Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-09-17

said l. There is no man on the es- |
tate who would not take my part
against yours. especially when l re-
peat what you have said about Mis-
tress Lucy"
And who would believe your" que.
RED the duke. whose anger was at a
frightful height in being thus bsaved
and insuited. In his agitation he tore
at his neck cloth. "'Twould be your
word against mine. and
For the matter of that. my word
will not be uncorroborated," l inter
rupted swiftly.
What do you mean?" iTf
This gentleman
'By gad," said Lord Luftdon. you
are right to appeal to me and you
were right to strike Arcester. I'm
sorry for the girl and for Sir Geof-
frey and ashamed for my friend"
Would you turn against me In
| this?" cried the duke.
II certainly would"
God" whispered his grace hotly,
fumbling at the empty sheath, Il wish
I had my swor1w
There is Sir Geoffrey's sword" said
Lord Luftdon, who did not lack cour-
age, clutching his own blade as he
spoke and making as if to draw it.
''No," said 1, master OF the situation
as I meant to be, there will be no
more fighting over the dead body of
Sir Godfrey. You and Lord Luftdon
can settle your differences elsewhere"
"On second thought, there will be no
further settlement" said Luftdon, re
gaining his GOODNESS and thrusting
back into its scabbard his half drawn
blade. His grace and are in too
many things to make permanent diff
ference between US possible"
II thought So" replied.
by gad," laughed Luftdon, 81 like
your spirit, lad! Who are you and
what are you?".
The late gardeners son."
do they breed such as you down
here IN these gardensT''
"As to that know not. my lord.
am a sailor. have commanded my
own ship and made. my own fortune.
come back here between cruises be-
cause am devoted to-
The woman" sneered the duke.
And / marveled at the temerity of the
man., seeing that l could have choked
him to death with one hand.
Mention her name again." cried.
land you will lie beside your victim
yonder.'e s.
Right said Luftdon approvingly.
''I come back here because am fond
of the old place; it is my home. My
people have served the Wilberforces
for generations. Their .forbears- and
mine lie together in the cburchyard
around the hill yonder. You can't un-
derstand devotion like that" said /
turning to the duke, land it is not nee
essary that you should"
"And indeed what is necessary for
me. pray?" he sneered.
THAT you leave the place at once"
without speech with my lady%
without speech with any one. There
is good inn at the village. will
take it upon myself to see that your
servants pack your mails and follow
you there at once"
81 will not be ordered about like
this" protested the duke.
"Oh, yes. you wiIl,' said Luftdon
THE advice he gives is good. We
have nothing more to do here. Don't
be a fool. Arcester. You have got
everything you wanted in this game
and it is only just that you should pay
little for it What's your name, my
man"
Never mind what it is"
~Are you ashamed Of it"
;. "Hampdon"
: Hampton. you may not be gentle
S man." said Luftdon. 'but by CAD vol
j are man, and here is my hand on itr
a He had played a mans part so
8 clasped it.
And so they went down the path
|. leaving me not greatly relishing m,
{ triumph, for I had to tell Mistres!
Lucy all that had happened.
d The scarlet of my lady's riding Goa
e as she galloped up the tree covere'
d road attracted my attention. quick
|. ened my pace, and we arrived at tn
She was alone, for she had EVIDENT.
y chosen to ride unaccompanied.
stood silent before her with tina
7 curious dumbness 1 generally expert
! ence when first entering her presence
while she drew rein sharply. She wa
b. a little thing compared to me-iRdeed
= small compared even to the averag
woman, but in one sense she was tn
= biggest thing had ever confronted.
was almost afraid of heri / who feaI
|, ed nothing else. What she thought o
me was of little moment to her.
: 1t was Mistress Lucy's regular habi
to take morning gallop every day. j
was that usual custom that caused he
to look so fresh and young and beau
: tiful. that put the color in her chez
and the sparkle in her eye.
e She nodded carelessly, yet kindly,
me. 1t was her habit, that careles
kindness. When she was little gil
and had been a great boy we ha
70 played together Familiarity. but tina
70 was long since over. Then she locke
about for a groom. The steps that lie
II to the terrace were deserted. Sir Geoi
IL frey of late had grown slack in tn
administration of affairs on account Q
lie his troubles. and no one was presenf
ir Mistress Lucy stared at me, frowning.
&c CHAPTER II.