The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1909-09-23
Copyright. 1909. by Stanley j. weyn
CHAPTER v--Continued.

yOut HaytOn, nave QOHo with your 1OOl-
Ing. will your"
Well, hear to hint"
Il have been In many camps and
many companies, gentlemen" the COL
onei resumed, and those of man ma
tions But wherever l have been I
have found that II a man brought no
offense he received none. I am a
stranger here, for / have been out Of
my w country for a score of years.
On my return you welcome me- he
smiled. "a little boisterously, perhaps.
but l am sure, gentlemen, with q good
intent. And as l ave Jared elsewhere
I am sure l h fare at o hands"
Well. sure from the background,
and haven't we made you welcome? ?"
Almost too freely" the colonel re-
piled, smiling good humored1y. "A
2eaceable man who had not lived as
long as | have might have found him
self at a loss in face OF SO strenuous
q welcome. Corks, perhaps. are more
In place in bottles-"
And a dale more in place out of
them!" from the background.
But II you will permit me to explain
my errand, will say no more of hat.
My name, gentlemen, Is Sullivan, COL
onel John Sullivan, Of Skull, formerly
of the Swedish service and much at
your service I shall be still more
obliged If any OF you will be kind
enough to inform me who Is the pur-
chaser"-
Payton interrupted him rudely. I'VE
have had enough of this!" he cried.
Sink all purchasers, l sayi" And with
q runken crow he thrust his neigh
Dor against the speaker. causing both
to reel. How it happened no one saw
whether Payton himself staggered in
the act, or flung the wine wantonly;
but somehow the contents OF his glass
new over the colonel's face and neck
cloth.
Hal a dozen men rose from their
seats. "Shamel" an indignant voice
cried.
Among those who had risen was the
sallow a .Payton,'' he said sharp
~, what did you do that for?"
Because I choose, If you like!" the
stout man answered. what is it to
your / am ready to give him salts
faction when he likes and where he
likes. n no heel taps! And what
moro can he want? Do you hear, sir?"
he continued In a bullying tone.
Swords or pistols. before breakfast or
after dinner, drunk or sober. Jack Pay
tons your man. 1t shall never be said
In my time that the -th suffered a
crop cared Irishman to preach to them
In their w messroom! You can send
your friend to me when you please.
He'll And me-
The colonel was wiping the wine from
his chin and neckcloth. He had turned
strangely pale at the moment Of the
insult. More than n of those who
watched him curiously, noting the slow
preciseness OF his movements, expected
some extraordinary action.
But no n looked for anything so
abnormal as the course he took When
he spoke. Nothing in his bearing had
prepared them for It; nor anything In
MS conduct, which, so far. had been
much at q loss even In the unfavorable
circumstances In which he. was placed.
Il do not fight" he said. Your chal-
ienEe is cheap, sir. as your insult"
Payton stared. He had never been
more astonished In his life. You do
not ght Heaven earth and you
n soldier!"
II do not fight
After that, man! Not-.fter,,-
NO. Colonel John said between his
teeth.
And then no one spoke. A something
IN Colonel Johns tone sobered the spec
tators and turned that which might
have seemed an ignominy into a trag-
edy In which they all had their share.
ForSthe Insult a been SO wanton that
there was not one of the witnesses
whose syrnpathies a not been with
the victim.
Payton alone was moved only by con-
tempt.
Heavens. mani he cried, finding his
roice again. Are you a Quaker? II
SO. why do YOU call yourself a soldier?'
~ am no Quaker, Colonel John an
swered, but / do not fight duels."
why? Z"
IT I killed YOU the Colonel replied.
cycling him steadily, would it dry my
neckcloth or clean my face?"
No" Payton retorted with a sheer.
but II would clean your honori It
beasts that perish, you valued some
thing more than your life
81 do"
what Payton asked with a care
less dfsdain.
Among other things, my duty
Payton laughed brutally. "Why. by
the powers, you are a preacher!" he re-
torted. Hang your duty. sir, and YOU
for craven! Give me acts, not words!
Its q mans duty to defend his honor,
and You talk Of your neckcloth! There's
half crown and flung it. with an In
s,ilting gesture. upon the table. Show
us your back and for the future give
gentlemen OF honor a wide berth. You
are no mate for them
The act and the words were too
strong murmur rose, for IL Payton
sallow faced man. whose name was
Marsh, spoke U Easy Payton., he
said. The gcntlemann-
The gentleman, eh?"
Did not come here of hts own ac-
cord, and you've said enough and done
enough For my part
did not ask for your interference,n
The other cried insolently.
We'll, anyway
And ! don't want tt! And won,t
have -: do q hear, Marsh? ~ Payton
rcpested nlenacingly. You know me.
and + know you
ssIa EMO that 9 are q better fencer
a&afld 4 better slIot fhar8Y an J, NS.sNn