The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-12-16
WILD GEESE@
By Stanley J. Meyman. ~


suit. She had aspired, honestly and
earnestly, for her race downtrodden and
her faith ~despised, and this was the
bitter fruit. Nor was it only the girls
devotion to her country and to her faith
that lay sore wounded; her vanity suf-
fered, and perhaps more keenly.
: The enterprise that was to have glort-
fed the name of McMurrough, that
was to have raised that fallen race.
that was to ave made that distant
province blessed among the provinces
of ireland, had come to an end. de-
risive and contemplate, before 1t was
: born. Her spirit, fearing for all things
ridicule. dashed itself against the dread
full fact. She could hardly believe h q
all was over. She could hardly realize
that the cup was no longer. at her lip.
But h looked from the window; and,
10, the courtyard which had hummed
and seethed vas dead and silent. In
one corner a knot Of men We're carry
ing out the arms and the powder, and
were preparing to bury them. In an
other a woman-it was O'Sullivan Og's
widow-sat weeping.
You u kill him!" she cried. with
livtd cheeks and blazing eyes. IF you
do not. I will"
Uncle Ulick, who beyond doubt was
n of those who felt more relief than
disappointment, stretched his legs un-
easily: He ionged to comfort her. but
he did not know what to say.
You must kill him." she repeated.
Wen talk of that. he said, when
We see him."
you must kill him." the girl repeated
~passionately. "Or I will! If you are a
man, If you are an Irishman. If you
are a Sullivan. kill him, the shame Of
your race! Or I Wilt"
II he had been on u side" Uncle
Click answered soberly. ''instead of
against us, I'm thinking we should have
done better"
The girl drew in her breath sharply,
pierced to the quick by the thought.
simultaneously the big mar started,
u for another reason. His eyes were
on the window. and they saw a sight
Which his mind declined to believe. Two
had entered the courtyard-had en-
tered with astonishing, with p%etrifying
nonchalance, as 1t seemed-to him. For
the first was Colonel Sullivan. The sec.
ond-but h second skunk at the heels
of he first with a hangdog air-was
James McMurrOugh.
Fortunately Flavia, whose eyes were
glooming on the cold hearth, had her
back to the easement. Uncle Ulick
rose. His thoughts came with a shock
against III possibility that Colonel
Jack had the garrison Of Tralee at his
back. But, although The McMurrough
2 all the appearance Of a prisoner,
Ulick thrust away the notion as soon
as 1t occurred. To clear his mind, he
looked to see how the men engaged in
getting at the powder were taking it.
They had ceased to work. and were
staring with all their eyes. Something
In their bearing told Uncle Ulick that
the notion which had occurred to him
had occurred to them. and that they
We're prepared to u at the least
alarm.
His blood on his own head," he
muttered. But he did not say it in the
tone Of a man who meant it.
"Amen!" sh, cried. The words fell in
with her thou, ats.
BY this time Colonel Sullivan was
within four PAGES of the door. In a
handturne he would be in the room. he
would be actually in the gisl's pres
encea-nd Uncle Ulick s1rank from
the scene which must follow. Colonel
John was indeed, and plainly, running
on his fate. Already the O'Biernes.
awakening from their trance of aston
We're closing in behind him
With grim faces; and short OF the gar
rsson of Tralee the big man saw no
help for him; well-nigh-so strongly
did even he feel on the matter-he de-
sired none. But Flavia must have no
Part In it. Let the girl be clear of,it.
The big man o two stepsrto the
door, opened It. slipped through, and
closed 1t behind him. His breast as
good as touched that of Colonel Sulli-
van, who was on the threshold. Behind
the colonel was James McMurrough:
behind James We're the two O'Biernes
Il two others, Of whose object, as
they cut off the colonel's retreat, no
man who saw their faces could doubt.
For once. in view OF the worse
things that might happen in the house.
3Cltck was firm. You can't com in"
he said, his face pale and frowning. He
a no word of greeting for the coll
You can't come In" he repeated.
staring straight at him.
III colonel turned and saw the four
men with arms in their hands spread
ing out behind him. He understood.
You had better let ME in,'' he said
gently. James will talk to them.'
"James'-
You had better speak to Them"
Colonel John continued, addressing his
companion. And you. Ulick'-
You can't come in" Ulick repeated
grimly.
James McMurrough ~interposed in his
tone. "An end to this!" he
cried. Who are you to bar the door,
Uiick! And you. Phelim and Morty, be
easy a minute till you hear me speak"
Ulick still barred the way. James"
said, in a voice little above a
whisper, you don't know
II know enough!" The McMurrough
answered violently. 1t vent sadly
against h grain with him to shield
his enemy but so 1t must be. Course
YOU, let him I'M" he continued, fierce
~; they were making his task more
for him. And have a care Of
him." he added anxiously. do you
hear? Have a care of him?"
Uncle UlicK made a last feeble at
tempt. But Flavia:,' he said. Fla
via is there and"
Curse the girl" James answered.
Get out Of the road and let the man
in! Is this my house or yours?"
Uiick yielded, as he had yielded 80
often before. He stood aside. Colonel
John opened the door and entered.
The rest happened SO quickly that
movement on his part could have
saved him.. Flavia had heard their
voices In altercation-it might be half
a minute. it might be a few seconds
She had risen to her feet. she
recognized the voice Of onesof the
--L-- 49, - +S 49,.