The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-01-27

Hioie IMAM SHOCK ner. Ine scales or
prejudice which had dimmed her sight
fell from her eyes. and for the first
time she saw him as he was. Flo the
first time she perceived that, in pur-
suing the path he had followed, he
might have thought himself right.
Parts OF the passionate rebuke which
suffering and Indignation had forced
from him remained branded upon her
memory; and she wept I'm shame, feel
ing her helplessness, her ignorance,
feeling that she had no longer any
sure support or prop. How could she
trust those who, taking advantage at
once OF her wounded vanity and her
affection for her brother. had drawn
her into this hideous, this cruel busi-
ness? y
The sense of her loneliness. the knowl-
edge that those about her used her for
their w ends--and those the most
neutrality-suspicious. FER.
When the first passion Of her self
reproach had spent itself. she heard
him calling her by name, and In q
voice that stirred her heartstrings. She
rose. first to her knees and then to her
feet. and averting her face, Il will open
the door" she said. humbly and In a
broken voice. Il have brought the key"
He did not answer, and she did not
unlock. For az. still keeping her face
averted that he might not see her tears,
n turned the corner OF the tower to
gain the door. her brothers. head and
shoulders rose above the level Of the
platform. AS The McMurrough stepped
on to the latter from the path he was
In tim to see her skirt vanishing. He
saw no more. But his suspicious were
aroused. He strobe across the face of
the tower, turned the corner n came
on her In the act OF putting h key
in the lock.
What are you doing" he cried, in q
terrible voice. Are you mad?"
She did not answer, but neither did
he pause for her answer The immi-
nence of the peril. the thought that the
man whom he had so deeply wronged
avenge himself and punish his foes
rose up before him, and he thrust her
roughly from the door. The key. not
yet turned, came away in her hand.
and he tried to snatch it from her.
hear? Give 1t met"
II will mott" she cried. mol"
"Give 1t up, I say!" he retorted. And
this time he made good his hold or
her wrist, He tried to force the key
from her. Let it go!" he painted. "or
I shall hurt you!"
But he made a great mistake IL he
thought he could coerce Flavia In that
way" Her fingers only closed more
tightly on the key. Never" she cried,
struggling with him.. Never! I am
going to let him Quit"
You coward" a voice cried through
the door. Coward! Coward" There
was q sound of drumming on the door,.
But Colonel Johns voice and his
blows were powerless to help. as James.
in q frenzy Of rag and alarm; gripped
the girls wrist and twisted 1t. Let
1t go! Let II go. you fool!" he cried,
brutally, "or I will break your arm!"
Her face turned, white with pain,
but for q moment she endured In ST.
ence. Then a shrek escaped her.
1t was answered instantly. Neither
he nor she had had eyes for aught but
another: and the ham that fell and
fell heavily, on James shoulder was
as unexpected as a thunderbolt.
by heaven, man." a voice cried in
his ear. Are you mad? Or Is this
the way you treat women in Kerry? Let
that lady go! Let her go. l say!"
The command was needless, for at
the first sound of the voice James had
fallen back with a curse, and Flavia,
g%rasping her bruised wrist with her
other hand, reeled for support against
the tower wall. For a moment no one
spoke. Then James. with scarcely a
look at Payton-for he 1t Washable
her come away with him. 'If you are
not mad" he growled, you'll have a
care! You'll have a care. and come
away. grill"
when I have let him out, I WILL"
she answered, her eyes glowing SOM
brely as she nursed her wrist. In her,
too, the old Adam had been raised.
''Give me the key!" he said for the
last time.
II will not" she said.
The McMurrough turned his rage
upon the intruder. Deuce take you
what business will II be Of yours?"
he cried. WHO are you to come be-
tween us, ehg' a..
Payton bowed. III I Offend" he said.
airly, Il am entirely at your SERVICE"
He tapped the hilt Of his sword. You
do not wear one but l have no doubt
you can use one. l shall be happy to
give you satisfaction where n when
you please. A time and place.
But James did not stop to hear him
out. He turned with an al and a
snarl and went off-went off in such a
manner that Flavia ould not but see
that the challenge was not to his taste.
At another time she would nave blush
ed for him. But his brutal violence
had done more during the last ten
minutes to depose his image from her
heart han years Of neglect n rude
ness.
Payton saw him go. and, blessing the
good fortune which had put him in a
position to command the beauty's
thanks, he turned to receive them. But
Flavia was not looking at him. was not
thinking Of him. She had put the key
in the lock and was trying to turn 1t.
Her left wrist, however. was too weak,
and the right was so, strained as to be
useless. She signed to him to turn the
key, and he did SO. and threw open the
door, wondering much 1t was all
about.
CONTINUED Next Weekly