Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-12-28
CHAPTER I.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER I.-(Continued.)
But this toe pinching story is but
dry crust to offer a friend. You
spoke of lady; who was she?"
"The lady was real enough, and Fall
comet did grossly asperse her. But
know not who she IS. nor aught about
her, save that she is sweet and fair
and good to look upon"
Let me see her through your eyes
and mayhap / can name her for you"
That l can not. Mr.. Peale's best
skill would be none too great for the
painting OF any picture that should do
her justice. But she is small, with the
airs and grace of lady of the quail
fly; also, she has witching blue eyes.
and hair that has the CLINT Of summer
sunshine in 1t. Also. she sits a horse
as II bred to the saddle"
To my amazement, Jennifer leaped
up.
And he dared lay a foul tongue TO
her, you say? Tell me what he said!
have a good right to knowi"
1 shook my head. Nay, Richard;
may not repeat 1t to you, since you are
the mans second. Truly, there is
more than this at the back of our
quarrel: but of itself it was enough,
and more than enough, inasmuch as
the lady had just done him the honor
to recognize him."
His words-his very words, Jack,
If you love mel"
mo; the quarrel is mine"
1T is not yours!" he stormed. rag
ing back and forth before the fire.
What is Margery Stair to you. Jack
Ireton?"
"She is no more than name to me-
I do assure you; the daughter of the
man who sits In my fathers scat at
Appleby Hundred"
But you are going to fight for her!"
he retorted.
Am 1? ! pledge you my word
did not know It, But in any case
should fight Sir Francis Falconnet;
aye and do my best to kill him, too
Sit you down and fill another pipe
Whatever the quarrel it is mine"
''Mayhap; but 1t is mine, too" he
broke in, angrily. "At all events. I'll
see this kings volunteer well hanged
before l second him in such cause y
That as you choose. But you are
bound in honor. are you not?"
No. What you have told me puts a
new face on the matter. Jack Sir
Francis may find him another second
where he can. If he has aught to say,
l shall tell him plain he lied to me
about the quarrel, as he did. Now who
is there to see far play on your side,
John Ireton?'
At the question an overwhelming
sense of my own sorry case grappled
me. Fifteen years before, l had left
Appleby Hundred and my native prov
ince as well befriended as the son OF
Roger Ireton was sure ~ be- And
now"
Dick, my lad. 1 am like to fight
alone" said l.
That you shall not Jack" he as
serted, stoutly. Il must be a-gallop
now to tell this kings captain to look
elsewhere for his next friend; but to-
morrow morning I'll meet you in the
road between this and the Stair out
lands, and Wen fare on together"
After this he would brook no more
delay; and when Tomas had fetched
his horse l saw him mount and ride
away Under the low-hanging naples
watched him fairly out of sight In the
green and gold twilight of the great
forest before turning back TO my lone
ly hearth and it's somber reminders
l stirred the dying embers, throwing
on a pine knot for better light Then ]
took down my fathers sword from it's
deer-horn brackets over the chimney
piece, and set myself to fine its edge
and point with bit OF Scotch whin-
stone. 1t was a good blade: a true old
Andrea Ferara got in battle in the sew
enteenth century by one OF the Not
tiRgham Iretons.
l whetted 1t we'll and carefully. II
was not that l feared my enemy's
strength OF wrist or tricks of fence.
but lighting had been my trade, and
he is but poor craftsman who looks
not well to see that his tools are In
order against their time of using.