The independent-reporter., 1921-10-27

ers, and once at her home In Limerick.
The time he had spent with her had
been very brief, but full of life. inter
est and character. Whether at 10y
land towers, or at her mothers house
In Limerick. there was no touch of for
wardness In her. or In anything she
said or did, She was the most natural
had ever known.
AS Erris Boyne talked to him, the
memory of Sheila flooded his mind. and
on the flood his senses swan like
swans. He had not her careful com
posure. He was just as real, but he
had the wilfulness of man. She infiu-
enced him as no woman had ever yet
done; but he saw no happy ending to
the dream. He was too poor to marry !;
he had no trade or profession; his
fathers affairs We're in bad way.
He did not know that Erris Boyne
cause. How could he know that Boyne
was an agent of the most evil forces in
lreland-an agent of skill and address,
prepossessing, with the face of Celtic
poet and the eye of an assassin?
Boyne's. object was to bring about
the downfall Of Dyck Calhoun-that
is, his downfall as a patriot. At the
Breakneck club this bad business be-
gan. 1t was here that Dyck again
met that tall. ascetic messenger from
the attorney general. who had brought
the message to Miles Calhoun. 1t was
with this man-Leonard Mallow, eldest
son of Lord Mallow-that Dyck, with
three others, played cards one after
noon.
The instructive antipathy which had
marked their first introduction was car
ried on to this later meeting Dyck
dstrusted Mallow, and allowed his dis
trust exercise. 1t was unfortunate
that Mallow won from him three
fourths of the money he had brought
to the club, and won it with n smile
not easy to forgive.
-Dyck had at last secured real sue
cess In a scheme of his cards when
Mallow asked with sneer:
ibid you learn that at your home
in heaven?"
Don't they teach 1t where you live
in hell?' was Dyck's reply. ~
At this Mallow fiicked Dyck across
the face with his handkerchief.
That's what they teach where be-
long"
We'll, it's easy to learn, and we'll do
the sum at any time or place you
please" After moment Dyck con
tinued II wouldn't make fuss over it,
Let's finish the game. There's no good
prancing till the sports ready; so I'll
SIT and learn more of what they teach
in hell !"
Dyck had been drinking, or he would
not have spoken so; and when he was
drunk daring was strong iu him. He
hated profoundly this man--so self
satisfied and satanic.
He kept perfect coolness, however
Leonard Mallow should not see that
he was upset. His wanton wordiness
came to his rescue and until the end
of the game he played with sang froid
daring and skill. He loved cards; ht
loved the strife of skill against skill.
of trick against trick, of hand against
hand. He had never fought duel in
his life. but he had no fear of doing so
At length, having won back nearl!
all he had lost, he rose to his feet and
looked round.
as there anyone here from whom !
can ask favor?"
Several stepped forward. Dych
nodded. One of them he knew. 1t was
Sir Almeric Foyle.
Thank you. Sir Almeric," he said ;
thank you. Shall 1t be swords or piS
tolls Z" he asked his enemy coolly.
Swords, II you please" remarked
Mallow grimly. for he had a gift with
the sword.
Dyck nodded again.
"As you will As you will :"
-
Never In all Ireland's years had sh'
more beautiful day than that In
which Dyck Calhoun and the Hon.
Leonard Mallow met to settle their ac-
count In secluded corner OF Phoenix
park. 1t was not the usual place for
duels. The seconds had taken care to
keen the locale from the knowledge OF
the public; especially as many who had
come to know of the event at the
Breakneck club were eager to be pres
ent.
The affair began an hour after sun
rise. Neither Dyck nor Leonard Nal
low slept at home the night before. but
in separate taverns near Phoenix park.
Mallow came almost Jauntily TO the
obscure spot. Both men had sensitive
ness and both entered the grounds
with certain thrill of pleasure soften.
ing the acerbity of the moment.
Dyck moved and spoke like a man
charged with some fluid which had alb
him from life's monotOnous
He had to consider the chance
of never leaving the grounds alive; yet
as he entered the place, where smooth
grass between the trees made good
footing for the work to be done, the
thrill of the greenery, the sound of the
birds, the flick of lizard across the
path, and the distant gay leap of
A., l.