Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1921-08-04

you would DelleVe you u Wuruer Eriis
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'll try me; and can't
tell ALL"
"Why not, If It'll help, you"
81 can't-of course can't. 1t would
be disgrace eternal"
"Why? Tell me why, sir!r
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 1t to
anybody, he would have done so to
Michael; but If it was true that in
his blindness he had killed Boyne, he
would not seek to escape by proving
Boyne'a traitor.
Dyck had foolish strain In him,
after all. Romance was his deadly
foe; 1t made him do stupid, If 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,
l don't know. My head"-he put his
hand to it with q gesture Of despair
my heads a mass of contradictions.
Do you know it seems a thousand
years since 1 entered that tavern? |
can't get myself level with all that's
happened. That Erris Boyne should
be the father of that sweet girl at
Limerick and the husband Of Mrs.
Llyn shakes me. Don't you see what
it means? If l killed him, it spoils
everything-everything. If I didn't
kill him, I can only help myself by
blackening still more the life of one
who gave being to"
AYE, to young queen" inter.
rupted Michael. "God knows, there's
none like her In Ireland, or In any
other country at allw
Suddenly Dyck regained his COM
posure; and it was the composure Of
one who had opened the door Of hell
and had realized that In time-per-
haps not far off-he also would dwell
in the Internal place.
michael, l have no money, but I'm
my fathers heir. My father will not
see me starve in prison, nor want for
defense, though my attitude shall be
no Defense So bring me decent food
and some clothes, and send to ME here
Will Mccormick, the lawyer. He's as
able a man as there Is in Dublin.
Listen, Michael, you're not to speak Of
Mrs. Llyn and Miss Llyn as related to
Errls, Boyne. What will come Of what
you and l know and don't know,
Heaven only has knowledge; but I'll
see it through. I've spoiled as good
chances as ever young man had
that wants to make his way; but drink
and cards, Michael, and the flare Of
this id life at the center-lt got
hold of me. 1t muddled, drowned the
best that was in me. It's the witch's
kitchen, Dublin Is. Ireland's the only
place in the world where they make
saints Of criminals and pray to them;
where they lose track Of time and think
they're in eternity; where emotion is
saturnine logic and death Is the touch
stone of life. Michael l don't see any
way to safety. Those fellows down at
the tavern were friends Of Erris Boyne.
They're against me. They'll hang me
II they CAM"
II don't believe they can do 1t, mas.
ter. Dublin and Ireland think more
of you than they did of Erris Boyne.
There's nothing behind you except the
wlldness Of youth-nothing at all"
Dyck smiled.
you've a lot of faith in me, Michael
but I'll tell you this: never was
so thirsty in my life. My mouths
like red-hot iron. Send me some
water. Give the warder siXpence, If
you've got it, and send me some wa
ter. Then go to Will Mccormick, and
after that to my father"
Michael shook his head dolefully.
"Mr. McCormick's aisy-Oh, aiSy
enough" he said. Hell lep up at the
idea Of defendin' you, but Pm not
takin' pleasure In going to Miles Cal
houn, for he's hard man these days.
Aw, Mr.. Dyck, he's had lot Of trou-
BILE. Things has been gOin' wrong with
Playmore. 'POn honor, don't know
whether amy of it'll last as long as
Miles Calhoun lasts. There'l be little
left for you, Mr.. Dyck. That's what
troubles me. l tell you It'd break my
heart If that place should be lost to
your father and you. | was born on
ii. I'd give the best years Of the life
that's left me to make sure the old
house could stay in the hands OF the
| Calhouns. / say to you that while
live all l am is yours, fair and foul.
good and bad" He touched his breast
with his right hand. "In here is the
soul Of Ireland that leps up on the
heights for the things that matter
There's q sOng-but never mind about