The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-02-17
Copyright. 1909. by Stanley ]. wsyman
CHAPTER XXII-(Contined.)

IL TO be well deserved, his temper
Slapped by the knowledge that low
was forcing him into q position which
reason r~epudiated, a V way, and HI
spoke his tru thoughts.
What a bully YOU are. Payton," HI
said in his slowest n Sure, anc
you insult the mans sister in YOU
drink"
Whats that to you?"
"You insult the mans sister," Asgil
persisted coolly, and because he treats
you like the tipsy creature you are
you'd Kill him like a dog"
Payton turned white. And you, too
he said, IF you say another word!
What in heavens name is amiss with
you, man, this morning? Are you
mad?r
IN not hear the word Coward used
OF the family I'll soon be one Of" As
gill returned. speaking on the p u OF
of he moment, and wondering II him
self the he had made the state
ment. That's what I'm meaning. Do
you see? And if O are for repeating
the word, more by token. it'll be all
the breakfast you'll have. for I'll cram
II down you ugly throat"
Payton stared, divided between rage
and establishment. But the former was
not slow TO get the upper hand, and
enough said" he replied. IF you are
willing to make 1t good you'H be COM
ing inns way"
Willingly" Asgill answered.
III have n of my men for witness.
Ay, that I will. l do not trust yon, Mr..
Asgill. and that's fiat. Get you whom
you please. In five minutes. in the
garden, them"
Asgill nodded. The Englishman
looked once more at him to make sure
that he was sober, then he turned on
his heel and went back through the
court yard, Asgill remained alone.
lie had taken the step there was
no retracing. He had cast the dice
and the next few minutes would decide
whether 1t was for life or death. The
sunshine lost its warmth and grew
pale: the hills lost their color and their
beauty as he reflected tina he might
lever see the enc or the other again.
might never return by hat lakeside
road by which he had come-as he re-
membered that all his plans for his
ACCOMPLISHMENTS, and they were many
n clever, might end this day. this
morning, this hour! 1t might well be,
Tor the odds were great against him.
that II was to this day that all his life
had led up: that life by which men
you'd by and by judge him, recalling
this chicane and that extortion. thank
ing Coz that he was dead, or perhaps
one here and there Struggling his
in good natured regret.
Faith. Mr.. Asgin," cried a voice in
his ear. It's if you're i'll. the majors
asking. And, by the power, It's not
very well you're looking this day."
Asgill eyed the interruptor--it was
Morty O'Beirne-with a s]ternness
which his pallor made more striking.
Il am coming" he said. Il am coming
fight him"
The deuce you are" the young man
answered. Now, are you meaning?
This morning that eve is?"
"Ay, now. Where is
He stopped on the word. and was
silent. Instead, he looked across the
court yard IN the direction of the house.
II ne might see her again. If he might
speak to her. But no. Yet-was it
certain that she knew-that she I'M
1erstood? And if she understood
you'd she know that he had gone to
he meeting well-nigh without hope,
ware how large, how very large, were
he odds against him2
But faith. and it's no lest fighting
lim. the the least bit in life OF what
We heard b. true!" Morty said . cloud
N MS ace. He looked uncertainty from
Assill to the house and back. rs it to
'e doing anything you want me-"
l want you to come with me and see
out. Asgill said. He wheeled
to the garden gate, but when &
= Wa' WleAlH d pace CT 1t he paused
nd turned his head. 'Mr O'Reirne "
e said. I'm going in by this gate. and
IS not much to be expected I'll come
ut any way but feet first. Will YOU
e telling her, II o please, that III
that same?"
Il WILL Morty answered. eenu,ne,v
istressed. But I'm asking Is there no
Their way" (,
pened the gate. !
Payton was waiting for him on the
ath under the yew trees, with two Of (
IS troopers on guard in the back
lie had removed his coat and
and stood. a not ungracefuf figure (
! the sunshine, bending his rapier and
ceiling Its point with his thumb. He
as cong THIS when his eyes, surprised
miled.
II the others courage had begun to
'ane that smile would have restored
!. Fol 1t aroused in him a rong
assion than fear-the passion of ha-
red. He saw In the man before him.
ne man with the cruel smile, a demon
no, n pure malice, without. reason
nj without cause, would take his life.
,ould rob him of joy and love and sun
nine, and hurl him into the blackness
I the gulf. And he was seized with "a
age al once fierce and deliberate. This i
who would kill him and whom he
smiling before him, he would kill
thirsted to set him foot upon his
hroat and squeeze. and squeeze the life
,ut of him. These were the thoughts
hat passed through his mind as he
to throw off the encumbering
;oat. Then he advanced, drawing Ms
veapon as he moved, and fixing his
yes on Payton: Who. for his part =
'eading the Others thoughts in his face
for more than once he had seen thar
himself on his guard witf.-
tut a word.
Asgill had no more than the r,,di-
nentary Knowledge of the sword which
vas possessed in that day by all who
wore 1t. He knew that, given time and Il
decent o~bservances ofttha fes..in-&
he would be a mere child in
'aytonss hands; that 1t would matter
whether the sun were on this
'ide or that, or his sword the longer or
he shorter by an inch.
The moment he was within reach
and his blade touched the
otherss, he rushed in, lunging fiercely at
MS opponents breast and trusting to
he vigor of his attack and the circularl
weep OF his point to protect himself.
Not seldom has q man skilled In the
of the art found himself con-
used and oyQrrnrpa kxy ~, l.. n ..a-NLs \