The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-02-10

say what she had to say cost her IT
humiliation more than her brother hac
paid for aught in his selfish life. But
1t had to be said, and after a pause
and with eyes averted. My brother Is
i'll" she faltered. He cannot meet
that man this morning. 1t is-as
you feared. And-what can we do"
In another case Luke Asgill would
have blessed the chance that linked
him with her, cast her on his help
He had guessed, before she opened hel
mouth, What she had to say--nay, fol-
hours he had lain sleepless on his bed
anticipating it. He had been certain
of the 1ssue-he knew James McMur-
rough; and, being a man who loved
Flavia indeed, but loved life also, he
had foreseen, with the cold sweat on
his brow, what he would be driven TIC
do.
He made no haste to answer, there
fore, and his tone, when he did answer,
was dull and l~ifeless. rs it Ill he fs?'
he asked. It's a bad morning to be
i'll and a meeting OF hand"
She did not answer.
rs he too bad to stand?" he con-
tinued. He made no attempt to hid
his comprehension or his scorn.
Il don't say that she faltered.
Perhaps he told YOU" Asgill said
and there was nothing OF the lover in
his tone-"to speak to me?"
She nodded.
1T is I am to-put 1t off, 1 suppose?"
pose?"
IF it be possible" she cried. "Oh, if
it be possible. Is it?"
He stood, thinking, with a gloomy
face. From the first he had seen that
there were two ways out OF extricating
The McMurrough. The one by a mild
explanation, which would leave his
honor in the mud. The other by an ex-
PLANTATION after a different fashion, with
the word liar" ready to answer to
this last explanation must be willing
to back the word with the deed, and
stop cavilling with the sword point.
Now, Asgill knew the Majors skill
with the sword; none better. And IN
der other circumstances. the Justice
cold, selfish, scheming-would have
gone many a mile about before he en-
tered upon a quarrel with him. None
the less, love had drawn him to con-
template this very thing. For surely
If he did this and lived. Flavia would
smile on him. Surely, if he saved her
brothers honor, she would be won. It
was a forlorn, it was a desperate expe-
dent. For no other advantage would
Luke Asgill have faced the Majors
sword point. But, whatever he was, he
loved. He loved! And for the face and
form beside him, and for the quality Of
soul that shone from the girls eyes,
and made her what she was. and to him
different from all other he had
made up his mind to run the risk.
1t went for something that he be
lived that Flavia, If he failed her, would
go to Colonel Sullivan. If she did that
Asglll was sure that his own chance
was at an end. This was his chance.
lay with him now, today, at his mo-
favor at the risk Of his life, or to yield
to another, In the chill morning
he had discovered that he must
'lsk all or lose all; and he had decided.
Il will make it possible" he said,
slowly, questioning in his mind whether
ne dared make terms with her. II will
make it possible" he repeated, still
more slowly, and with his eyes fixed On
IF you could!" she cried, clasping
her hands.
Il Wilt" he said, a sullen undertone
n his voice. His eyes still dwelt darkly
her. IF he raises an objection, I
Will fight him-myself!"
She shrank from him. "Ah, but I
ant ask that!" she cried, trembling.
IT Is that or nothing"
There IS no other way" he said.
lie spoke with the same ungractous-
less; for, try as he would. and though
he habit and the education of g life
Il to him to treat with her and
make conditions. he could not; and he
vas enraged that he could not.
Inc more as her wet eyes, her quick,
Mounting color. told of her gratitude.
n another momen she might have said
word fir fN 1Iy1OoJr 1t, H.. a. !, -
you'd have spoken: nj she would
pledged herself. But Fate, in the
'erson of old Darby, interviewed. Time
y or untimely, the butler appeared in
distant doorway, cried 'Hist!" end.
~ a backward gesture warned them
# some approaching peril.
Il fear'- she began.
Yes, go!" Asgill replied, almost
lot find US together"
The garden gate had barely closed
N her skirts before Payton issued
rom the courtyard. The E%ngllshman
'aused an instant in the gateway. his
word under his arm and a handker.
hief in his hand. Thence he looked
!P n down the D with an air of
onhdence that provoked Asgill beyond
neasure The sun did not seem bright
nough for him. nor the air scented to
lis liking. Hastily he approached the
rishman, who, affecting to be engaged
With his own thoughts, had kept his
distance.
rs he ready?" he asked, with a sheer.
With an effort Asgill controlled hir.
elf. He is not" he said.
AT his prayers. is he? Well. he'u
iced thin"
He Is not, to my knowledge" Asgill
But he is Ill.,"
"Payton's face lightened with a low
lot pleasant to see. "A cowardI" he
aid coolly. II am not surprised nj
$ he? Ay, I know that illness. It's NOT
he first time I've met it,"
Continued Next week.)
Stick to the Farm.
Stick he farm" saws the Pras;den+
To tie wide-eyed farmer boy,
he HES him back to his White