
cent on his bills OF lading-"
Ma fol, 20 per cent? the captain ex-
claimed in establishment. Twenty
but, yes, / will pay 1t. i will pay even
that. or what use to throw the handle
after the hatchet2"
Luke Asgill thought the colonel very
nipple. Well, I've nothing to say to
this, at ALL" he said, struggling his
shoulders. ITS not within my prov
ince."
Colonel John looked at the girl In a
way In which he had not looked at her
before, and she found herself speaking
before she knew it. Yes" she cried
impulsively, "let that be done, and the
goods be given up"
But The McMurrough?" Asgill be-
gan.
Il win answer for him." she said i'm
pulsively. Uncle Ulick, go, l beg, and
see 1t DONE"
II win go with YOU" Colonel suri-
al said. And doubtless Mr.. Asgill
will accompany us, to lend the weight
OF his authority in the ven OF any
difficulty arising"
Asgill's countenance fell. He was be-
tween two stools, for he had no mind
to displease Flayia or thwart her
brother. At length, NO." he said, 'Tn
not be doing anything In The McMur-
rough's absence"
Colonel John looked in the same
strange fashion al F1avia- IT have no
legal power to act, sir" he said, "as !
can prove to you in private. And that
being so. / must certainly ask you to
lend me the weight OF your authority"
And i will be hanged IL i dol" Asgill
1 cried. There was a change In his tone
and the reason was not far 20 seek.
Here's The McMurroughl"
They all turned and looked along the
road which ran to the end or the lake.
With James McMurrough. who was
still q furlong away, were the two
IO'Biernes. They came slowly, and
something In their bearing, even at
that distance awoke anxiety.
They're early from the cooking"
Uncle Ulick muttered doubtfully, "an
sober as pigs! What's the meaning Of
that? There's something amiss, I'm
fearing"
A cry from FIavia proved the keen
ness of her eyes. Where is Giralda?"
she exclaimed. Where Is the mare?"
LAY, what have they done with the
mare?" Uncle UIick said in q tone OF
CONSERVATION. Have they famed her,
I'm wondering2 The garron Morty's
riding IL none of ours"
Flavia cried, anger contending with her
grief. Giralda, her gray mare, ascribed
In sanguine moments to the strain OF
| the barley Arabian, and as gentle as
bshe was spirited. was the girls dearest
| possession. II begged him not to take
her!" she repeated, almost In tears. IT
knew there vas danger"
"James was wrong to take her up
| country" Uncle Ulick said sternly.
They've claimed heri' Flavia walled.
II know they havel And I shall
never her! Oh, I'd far rather
she were dead!"
Uncle Ulick lifted up his powerful