Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Dakota County herald. (Dakota City, Neb.) 1891-1965 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 22, 1921)
DAKOTA COUNTY HERALD T I i V WrawWMWJWWWtoWWK'ttJWWW NO Q THE MURDER. , Synopsis. Returning homo after a day's shooting, Dyck Calhoun, gifted young Irish gentleman of tho time of the French and American revolutions, meets Sheila Llyn, sov-enteon-year-old girl visiting In Uw neighborhood. They are mutually attracted. Bhclla never know her dissipated father, Errls Boyne, her a other having divorced htm and A turned her maiden name. Reach lng home, Dyck finds Leonard Mallow, son of Lord Mallow, with a rVssage from the attorney gen oral summoning Miles Calhoun, Dyck's father, to Dublin. They go to Dublin and there Mal low quarrels with Dyck and a duel Is arranged. They light with swords and Dyck Is victor. Errls Dome, secrotly In French employ, gets Dyck drunk and tries to per suade him to Join In revolt against England. 19 (CHAPTER IV Continued.) -3- "Whnt's that you say about French chips In the hnrbors of Ireland?" lie said lu a tone that showed Interest. "Of course, I know there's been a lot of talk of a French raid on Ireland, but I didn't know It was to be so soon." "Oh, It's near enough 1 It's all been arranged," replied Boyne. "There'll be ships warships, commanded by Hoche. They'll have orders to land on the coast, to Join the Irish patriots, to take control of the operations, and then to march on " Ho was going to say "march on Dublin," but he stopped. He was playing n daring game. If he had not been sure of his man, ho would not have been so frank and fearless. He did not, however, mislead Dyck greatly. Dyck had been drinking a good deal, bu'. this knowledge of a French Invasion, and a sense of whnt Boyne was trying to do, steadied his shaken emotions; held him firmly In the grip of practical common sense. He laughed, hiccoughed a little, as though he was very drunk, and said: "Of course the French would like to come to Ireland; they'd like to nelze It and hold it. Why, of course they would I Of course ; but what astounds me Is that a man of your standing should believe the French re coming here now 'to Ireland. No, no, Boyne; I'm not taking your word for any of these things. You're a gos sip; you're a d d, pertinacious, pre posterous gossip, and I'll say It as often as you like." "So it's proof you want, Is it? Well, then, here It Is." Boyne drew from his pocket a small leather-bound case and took from It a letter, which he laid on tho table in front of Dyck. Dyck looked at the document, then .ertld: , -"-Ah, that's what you are, eh? a Dyck Looked at the Document. captain In the French artillery! Well, that'd be a surprlso In Ireland If It were told." ' "It Isn't going to be told unless you tell It, Calhoun, and you're too much of a sportsman for that Besides, why shouldn't you have one of these If you want It If you want. It? Listen to me, Calhoun," reaching out a hand to lay it on Dyck's arm. Dyck sa w the motion, however, nnd carefully drew back In his chair. "I'm not an adventurer," he said; "hut If I were, what wiyild there be In it for roe?" Boyne misunderstood the look on Dyck's face. He did not grasp tho meaning behind the words, and he enld to him: "Oh, a good salary as good ns that of a general, with u commission nnd the spollH of war! That's the thing Id the French army that connlB for so much spoils of war. When they're out on a country like this, they let their officers loose their officers and men. Did you ever hear tell of a French army being pinched for fod der, or going thir&ty for drink, or losing lt head or poverty or bull- DEFENSE By GILBERT PARKER Author of "The Seats of the "No, I never did." "Well, then, take the advice of an officer of the French army resident in Dublin," continued Boyne, laughing, "who has tho honor of being received as the friend of Mr. Dyck Calhoun of Playmorel Take your hnnd in tho game that's going on I For a man as young as you, with brains and "ambi tion, there's no height he mightn't reach In this country. Think of it, Ireland free from English control; Ireland, with all her dreams, living her own life, fearless, Independent, as it wns in days of yore. Why, what's to prevent you, Dyck Calhoun, from being president of the Irish re public? You have brains, looks, skill nnd a wonderful tongue. None but a young man could take on the Job, for It will require boldness, skill nnd the recklessness of perfect courage. Isn't It good enough for you?" "What's tho way to do it?" asked Dyck, still holding on to his old self grimly. "How Is It to bo done?" He spoke a little thickly, for, in spite of himself, tho wine was clogging his senses. It had been artistically drugged by Boyne. "Listen to me, Crtllioun," continued Boyiiei "I've known you now some time. We've dome In and gone out together. This day was Inevitable. You were bound to come to It one way or another. Man, you have a heart of Iron; you have the courage of Cacsur or Alexander ; you have the chance of doing what no Englishman could ever do Cromwell, or any oth er. Well, then, don't you see the fate ful moment ens come In Irish life and history? Strife everywhere I Alone, what can we do? Alone, If we try to shnke off tho yoke that binds us we shall be shattered, and our last end be worse than our first. But with French ships, French officers and sol diers, French guns and ammunition, with the trained men of the French army to take control here, what ameli oration of. our weakness, what con fidence and skill on our side I Can you doubt what the end will be? An swer me, man; don't you see It all? Isn't It clear to you? Doesn't such a cause enlist you?" With a sudden burst of primitive anger, Dyck got to his feet, staggering a little, but grasping the fatal mean ing of the whole thing. He looked Errls Boyne In the eyes. His own were bloodshot and dlsslpnted, but there wns a look In them of which Boyne might well take heed. "I tell you this, Errls Boyne; there's none has ever tried me as you have done! What do you think I urn a thing of tho dirty street corner, some thing to bo swept up and cast Into the furnace of treason? Look, you! Af ter today you and I will never break bread or drink wine together. No by Heaven, no ! I don't know whether you've told me tho truth or not, but I think you have. There'sthls to say I shall go from this place to Dublin castle, and shall tell them there without mentioning your name what you've told about the French raid. Now, look you, by God, you're a traitor. You oughtn't to live, and If you'll send your second's to me I'll try and do with you as 1 did with Leonard Mal low. Only mark me, Errls Boync. I'll put my sword into your heart. You understand Inter your filthy heart 1" At that moment .the door" of the room opened, and n 'face looked in for an instant tho face of old SWIn ton, the landlord of the Harp and Crown. Suddenly Boyne's look changed, no burst Into n laugh, and brought--Jils fists down on the table between them with a bang. "By Joseph and by Mary, but you're a patriot, Calhoun I I wa3 trying Jo test you.' I wns searching to find the Innermost soul of you. The French fleet, my commission In tho French army, nnd my story about the landlord are all bosh. If I meant what I told you, do you think I'd have been so mad as to tell you so much, d n It? Have you no sense, man? I wanted to find out exactly how you stood faithful or unfaithful to tho crown and I've found out Sit down, sit down, Calhoun, dear lad. Take your hand off your sword. Remember, these nre terrible days. Everything I said about Ireland Is true. Whnt I said about France Is false. Sit down, man, nnd If you're going to Join the king's nrmy as I hope and trust you will then here's something to help you face the time between." He threw on the table a packet of notes. "They're good nnd healthy, and will buy you what you need. There's not much. There's only n hundred pounds, hut I 'give it to you with all my henrt, nnd you can pay It back when the king's money comes to you, or when you marry a rich woman." He said It all with a smile on his face. It was done so cleverly, with so much simulated sincerity, that Dyck, In his state of semi-drunken-uess, could not, at the lnstnnt, place him In his true light. Never In his life had Boyne per formed such prodigies of dissimula tion. He realised to the full the dan gers he had run lu disclosing the truth; for It wag the truth that he bad told. Mighty," "The Right of Way" So serious wns the situation, to his mind, that one thing seemed Inevita ble. Dyck must be kidnaped at once nnd carried out of Ireland. It would bo simple. A little more drugged wine, and he would bo asleep and powerless It had already tugged nt him. With the help of his confreres In the tavern, Dyck could bo carried out, put on a lugger and sent nwny to Franco. There wns nothing else to do. Boyne hnd snld truly that tho French fleet meant to come soon. Dyck must not be able to. give the thing away before it happened. Already the wine had played havoc with him ; already stupe faction was coming over his senses. With a good-natured, ribald laugh, Boyne poured out another glass of marsala and pushed It gently over to Dyck's fingers. "My gin to your marsala," he said, and he raised his own glass of gin, looking playfully over the top to Dyck. With a sudden loosening of nil tho fibres of his nature, Dyck rnlsed the glass of marsala to his lips and drained It off almost jtt a gulp. "You're a "prodigious liar, Boyne," he, said. "I didn't think any one could He so completely," "I'll tench you how, Ciilhoun, It's not hd. I'll teach you htWr' Ho passed a long cigar over thd itt ble to Dyck, who, however, did not light It, but held It In his fingers. Boyne struck n light and held It out acros"s the small table. Dyck leaned forwnrd, but, ns he did so, the wine took possession of his senses. His hend fell forward In sleep, nnd the cigar dropped from his fingers. "Ah, well ah, well, wo must do some business now!" remnrked Boyne. He leaned over Dyck for a moment. "Yes, sound asleep," he said, nnd laughed scornfully to himself. "Well, Noreen Drew the Knlfo Out With a Little Gurgling Cry. when It's dark wo must get him away. He'll sleep for four or five hours and by that time he'll be out on the way to France, and the rest Is easy," He was about to go out to the door that led Into the' business tfnr't of tho house, when the door leading into the street opened' softly, and a woman stepped' Inside. Slid had' used' the key tfnlch Boyne had' f0rg6tton nt his house. At first' lie did' riot hear her. Theft, when he did' turn' round, It was fob late. Tho knife slid carried under'' nor skirt flnshed oat and lntd B&yne'a heart. He collapsed dn tllb'jflOo'r- with out n sound, save only ri doc'p' sigh. Stooping over, Noreeri dre'y the knife out with a little gurgling cry a smothered exclamation. Then she opened the door again the side-door leading Into tho street closed It soft ly, and was gone.' Three hours afterward the landlord opened the door.' Errls Boyne lay In his silence, stark and still. At the table, with his head sunk In his nrms, sat Dyck Calhoun, snoring stentorious Iy, his drawn sword by his side. With a cry the old man knelt on the floor beside the body of Errls Boyne. CHAPTER V. Dyck In Prison. When Dyck Calhoun waked, ho was In the hands of the king's constables, nrrcsted for the murder of Errls Boyne. Also, the Inndlord wns ready to swear concerning n quarrel he had seen when he opened tho door for n moment. Dyck, with sudden caution, only said that he would muke all clear at the trial. Driven through tho streets of Dublin In n Jountlng car between two of the king's police, ho was a marlf for abuse by tongue, but was hero and there cheered by partisans of the ultra-loyal group to which his father adhered. The effect of the drug was still up on him and his mind was confused, no remembered tho quarrel, Boyne's explanation und the subsequent drink In, hi) Iit could rvcall nothing fur 3HI k .VMWV.V.V.V.V.V.V1 V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.S- Coprrleht by Sir Gilbert barker ther. He could not bellovo he hnd killed Boyne; yet Boyne hud boon found with a wound in his heart, and his own naked sword lying beside him on the table. The trouble was that he could not absolutely swear ho had not committed the crime. The situation was not cased by his stay In Jail. On tho contrary, It began with n revelation terribly repugnant to him. He hnd not long been lodged In the cell when he received a visit from Michael Clones, who stretched out his hnnd In an agony of humilia tion. "Ah, you didn't do it you didn't do It, sir!" he cried. 'Tin sure you nev er killed him. It wasn't your way. He wns for doing you hnnn if he could. An evil man he was, ns all the world knows. But there's one thing that'll bo worse than anything else to you. You never knew It, nnd I never knew It till nn hour ngo. Did you know who Errls Boync wns? Well, I'll' tell you. He was the father of Sheila Llyn, He was divorced by Mrs. Llyn mnny yenrs ago, for having to do with other women. She took to her maiden name, nnd he married ngnln." "Good God I Good God!" Dyck Calhoun made a gesture of horror. "He's Sheila Llyn's father 1 Good God I" Suddenly n passion of remorse roused him out of his scml-stupefac-tioh, "Mfchflel, Michael I" he said, his voice hanfsc, broken. "Don't say such n thing! Arc you sure?" Michael nodded. "I'm sure. I got It from one that's known Errls Boyno and his first wife nnd girl one that was a servant to them both In past fi&ys. He's been down to Limerick to see Mrs. Llyn and the beautiful daughter. I met him an hour ngo and he told me. Ho told mo more. lie told me Mrs. Llyn spoke to him of your friendship with Errls Boync, nnd how she meant to tell you who nnd whnt ho wns. She said her daughter didn't oven know her father's name. She had been kept In lgnor nnce." Dyck seated himself on tho rough bed of the cell nnd stnrcd at Michael, his hnnds between his knees, his eyes perturbed. "Michael," he said at last, "If It's true what you've told me I don't ssp. wy way. Every step in front of me is blnck with Tller.tm To tell the whole truth Is to bring fresh ahamo upon Mrs. Llyn nnd her daughter, and not to tell the whole truth Is to take nwny tho only chance I have of get ting' out of this trouble. I see that I" "I don't know what you mean, sir, but I'll tell you this. None thnt knows you would believe you'd murder Errls JJoyno or any other man." Dyck wiped the sweat from his fore head. "I suppose y6ti speak the truth, Michapl, but It isn't people who've known mo that'll try me; and I can't toll all." "Why not, If It'll help you?" "I can't of (courso I can't. It would, be dlsernce eternal," " " '"" ""wTiyJ Teii me wiiy, slfi'" Dyck looked closely, firmly at the old servant nnd friend. Should he" tell the truth thnt Boyne had tried to Induce him to sell himself to the French, to Invoke his aid agnlnst the English government, to share in treason? If ho could have told It to anybody, he would have dono so to Michael; but If It was true that In his blindness he had killed Boync, he would not seek to escape by proving Boyne a traitor. Dyck had a foolish strain In him, after nil. Romance wns his deadly foe; It made him do n stupid, If chival rous, thing. Meanwhile, ho would warn tho government nt once about the projected French nnvnl rnld. "Michael," snid Dyck, rising, "see my father, but you're not to say I didn't kill Boyne, for, to tell the truth, I don't know. My head" ho put his hund to It with u gesture of despair "my head's a masH of contradictions. Do you know It seems a thousand years since I entered thnt tavern? I can't get myself level with all that's happened. That Errls Boyno nhonld bo the father of that sweet girl at Limerick nnd the husband of Mrs. Llyn shnkes me. Don't you see what It means? If I kilted 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 a young queen t" Inter rupted Michael. "God knows, there's none like her In Ireland, or In any other country nt nil f" Suddenly Dyck regained his com posure; nnd It wus the composure of one who had opened the door of hell and hnd tenllzcd that in tjmc per haps not fur off he also would dwell In tho Infernal place. , "Michael, I have no money, but I'm my father's heir. My father will not see mo starvo in prlnon, nor want for defense, though my attitude shall' be 'no dofenso.' So bring me decent food' and some clothes, and send to mo Here Will McCormlck, the lawyer, lie's- ns nble'a... Btih aa there Ib In D"ulillii. Listen,' Michael, you're not to speak of Mrs. Uya and Mlut-Uynaa related' to' Errls noyne. What will como of whnt you nnd I know nnd don't know, Heaven only has knowledge; but I'll see It through. I'vo spoiled ns good chnnccs as over n young man had that wants to make his way; but drink nnd cards, Michael, and tho flaro of this d d life nt the center It got hold of me. It muddled, drowned tho best that was III mo. It's tho witch's kitchen, Dublin Is. Ireland's the only place In tho world whero they make saints of criminals and pray to them; where they loso track of time nnd think they're In eternity; where emotion Is snturnlnc logic nnd denth Is tho touch stone of life. Mlchnel, I don't sco nny way to safety. Those fellows down at the tnvern were friends of Errls Boyne. They're ngnlnst me. They'll hang mo if they can I" "I don't believe they can do it, mas-" (cr. Dublin nnd Irclnnd think more of you than they did Of Errls Boync. There's nothing behind you except tho wlldness of youth nothing at nil." Dyck smiled. "You've n lot of faith lu me, Mlchnel but I'll tell you this: I never was so thirsty In my life. My mouth'. like a red-hot Iron. Send mo some "water. Give the warder sixpence, If you've got it, and send mo Some wa ter. Then go to Will McCormlck, and after that lo my father." Michael shook his head dolefully. "Mr. McCormlck's nlsy oh, ulsy enough," he said. "He'll lep up nt tho "i' Fioht- -Bcfore God, the Lastl" I'll Fight to Idea of dcfendln' you, but I'm not tnkln' pleasure In going to Miles Cal houn, for he's a hard man these days. Aw,. Mr. Dyck, he's bed a lot of trou ble. Tilings has been gcin wrong with 1'lnymore. Ton honor, i don't know whether nnny of It'll last ns long as Miles Calhoun lnsts. '.fhcfVlI bo llttlo loft for you, Mr. Dyck. That's what troubles me. I tell you It'd break my heart If that place should be -5ost to your father and you. I wns bvy-n on It. I'd give the best yenrs of tho Ufa that's left mo to make sure tho uUl house could stay In tho hnnds of tint Cnlhouns. I say to you thnt while I live nil I am Is yours, fair nnd. foul, good nnd bad." He touched his breast with his right hnnd. "In here Is the fioul of Ireland that leps up on (he heights for the things that mutter. There's n song but never mind nbout n song; this Is no place for songs. It's a prison-house, nnd you're a prisoner clinr""' "' ... -""" - "Not charged yet, not eiinrgedV' interrupted Dyck) "hilt suspected of nhd urrostdd for a crinld, I'll fight before God, I'll light to the Inst! Good by, Michael; bring me food nnd clothes, nnd send mo cold1 wnter at once." When the door closed softly behind Michael. Clones, Dyck sat down on the bed where nanny a criminal patriot had lain. He looked round the small room, bare, unfurnished, severe ter ribly severo; he looked at the blank walls and tho barred window, high up ; he looked at the floor It was discol ored nnd damp. Ho reached out and touched It with his hnnd. lie looked nt the solltnry chair, the basin and pail, and ho shuddered. "How nwful how nwfull" ho mur mured. "But If It was her father, nnd If I killed him" his head sunk low "if I killed her father I" "Water, sir." He looked up. It wns with a tin of wnter nnd a the gunrd dipper. CHAPTER VI. t Mother and Daughter. "1 don't believe he's guilty, mother." Tho girl's fine eyes shone with feel lng with protest, Indignation, nngulsh. Sheila Llyn wns n champion who would fight to tho last gasp for any cause she loved. "Let us go to Dublin, mother," she said with a determined air, nfter reading the clipping. "Why, my dear?" Tho woman's eyes, with their long lashca, looked searchlngly into her daughter's face. She felt, ns the years went on, that Sheila had gifts granted to few.' Sho realized that tho girl had resources which would make her a governing Influcnco in whatever sphero of( llfo sho should bo set. Qulotly, Sheila was taking control of their movoments, nnd indeed of hor own dnlly life. Tho girl had a doml nntlrfg skill which enme In part from herself, and also to u degree from her father; but her disposition was not her father's it wns her mother's, Shelln had been told 'by her mother 'tliat her father had passed nwnv abroad when ahe waa a llttl child. She had never seen her rafher's pic ture, and her mother had given her tho impression that their last days to getlier had not been happy, She had always felt that it was better not to Inquire too closely Into her father's life. Sho wns as bonny n lasa as iver the old world produced lithe, with a body llko that of n boy, strong and pleasant of face, with a hnuntlng beau ty In the eyes, a majesty of tho neck and chin, and n carriage which had nindo Michael Clones call her n queen. Sho saw Dyck only ns n happy, wild son of the hill-top. To her ho was a mnn of mettlo and worth, Irresponsi ble becauso he had been given no re sponsibility. Ho wns a country gentle mnn of Irclnnd, with nil tho Interest nnd peril of tho Ufo of a country gentleman. "Yes, wo ought to go to Dublin, mother. Wo could holp him, perhaps," Sheila Insisted. Tho mother shook her hend mourn fully. "My child, wo could do him no good nt all none whatever. Besides, I can't afford to visit Dublin now. It's an expensive Journey, and the repairs wo'vo been doing hero have run mo close. My doar, our best pluco Is here. Of ono thing I'm sure If Dyck Cal houn, killed Errls Boyne, Boync de served It. Of ono thing I'm certain beyond nil else It was no murder. Mr. Calhoun wasn't a man to murder any one. I don't believe" her volco became passionate "ho committed tho murder, and I don't hcllpve ho wlU 1)0 hnnged," ' tm .J ThB Siri looked nt her mother with unveiled surprise. "Oh, dearest, dear est l" sho said. "I bellovo you do euro for him. Is It becauso ho hns no mother, nnd you have no sou?" , "ft may be so, beloved." ; With lmpulso Sltclln swept her arms nrourtS her mother's neck and drew the fine head to her breast. At that moment they heard the clnt ter of hoofs, and presently they sar n horse and rider pass tho window. "It's a government messenger, moth er," Sholln said. As Sheila said, It wns a government messenger, bearing n packet to Mrs. Llyn a letter from her brother in Amerlcu, whom sho hnd not seen for many years. Tho brother, Bryan Llyn, hnd gono out there ns n young man beforo tho Itovolutlonnry wnr. He hnd prospered, tnklng sides ngnlnst England ln tho war, and became n man of importance In tho schemes of tho now republican government. Only occasionally had letters come from him to his sister, nnd for nenrly eleven yeurs sho had not hnd n single word from him. Shelln watched her mother reading, nnd saw that grent emotion possessed her, though tho girl could not know the cause. Presently, however, Mrs. Llyn, who hart rend tho letter from her brother, made a Joyful exclama tion. "Whnt is It, mother dear?" Sheila nsked eagerly. "Tell me I" Tho mother mndo n passionate ges ture of astonishment and' Joy; then she lenned bnck In, her chair and closed her eyes, with tho lottor which wns closely wrltton. fh old-fashioned punctlllousnessi In hor hands. "Oh, my dear, my dear!" she said. ''How strango It all Is I Your Undo Urynn Is Immensely rich. Ho hns no chiMrcn and no family; hi? henUll 19 fallltss," . She seemed nblo to got no further. "Well, what Is It, mother?" asked. Sheila again. For an Injlunt Mrs. Llyn hesitated; tlien she put e lottor n -;;'-hands. ""end Jf, my tWd, IiU SUld. "It'rt for you as much qi tot me Indeed, moro for you tlinn fcr me," Dyck is relented from prison after four years. (TO BE CONTINUED.) FRENCH USE ENGLISH WOHD Academy Which Keeps Language Cor. rect Decides to Admit "Gentle man" to the Dictionary. Tho French academy, which devotes long sittings to the task of kecplns tho French Inngungo absolutely cor rect, nnd which regards all foreign words Introduced Into the langmlgo with horror, has Just muds an excep tion In favor' of an English word, which Is henceforward to huve n plnco In tho official dictionary of France, says tho London Telegraph. This is tho word "gentleman," which Is very frequently used In modern writing and conversation rather than the tlmo honored gentilhomme, which ordinar ily means nobleman, but which, In tho new edition of tho dictionary, Is to bo described as meaning "n man who without being noblo by race, hns lofty sentiments, elegant manners, and does noblo acts." With regard to the word "gentleman," it Is to be described In tho dictionary as "nn English word somcHines employed In French In the metaphorical nnd moral scnau of tho word gentilhomme." This is undoubtedly not tho last tlmo tho I jnch nendomy will bo called upon to glvo nn official welcome to nn English word which hns becomo current In tho French language; for cxnmple, tho word "home" Is bocomlng a great favorllo, nnd (ho mlsuso of the words "smoking" nnd "dancing" for "smoking Jacket" nnd "dance hall" has become so usual thnt the English origin of the words Is quite forgotten. Remove Stains. Soften old stains with castor oil or lard nnd they will como out moro sa lly. The gasoline or henrJnu wlU more all trace 2 Um Mtrma. 3