The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-01-06
WILD GEESEA
~ BY Stanley j. Meyman.
Copyright, 1909, by Stanley j. weyman.)
CHAPTER XvIlI.-(Continued.)

Copyright. 1909, by Stanley j. weyman.)
CHAPTER XvIlI.-(Continued.)
With q last gesture of defiance he
returned to the house.
1t was two or three days after this
Interview that Colonel Sullivan, de-
scending al the breakfast hour. found
Flavia in the room. He saw her with
surprise, for during those three days
the girl had not sat at meals with him.
Once or twice his entrance had sW'.
prised her, but 1t had been the signal
for her departures: and he had seen no
more Of her than the back OF her head
or the tail of her gown. More often
he had found the men alone and had
sat down with them. Far from re-
senting this avoidance. he had found 1T
proper. He suffered it patiently, and
hoped that by steering a steady course
he would gradually force her to change
her opinion of him.
change he could scarcely hope; yet,
when he saw on this morning that she
meant to abide his coming. he was
secretly and absurdly elated.
She was at II window. but turned
on hearing his step. II am wishing
to speak to you,' she said. But her I'M
forgiving eyes looked out of a hard 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. II am ready to listen." he
answered.
IT am wanting to give you a warm
ing" she said. Your ma Bale does
not share the Immunity which you have
secured, and il you'll be taking my
advice you will send him away. My
uncle is riding as far as Mallow; he
will be absent 10 days. If you think
At, you will allow your man to go with
him. The interval may"-she halted
as If in search of a word, but her eyes
did not leave his-"I did not say it
will, out it may mend matters"
IT am obliged to you,' he answered.
Then he was silent, rejecting.
You are not wishing" she said, with
mar to a risk you do not run your
SELF"
IF you think he is a protection to
you,'' she continued in the same tone.
''do not send him."
H is not that" he replied, unmoved
by her taunt. But l am alone, and
he is a comfort to me-"
LAS you please" she answered.
Nevertheless he shall co. he con-
tinued. ut may b. for the best" He
was thinking hat il he rejected this
overture. she might make no other In
any case" he added, Il hank you"
She did not deign TO answer but
turned and went out On the thresh-
old she met a serving boy and she
paused so that the colonel caught a
momentary glimpse of her face 1t
wore a strange look, Of disgust or OF
horror-he was not sure which-that
appalled, him, so that when the door
rl0coI 1,nnn hor ha rop19inal 1rn2.
ing upon her. Had he misread The
look? Or-what was its meaning?
Could 1t be that h hated him to
that degree. He was in a brown study
when Uncle Ulick came in and on
hrmed the story OF his journey.
you had better come with me-" he
said. II shall lie at Tralee n 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 it. After
breakfast he saw Bale. and the man
consented to go-with forebodings at
which his master affected to smile.
the man said, sticking to his point. II
misdoubt them, your honor. They We're
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"
sharply. TN not hear such words"
But why separate us. your honor?"
Bale pleaded. mot for good, 1 swear.
No. not for good!"
For your greater safety, I hope"
ooh, ay. I understand that! But
what of your honor's?"
i nave explained 10 you" the coll
onel said patiently, why l am safe
here"
For my part. and that's fiat, 1 hate
their blarney!" the man burst out.
Its everything to please you while
they sharpen the pike to stick in your
back"
"Hush!" Colonel John cried sternry.
"And. for my sake. keep your tongue
between your teeth. Be more prudent,
mani"
IT'S my belief I'll never see your
honor again." h man cried with pas
sion. That's my belief and you'll not
stir it."
We've parted before in worse hap"
Colonel John answered. land 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
usual sinking of the heart that Colonel
John saw him ride away on the NOR
row. With him went Uncle Ulick. the
c%olonel'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 chided himself
for a presentiment that helittled 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 Flavia's view.
BE that as it might. he saw nothing
of her on that day or the following day.
But though h stunned him others
did not. He began to remark that he
was seldom seen alone. James and the
O'Briens were always at his elbow
watching. it seemed to him. They said
little. bit If he came out of his Cham