Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-01-21

pllgnl.
AS he went on with Morty, he CAV,
him a hint to say as little in Payton'i
presence as possible. Il know th'
man, ne explained, "an where he't
weak. I'm for seeing the back OF hin
as o as we can but without noise
There's always the bog grumble(
Morty.
And the garrison at Tralee," Asgil
retoined dryly, ito ask where he is
And his troopers to answer the ques'
ton
Morty babe him manage it his owr
way. "Only I'll trouble you not tC
blame me-" he added. If the English
soger finds the colonel and ruins Us
entirely"
III not" .Asglll answered pithily
"if SO be you'll hold your tongue"
So at supper that night Paytor
looked in vain for the Kerry beauty
whose charms the warmer wits of the
mess had more than once painted In
hues rather forid han fit. Neverthe-
less he would have enjoyed himself
tolerably-nor the less because now
and again he let his contempt for the
company peep from under his COM
plaisance-but for the obtuseness OF
his friend; who, as if he had only one
man and one idea in his head, let fall
with every moment some mention of
Colonel John. Now, 1t was the happy
certainty of the c~olonels return next
day that inspired his eloquence; now.
the pleasure with which the colonel
would meet Payton again; now. the
lucky chance that found a pair of new
foils on h window ledge.
For he's ruined entirely and no one
10 play with hint Asgill continued, a
a twinkle in his eye. mo one, I'm
meaning, major, Of his sort Of force
at all, Begad, boys, you'll see some
fine fencing for oncei You'll think
we've never seen any before, I'm doubt
ing"
I'm not sure that I can remain to-
morrow Payton said in a surly tone.
He began to suspect that Asgill was
quizzing him. He noticed that every
time the justice named Colonel Sui
Ivan, men looked furtiveIy at one an
other, or straight before them, as if
they We're in a design. If that were so,
the design could only be TO pit Colonel
Sullivan against him, or TO provoke
a quarrel between them. He felt a
qualm of apprehension, and he was
confirmed in the plan ne had already
formeu--tO be gone neXt day. But in
the meantime his temper moved him
to carry the way into the enemy's
ountry
Il didn't know he snarled. aking
Asgill up in the middle of an eulogy
of Colonel Johns skill, that he was
so great a fayorite Of yours"
He was not" Asgill replied dryly.
He is now, it seems" in the same
sneering tone.
I'VE know him better. Don't we,
boys?"
They murmured assent.
And the lady whose horse | shell
tered for YOU" the major continued,
spitefully watching for an opening
'confound you little you thanked me
for it--sne must be still more in his
interest than you? And how does that
suit your book?"
Asgill had great self control, and the
major was not a close observer. But
the thrust was so unexpected hat on
the instant Payton read the other Sc
cret in his ~eyes-knew that he loved.
and knew that he was jealous. Jealous
OF Sullivan; Jealous of the man whom
he was for some reason praising. Then
why not jealous of a younger, a more
fashionable rival? Asgills cunningly
reared plans began to sink, and even
while he answered he knew it.
she likes him" he said. las we all
do
Some more, some less" Payton an
swered with a grin.
Just So the Irishman returned.
controlling himself. Some more, some
less. And why not. I'm asking p"
Il think l must stay over tomor-
row, Payton remarked. smiling at the
ceiling. There must be a good deal
TO be seen here"
"Ah, there is" Asgill answered in APP
parent good humor.
Worth seeing, too, I'll be sworn!"
the Englishman replied, smiling more
broadly.
And that's true. tool" the other re-
joined
He had himself in hand, and it was
not from him that the proposal to
break up the party came. The major
ii was who at last pleaded atigue
Englishmen's heads. he said, were
stronger than their stomachs: they
were a match for port, but not for
claret@
You should correct it, major, with a
little cognac,'. The McMurrough sug-
gested politely.
Not tonight. and. by your leave, I'll
have my nan called and go to bed,
It's early" James McMurrough said.
~nlaying the host
1T Is, but I'll have my man and go
to bed" Payton answered. with true
British obstinacy. NO offense to any
gentleman"
There's none VIII take 1t here As
gill answered. IAN Irishman's house is
his guests castle. But, knowing that
Payton liked his glass, he wondered.
until il occurred to him tina the other
wished TO have his hand steady for the
sword play next day.
The McMurrough, who had risen.
took a look n attended his guest to
his room, Asgin and the O'Beirnes re-
NAMED seated at the table, the young
men soothing at the Englishman's con
ceit OF himself. Asgill silent and down
( cast. His scheme of Kidding himself
of Payton had failed; but il remained
to lace the situation. He did not dis
trust Flayia but he distrusted Payton-
his i~nsolence. his violence. and the
privileged position which his duellist.s
skill gave him, And then there was
Colonel John. II Payton learned what
was afoot at the tower, and saw his
way to make use of 1T. the worst might
happen to all concerned.
He looked up at a touch from Morty,
and to his astonishment he saw Flavia
standing at the end OF the table. There
was q hasty scrambling to the feet. for
rstsS men itau mot drunk deep. and by
all IN the houSe-except her brother
the girl was treated with respect.
J II was thinking Asgill said. fore
seeing trouble. that o were i'm bed
n asieep." Her hair was tied bacl,