The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-01-27

his reproaches. had done something
more than shock her. The scales OF
prejudice which had diG1med her sight
fell from her eyes, and for the first
time she saw him as ne was. For tho
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
from him remained branded upon her
memory: and she wept In shame. feel-
ing her helplessness, her ignorance.
feeling that she had nj longer any
sure support or prop. How could she
trust those who. taking advantages at
affection for her brother. had drawn
| her into this hideous, this cruel bust
ness?
The sense. of her loneliness. the knowl-
edge that those about her used her for
their w ends-and those the most
neutrality-suspicious. her.
When the first passion of her self
reproach had spent itself. she heard
him calling her by name, n In q
voice that stirred her heartstrinss. She
rose. first to her knees and then to her
feet. and averting her face. Il will open
broken voice. II have brought the key"
He did not answer. and she did not
unlock. For as, still keeping her face
averted that he might not see her tears.
she turned the corner OF h tower to
gain the door. her brothers head and
platform. AS The McMurrough stepped
on to the latter from the path he was
in time to see her skirt vanishing. He
saw no more. But his suspicious were
aroused. He strobe across h face Of
the tower, turned the corner and came
on her in the act Of putting the key
in the lock.
what are you doing" hi 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
might in another minute be free to
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,
an .Gi Hs 'i Il m 81 Sn he cried il from 3 asr; you
Il win not!" she cried. moi"
"Give 1t up, I say" he retorted. And
this time he made good his hold or
her wrist. He tried to force the key
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 rage n alarm. gripped
the girls wrist n twisted 1t. Let
It go! Let It 60. you fool!" he cried.
brutally, .'or I will break your arm!"
Nae poan <y,vnnN xryh}ko NTH ~o}~
hut for q moment she endured in 81
lence. Then q shrek escaped her.
It was answered instantly. Neither
he nor she had had yes for aught but
one another: and the hand that fell and
fell heavily. on James shoulder was
as unexpected a. "a thunderbolt.
by heaven. man." a voice cried in
the way you treat women in Kerry? Let
that lady go! Let her q. I say"
The command was needless. for at
the first sound OF the. voice James had
fallen back with q curse, and Flav1a,
grasping her bruised wrist with her
other hand. reeleds for support against
the tower Tb wall. Ia ros 2 w mGms scsr neren =
look at Payton-for he 1t was-bade
her come away with him. IL you are
not mad" he growled. you'll have s
care! You'll have care. and come
away, girl"
| 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.
Il viii not" she said.
,n The I'M Me intlnSsr. ! sHrnsa t his z ysS'
what business will 1t be Of yours?'
he cried. Who are you to come be-
tween US. eh?'
Payton bowed. 'It I Offend" he said,
airly, II am entirely at your service
He tapped the hilt Of his sword. you
you can use one. I shall be happy to
give you satisfaction where and when
you please. A time and place.
But James did no stop to hear him
out. He turned with an oath and q
snarl and went off-went off in such a
manner that Flavia could. not but see
that the challenge was not to his taste.
At another time she would have blush
ed for him. But his brutal violence
| had lone more during the last ten
minutes to depose his image from her
heart than years Of neglect and rude
ness.
Payton saw him 60, and, blessing the
good fortune which had put him in q
position to command the beauty'a
thanks, he turned to receive them. But
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 vas y strained as to be
useless. She signed to him to turn the
key, and he did 30, n threw open the
door, wondering much what 1t was all
about.
CONTINUED Next week.)