The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-02-17

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Asgtl. forced to keep his blade in mo.
Itlon, was beginning to breathe quickly
Inc sweat stood on his brow, he STRUCK
more and more wildly and with less
and less strength or aim. He was aware
lit could be read In the glare OF his
defensive. and he knew that would be
fatal.
An oath broke from his painting lips
and he rushed in again. even more
lrecklessly. more at random than before
his sole object now to kill the other. to
stab him at close quarters. no matter
what happened to himself.
Again Payton avoided the full force
OF the rush, but this time after a diff
ferent fashion. He retreated a. step,
Then with a flicker and a girdtng OF
steel on steel. Asgill's sword flew from
MIS- hand and at the same instant-or SO
nearly at the same instant that the dis
armlng and the thrust might have
seemed to an unframed eye one motion
|-Payton turned his wrist and his
sword buried itself in Asgill's body. The
unfortunate man recoiled with q gasp
ing cry. staggered and sank sideways
to the ground.
BY the powers!" o'Beirne exclaimed.
springing forward, a foul stroke. BY
armed. tt
Have a care what you say!" Pay
ton answered slowly, and in a terrible
n You'd do better to look to your
friend. for he'll need it." 6.3Ss5
It's you that struck him after he
weeping with rage mot a bit Of a
chance did you give him! Your
silence, I say!H Payton answered, in
a fierce tone of authority. ST know nv
duty. and IL you know yours you'll look
to him.
He turned aside with that and thrust
the point OF his sword twice and thrice
weapon Meanwhile Morty had cast
himself down beside the fallen man.
who. speechless. and with his head
hanging. continued to support himself
on his hand. A patch Of blood, bright
colored. was growing slowly on his vest
and there was blood or his lips.
oh, whirra. whirra, whatll I do?''
W,ringing his hands. "What'll I do for
him /? He's murdered entirely!"
PAXTON. aided by OF the troopers,
was putting on his Goa and vest. He
paused to bid the other help the gentle-
man. Then with a cold look for the
FALLEN nan for whom. though they had
peen friends, as friends go in the world,
he seemed to have no feeling except one
OF contempt, he walked away in the
of the rear Of the house.
BY the time he reached the back DOR
the alarm was abroad. the maids were
running to and fro and screaming. and
on IN threshold he encountered Fiavia,
Pale az the stricken man, she looked
Paytonawith an eye Of horror. and.
as he stood abide 70 let her. pass. she
drew her skirts away, that they might
not touch him.
He went n. with rage in his heart.
Very good my LADY," he muttered:
very good! But I've not done with
you yet. I know q good way Is null
your, pride down. And I'll, 70 about
A." -
He might have spoken less conndent-
~ e he. before he retired from the
scene OF the fight. cast one upward
Glance in. the direction of the, house;
ne marked an opening high up In
q OF the yew, and noticed
through the opening a window. no
placed that It alone Of all the windows
IN the house commanded the scene Of
action: For then he would have dis
covered q that easement q face he
knew. and q pair Of stern eyes that
hadsfolioWed the course Of the strugeie
throughout, noted each separate attack.
Inc judged the issue-and the man.
And he might have taken warning,
LML HfH ST. "LaZ 49, - A go