Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-02-11

4 Slldtiit " dLl u Sllt EVIL ' ~
say what she had to say cost her in
humiliation more than her brother had
paid for aught in his selfish life. But
Ii had 70 be said, and after a pause,
and with eyes averted, MY brother is
ILL.," she faltered. He cannot meet
that man thiS morning. X 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 her
mouth, what she had to say-nay, for
hours he had lain ~sleepless on his bed,
anticipating it. He had been certain
OF the issue-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 to
do.
He made no haste to answer, there
fore. and his tone. when he did answer
was dull and l~ifeless. rs ii i'll he is? ?"
he asked. It's a bad morning to be
i'll and a meeting on hand"
She did not answer.
rs he too bad to stand?" he con-
tinued. He made no attempt to hide
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 L am to-put it 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
AZyD ~ 1 - lit -.@.,II larA hs-
honor in the mud. The other by an ex-
PLANTATION after a different fashion, with
the word liar" ready to answer to
the word coward" But he who gave
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; nom better. And I'M
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, low a drawn him to con-
template this very thing. For surely
If he did this and lived, FIavia would
smile on him. Surely, If he saved her
brothers honor, she would be won. 1t
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 women, he had
made up his mind TO run the risk.
1t went for something hat he be
lived that Flavia, if he failed her, would
go TO Colonel Sullivan. IL she did that,
Asgill was sure that his own chance
was at an end. This was his chance.
1t lay with him now, today, at this mo-
ment-to dare or to retire, to win her
favor at the risk OF his life, or to yield
her to another. In the chill morning
he had discovered that he must
risk all or lose all; and he had decided.
i will make it possible" he said,
slowly, questioning in his mind whether
he dared make terms with her. Il will
make it possible" he repeated, still
more slowly, and with his eyes fixed on
her face.
IF you could" she cried, clasping
her hands.
Il Will" he said, a sullen undertone
in his voice. His eyes still dwelt darkly
on her. IF he raises an objection. /
will fight ~him-myself!"
She shrank from him. "Ah, but I
can't ask that" she cried. trembling.
lit is that or nothing"
That Or
ACA - III Ill way lIC odlIs
He spoke with the same ungracious-
ness; for, try as he would, and though
the habit and the education of a life
cried to him to treat with her and
make conditions, he could not; and he
was enraged that he could not.
The more rs her wet Eyes, her quick,
mounting color, told of her gratitude.
In another moment she might have said
a word fit to unlock his lips. And he
would have spoken; n she would
pledged herself. But Fate, in the
person Of old Darby, interviewed. Time
ly or untimely, the butler appeared in
the distant doorway, cried Hist" and,
by a backward gesture warned them
of some approaching peril.
II fear"- she began.
Yes, go!" Asgill replied, almost
roughly. He is coming, and he must
not find us together"
The garden gate had barely closed
on her skirts before Payton issued
from the courtyard. The Englishman
paused an instant in the gateway, his
sword under his arm and a handker.
chief in his hand. Thence he looked
up and down the road with an air of
confidence that provoked Asgill beyond
measure. The sun did not seem bright
enough for him, nor the air scented to
his liking. Hastily he approached the
Irishman, who, affecting to be engaged
with his own thoughts, had kept his
distance.
rs he ready?" he asked, with a sneer.
With an effort Asgill controlled him
self. He is not" he said.
AT his prayers, is he? Well, he'll
need Thin"
RE is moi, 10 my knowledge" Asgill
replied. But he Is H.
''Payton's face lightened with a 10y
not pleasant to see. "A cowardi" he
said coolly. II am not surprised. III,
is he? Ay, / know that illness. It's not
the first time I've met it,"
Continued Next Weekly