The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-12-23
Fmean to be drawn from the position a.

Only L think that you nave over
locke this" Asgill continued smooth
~. 1T is one thing to w a house
and another to Kick the logs on the
hearth; one thing to nave the deeds
OF another-in the west-tO pass the
punch bowl! More, by token. 1t Ia a
h~ospttable country this. colonel, and lie
there Is one thing would annoy The
McMurrough n the young lady, his
sister, more than another. 1t would be
to turn a guest from the door-that is
thought to be theirs!"
You mean that you will not take my
bidding??" the colonel said.
Not the least taste in life.' Asgill
answered gayly, unless 1t Is backed by
the gentleman or the lady"
Yet believe. sir. hat I have a
means to persuade you,' Colonel John
replied. 1T is no more than a week
ago, Mr.. Asgill. since a number of per-
sons In my presence assumed a badge
so notoriouslv reasonable that a child
could not doubt Its meaning"
I'm the west of Ireland Asgill said
with "a twinkle in his eye. that is a
trtf1e my deal sir, not worth naminp.'
But If reported in the east?"
Asgill averted his face that its smile
might not be seen. Well" he said, ..it
might be a serious matter there"
Il think you take me now" Colonel
John replied. II wish to use no threats.
The least said the soonest mended."
Asgill looked at hin with the amuse-
ment OF a man watching h transpar-
n scheming of a child. LAS you say,
the least said h zones mended," he
rejoined. 'So-who is to report it in
the east?"
Il will. IL necessary"
IF you push me to it,"
Asgill raised his eyebrows imperti-
nently. An informer?" he said.
Colonel John did not finch. IF nee
essary." he repeated.
That would be serious" Asgill re-
Joined. for many people. In the first
place, for the young lady. your ward,
Colonel. Then for your kinsman-and
Mr.. Ulick Sullivan. After that for quite
a number of honest gentlemen whose
only fault is a tendency to heroics after
dinner. 1t would be so serious, and for
81 many, Colonel. that. for my part. l
should be glad to suffer in such good
company. Particularly" he continued,
with a droll look, the droller for his
appreciation Of the Colonel's face Of
discontinue, las being a Protestant
n a Justice. 1 should. ten to one, be
would not pass. So that. ten to one,
I should go free and the others go to
GeOrdie's prison."
Colonel John was fairly defeated, his
FAM turned. his guns captured. He
had counted so surely OF the man
AAO ~ MI " DS NlldtS DIOVlnR
also a coward that even his anger
could not hide his discontinue. He
looked, indeed, SO rueful. and at. the
same time so wrathful, that Asgill
laughed aloud.
Come, Colonel" he said, ut is no
use to scowl at me. We know you
never call any one out. Let me 1ust
hint that wits in Ireland are not quite
so slow as in colder countries. and that
had I been here a week back you had
not found it Sc easy to-
To what. sir?"
ITO send two old women to sea in a
eockboat" Asgill replied. And he
time there was no gayety in his laugh.
II the Colonel .had not performed the
feat in question. in how different a
state things might have been at this
moment! Asgill felt murderous toward
weapon Of the flesh being out Of the
question-for he had no mind to face
the Coloners small sword-he sought
about for an arm OF another kind
More by token" he continued: III you
are going to urn informer, It was q
pity you did not send the young woman
thinking you'd not be liking to be
without her. Colonel?"
Colonel John turned surprisingly red.
w will leave her out of the question,
sir" he said, haughtily. "or-that re-
minds me-" he continued, with increas-
to bid you begone."-
II do" Asgill cried, with zest. He
was beginning to enjoy himself.
But you forget, I think. another lit
tie matter in the past that is known
to me-and that you would not like
disclosed, I believe, sir"
you seem to have been raking
things up. Colonel"
"One must deal with a rogue accord
ing to his roguery." Colonel John re-
torted.
Asgill's face grew dark. He made a
movement. but restrained himself.
You don't mince Matters he said.
You may be finding it an unfortu-
nate policy before long" Asgill said
between his teeth. He was moved at
last. angered, perhaps a~pprehensive Of
what was coming.
May be. sir" Colonel John returned
may be. But in the meantime let me
remind you that your tricks as a horse
dealer would not go far to recommend
you as a guest to my kinswoman.'
obi"
sWho shall assuredly hear who
seized her mare IL you persist in forc-
ing your company upon her."
upon her?" Asgil repeated. in a
peculiar one. II see" eae'' - =
Colonel John REDEEMED. you know
how" he said. And If you persist"
You will tell her." Asgill took him
Up. that 1-shall. ! say-abducted her
mare?"
II shall tell her without hesitation"
COR scruple?"
Colonel Sullivan glowered at him.
did not answer.
Asgill laughed a laugh Of honest con-
tempt. And She" he said, will not
believe you IL you swear it a score
OF times. Try, sir! You will injure
yourself, you will not injure me. why.
man." he continued, in a tone OF
unmeasured scorn. you are duller than
I thought you were. The ice is still in
your wits Inc the fog in your brain.
I thought, whensI heard what YOU had
But
What is IT? What's this.
The speaker was James McMurrough.
He had approached unnoticed and his
churlish tone showed that what he
had overheard was not to his liking.
But Asgill supposed that James iii.
Lhulnor was directed against his anona.,