Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-07-28

killed BOyne; yet Boyne had been
found with wound in his heart, and
his own naked sword lying beside him
on the table. The trouble was that
he could not absolutely swear he had
not committed the crime.
The situation was not eased by his
stay in Jail. On the contrary, it began
with a revelation terribly repugnant
to him. He had not long been lodged
in the cell when he received a visit
from Michael Clones, who stretched
out his hand in an agony Of humilia
ton.
"Ah, you didn't do it-you didn't do
it, sir" he cried. "I'm sure you new
err killed him. 1t wasn't your way.
He was for doing you harm If he
could. An evil man he was, as all
the world knows. But there's one
thing that'll be worse than anything
else to you. You never knew it, and
never knew it till an hour ago. Did
you know who Erris BOyne was? Well
I'll tell you. He was the father of
Shela Llyn. He was divorced by Mrs
Llyn many years ago, for having to do
with other women. She took to her
maiden name, and he married again"
Good God! Good Cod" DyCk
Calhoun made a gesture of horror.
Hes Sheila Llyn's father Good
| God"
Suddenly passion of remorse
reused him out of his semi-stupefac-
ton.
michael, Michael" he said, his
voice hoarse, broken. Don't say such
a thing! Are you sureW Michael
nodded.
I'm sure. I got it from one that's
known Erris Boyne and his first wife
and girl-one that was a servant to
them both in past days. He's been
down to Limerick to see Mrs. Llyn
and the beautiful daughter. l met him
an hour ago and he told me. He told
me more. He told me Mrs. Llyn spoke
to him of your friendship with Erris
Boyne, and how she meant to tell you
who and what he was. She said her
daughter didn't even know her fathers
name. She had been kept in ignor-
| ance."
DyCk seated himself on the rough
bed Of the cell and stared at Michael,
his hands between his knees, his eyes
perturbed.
Michael" hep said at last, off it's
true-what you've told mel don't
see my way. Every step in front of
me is black with vileness. To tell the
whole truth is to bring fresh shame
upon Mrs. Llyn and her daughter, and
not to tell the whole truth Is to take
away the only chance | have of get
ting out of this trouble l see that ~
II don't know what you mean, sir,
but I'll tell you this. None that knows
you would believe you'd murder Erris
Boyne or any other man."
Dyck wiped the sweat from his fore
head.
II suppose you speak the truth,
Michael, but 1t isn't people whO've
known me that'Il try me; and can't
| tell ALL"
"Why not, If it'll help you"
II can't-of course l can't. 1t would
be disgrace eternal"
"Why2 Tell me why, sir!''
Dyck looked closely, firmly at the
old servant and friend. Should he
tell the truth-that Boyne had tried
to induce him to sell himself to the
French, to invoke his aid against the
English government, to share in
treason? If he could have told it to
anybody, he would have done so to
Michael; but If 1t was true that in
his blindness he had killed Boyne, he
would not seek to escape by proving
Boyne traitor.
Dyck had foolish strain in him,
after all. Romance was his deadly
foe; 1t made him do stupid, II chival-
rous, thing. Meanwhile, he would
warn the government at once about
the projected French naval raid.
Michael" said Dyck, rising, "see
my father, but you're not to say
didn't kill Boyne for, to tell the truth
don't know. My head"-he put his
hand to it with gesture of despair
my heads a mass of contradictions
Do you know II seems a Thousand
years since I entered that tavern?
can't get myself level with all that's
happened. That Errls Boyne should
be the father of that sweet girl al
Limerick and the husband Of Mrs
Llyn shakes me. Don't you see what
1t means? If l killed him, it spoils
everything-everything. If l didn't
kill him, l can only help myself by
blackenlng still more the life of one
who gave being to"
"Aye, to young queenw inter
rupted Michael. God knows, there's
none like her in Ireland, or in any
other country Mt all"
Suddenly Dyck regained his com
posure; and 1t was the compOsure OF
one who had opened the door of hel
and had realized that in time-per
haps not far off-he also would dwell
in the Internal place.
michael, | have no money, but In
my fathers heir. My father will no
see me starve in prison, nor want f0l