Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-01-11
CHAPTER VI

Seeing that had taken a mans life
for the chance of looking in upon a
drinking bout, l went aghast and would
have fed for very shame had not 1
heard a mention of my name. 1t was
one of the late-comers who spoke it,
a seasoned soldier by his look and
garb.
You say you've bagged this Cap
tain Ireton? Who may he be-? Sure
ly not old Rogers SOM"
1.-The same" said the baronet, short
ly.
"But how came he here? The last
/ knew of him he was a lieutenant in
the Royal Scots"
$50 he was. But afterward he cut
the service and levanted to the Cont
nent"
What brought him overseas, Sir
Francis?"
what was it. think you. Mr.. Stair ?"
asked Falconnet. passing the question
on.
At this they all looked to the mas
ter of Appleby Hundred. and / looked.
too. He was not the man l should
have hit upon in any throng as the
reaver of my fathers estate; still less
the man who might be Margery's faith
er. He had the face of all the Stairs
of Ballantrae without it's simple Scot
fish ruggedness; sort of weasel face
il was, with pale-g gray eyes that had a
trick of shifty lodging, and deep fur
rowed about the mouth and chin with
lines that spoke of INDIGESTION.
90 rht-
should / know" he quavered. "Ap-
pleby Hundred is mine-mine. I tell
you His title was well hanged on a
tree with his rebel father!"
A laugh uproarious from the three
soldiers greeted his petulant outburst;
after which the baronet enlightened
the others.
"As YOU know, Captain John, APP
pleby Hundred once belonged to the
rebel Roger Ireton. and Mr.. Stair here
holds but a confiscator's title. IT'S
likely the. son heard of the war and
thought he stood some chance TO come
into his own again"
"Oh. aye; sure enough" quoth the
elder officer. "Of course he promptly
listed with the rebels when he came
1lASt ANOkCk AIGltl > SUI AOl
My baronet wagged his head assent
ingly to this; then clinched the lie on
words.
'Of course; we have his commission.
He is on De Kalb's staff. detached for
special duty"
"A spy!" roared the jester. And
yet you haven't hanged him!"
Sir Francis shrugged like any
Frenchman. "All in good time. my
dear Captain. There were reasons why
did not care to knot the rope myself.
Besides, we had a little disagreement
years agone across the water; twas
about a woman. He was keen upon
me for satisfaction in this old quar-
rel. and gave 1t him. thinking he'd
hang the easier for little blooding
first"
Here the factor lawyer cut In anx-
iously. 'But you viii hang him. Sir
Francis? You've promised that. you
know"
did not hate my enemy the more
because he turned shoulder to this
little bloodhound and quite ignored the
Interruption.
so we fought it out one morning in
Mr.. Stairs wood held and he had
what he came for. Not to give him
chance TO escape. we brought him here.
and as soon as he is tit to ride III send
him TO the colonel. Tarleton viii give
him a short thrift. promise you. and
then"-this to the master OF Applehy
Hundred-"then your title viii be well
cuieted Mr.. Stair
Having thus disposed OF me. they
came to the graver business OF the
moment. with a toast toe lay the dust
before It 1t was Falconnet who gave
the toast
Here's to our redskins and their
king-How do you call him. Captain
STUART
-Oconostota is the Cherokee OF IL.
though on the border they know him
better as Old Hop"
They discussed plot to make the