Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-01-14
Copyright, 1909, by Stanley ]. Weyman.)
CHAPTER XvIIL-(Continued)

rRtllrnG0 10 Llle IOuSCs
n was two or three days after TINS
interview that Colonel Sullivan, de-
scending at the breakfast hour, rouna
Flaviat in the room. He saw her WITH
surprise, for during those three aays
the girl had not sat at meals Win nllh'
Once or twice his entrance hao SUI
prised her, but il had been ire slsnai
for her departure; and ne mao seen no
more of her than the back OF Ner neao
~ tbe tail of her gown. More often
he had found the men alone ana haa
sat down with them. Far from re.
senting this avoidance, he a GUN II
nroner, He suffered il patiently, ana
hoped that by steering g STEADY course
he would gradually force her 10 chanse
her opinion of him.
That she was already beginning 10
change he could scarcely ~ w.,
when he saw on this morning that
meant to abide his coming, ne was
secretly and absurdly elated.
She was at the window. but turned
nm hearing his step. Il am wishing
TO speak to you," she said. But her I'M
forgiying eyes looked out OF a nara cut
face. and her figure was stiff as a SER
geant's cane.
After that he did not try to compass
a commonplace greeting. He bowed
gravely. Il am ready to listen ne
answered.
II am wanting to give you a warn
Ing she said your man Bale does
not share the immunity which you have
secured, and if you'll be taking my
advice you win send him away. nay
uncle is riding as far as MalloW; ne
will be absent 10 days. II you thlnk
AT YOU will allow your man TO go with
him The interval may"-she halted
as n in search Of a word, but her eyes
Az not leave hist did not say IT
will. but it may mend matters"
'I am obliged TO you," he answered.
Then he was silent, rejecting.
"You are not wishing, she said with
a touch Of contempt, ITO expose the
man to a risk you do not run your
self?"
IF you think he is a protection TO
YOU" she continued in the same toneN
do not send him"
"He is not that" he replied, unmoved
by her taunt. But ! am alone, and
he is a comfort to me-
"As you please" she answered.
Nevertheless he shall CO." he con-
tinued. ut may be for the best He
was thinking that if he rejected this
overture, she might make no other. IN
any case" he added, Il thank YOU"
She did not deign to answer but
turned and went out. On the thresh-
old she met a serving boy aid she
paused so that the colonel caught a
momentary glimpse Of her face. IT
wore a strange look. Of disgust or or
horror-he was not sure whlch-that
appalled, him, so that when the door
closed upon her, he remained gaz-
ing upon her. Had he misread the
look? Or-what was It's meaning?
Could it be that she mated him TO
that degree. He was in a brown study
when Uncle Ulick came in n con-
frmed the story of his journey.
you had better come with me-" he
said. Il shall lie at Tralee one night
and at Ross Castle one night and at
Mallow the third"
But Colonel John had set his course
and was resolved to abide by 1t. After
breakfast he saw Bale, and h man
consented to go-with forebodings at
which his master affected TO smile.
None the less 1 misdoubt them"
the man said, sticking to his point. Il
misdoubt them, your honor. They were
never so careful for me-" he added
grimly, when they were for piking
me in the bog"
"The young lady had naught to do
with that" Colonel John replied.
THE deuce take me If / know.
Nonsense, mani" the colonel said
sharply. I'll not hear such words"
but why separate us, your honor?"
Bale pleaded. mot for good, l swear.
No, not for good!"
For your greater safety, / hope"
"Oh, ay, / understand that! But
what Of your honor's?"
II have explained to YOU" the coll
onel said patiently, why | am a
here"
ona +ha+,s aat ISbota
their blarneyi" the man burst out.
"It's everything to please you while
they sharpen the pike to stick in your
back"
Hush" Colonel John cried stormy.
"And, for my sake, keep your tongue
between your teeth. Be more prudent,
mani"
honor again!" the maj cried with pas
sion. That's my belief and you'll not
stir it,"
We've parted before In worse hap"
Colonel John answered, "and come to-
gether again. Well do the same this
time"
The man did not answer, but for the
rest of the day he chung to his master
like a burr, and il was with an un-
usual sinking OF the heart that Colonel
John saw him ride away or the NOR
row. With him went Uncle Ulfck, the
| colonel's other friend In the house, and
certainly the departure OF these two
seemed unlucky. But the man who
was left behind was not one to give
way to vain fears. He cflided himself
| for a presentiment that belittled Prov
idence. Perhaps, in the depths of his
| heart, he welcomed a change, finding
cheer In the thought that the smaller
the household at Morristown the more
| prominently and therefore the more
fairly he must stand in Fiavia's view
BE that as 1t might, he saw nothing
OF her on hat day or the following day
But though she Stunned him others
did not. He began to remark thai he
was seldom seen alone. James and the
O'Briens were always at his elbow
watching. 1t seemed TO him. They said
little. but IL he came out of his cham
Der he found one in the passage, and
If he mounted TO 1t one forewent him!
HhiS fis this endless watching
would have got on the nerves Of a
| more fimid naan.it he~.. a...
| him. He began to fancy thai ever
Darby and the serving boys looked
askance at him and kept him in view
Once he took a notion that the butler
who had been friendly within limits
vvfoNad IN SOU Sornafbfp0 ~ hfp. p,x n