The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-10-07
WILD GEESE
BY Stanley J. Meyman.

..
and so am I! And for the rest, IL you
are fool enough to be In earnest, which
I'll never believe, you've 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. Asgil retorted. He had risen to
depart, n the two stood with their
faces close together. '"This!" he re-
peated, clapping one hand on the other.
IF you're q fool. I'm a bigger. Or
what would I be doing7 Why, I'd be
pressing you into this, in place OF
holding you backl And Their when the
trouble came, and you'd to quit, my
lad, and no choice but to make work
for the hangman or beg a crust over
than she stood up in. and small choice
either, It's then she'd be glad to AXE
Luke Asgill, as she'll barely look at
now! Ay. my lad. I'd win her then,
IL 1t 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 q
bitterness as well as q vehemence that
betrayed how little he cared for the
man he Observation-Disclosures he swung
or lived, begged or famished. His tone.
illo lldIiIST, Ills DldCk look HI maze IL
plain that the scheme he outlined was
no sudden thought, but q plan long
conceived, often studied, and put aside
with reluctance. James shuddered, and
his countenance changed. A creature
OF small vanities and small vices,
worthless, selfish n cruel, but as
weak as water, he quailed before this
1t was with a poor affectation of de-
fiance that he made his answer. w.
And what for, IL it's as easy as you
say, don't o do it?" he stammered.
Asgill groaned. "Because-but there,
you wouldn't understand! Still, IL you
must be knowing, there's ways of win
ming would be worse thar losing!"
The McMurrough's confidence began
to return. You're grown scrupulous,"
he sneered. half in jest, half in earnest.
Asgills answer flung him down
again. you nay thank your stars I
ami" he replied, with a look that
scorched the other.
"Well-well," McMurrough made ar
effort to mutter-he vas 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
Tim you take my warning as to the big
matter; n 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
IL he doesn't poison your sister against
youi See IL he doesn't make this hearth
too hot for you! AS long as he's in the
house there's danger. I know the sort"
Asgill continued shrewdly, land little
by little you'll see, he'll get possession
as It is. my lad" -.
"Pho!"
otis not 'pho!' And in a week
you'll know 1t, and be as glad to see
his back as I should be todayl"
What, a man who has not the spirit
to go out with q gentlemanl"
"A man, you mean," Asgiil retorted,
showing his greater shrewdness, "who
has h spirit to a that. he won't go
Quit"
sure, and rye not much opinion Of
a man OF that kind" McMurrough
| 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 1t, n no better way
or commenting myself. But I misdoubt
II now. Suppose this Colonel brings
her back?' 49,.
But Payton's stanch."
"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 IL
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 II he
told what I'll be bound he knows of
you, 1t would not suit o eitherI"
1T would not" The McMurrough re-
piled, with an ugly look which the
cleaning failed to mask. "It would
not. But there's small chance Of that"
Things happen" Asgill answered in
a sombre tone. Faith, my lad, the
contin led, his voice low, that he's
owner OF all--in law; n IL he said
the word, devil a penny there'd be for
you! And no marriage foI your sister
but with his good will"
McMurrough's face showed q shade
paler through the dusk.
What would you 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 q low voice.
True for you. And I'll be thinking
about that same. He's no footing yet,
and If he vanished 'twould be no more
han IL he'd never come. See the light
below? There! It's gone. Well, that
way he'd go, and a little more talk,
IL t were well plotted"
But howe" The McMurrough asked
~nervously.
Il will consider" Asgill answered.
CHAPTER VIII.