The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-11-22

to what they termed the defence q honor. No matter how promptly . man ressnsed an insult and knocked the aggressos down, he vas not to be taken into the fold of brave men until he had shown his willingness to burn dangerous powder. When any one reproached me for not fighting the doctor, l attempted to laugh it oH, but to my sorrow found that it was a serious matter.
 "He would have killed me,D 1 said one day 10 an acquaintance who sat in my office.
 Presumably" he replied.
 "Well, then, do you suppose want to be killed P
 @Of course not, but what is life unless it be honorable ?"
 Do you mean that since l have re- fused to fight duel with that desperate man my life is no longer honorabler
 The fact that people do think you have acted dishono1ably, you cannot deny"
 "l don't believe that Judge Blake thinks so.'
 But warrant you that Miss Jassa- mine does"
 My blood tingled; my face burned. Why should she pay any attention to the unfortunate affair 2" "I don't suppose she pays any more attention to it than she can help. Gray loves her, and regards you as rival"
 But, good Lord ]" exclaimed, "she cannot love him ?'
 @l don't know. Stranger surmises have proved to be true Miss Jassamine is rather a peculiar girl. You cannot tell by her actions. Oncs, l thought l could, confound it. 1 thought she loved me. When asked her, though, she told me con6de,tially that she did sot.n
 As rode home, tried to recall Jassa- mines looks and expressions since the doctor had challenged me, but compar- ing them with her previous actions. 1! could detect no change. l could dis guise it from myself no longer. loved the girl. As l neared the house, l saw her walking along the path toward a large spring that flowed from the foot of the hill. tied my horse and joined her. l shall never forget the golden light of that evening, falling on her hair. made numerous experiments in trying to work myself to point where could suddenly break of and Aake a declaration of my love, but my tongue was not eloquent. My mind was a fire, but its fues were choked. Finally, with desperate effort, l said:
 Miss Jassamine, love you !''
 She stopped, looked at me calmly and replied: You have made a mistake, haven't you3"
 "Oh. no, how could make a mistake How could any one make a mistake in loving youT'
 "l don't know, but do know that did make mistake in loving you. Keep away from me. No, you shall not take my hand. loved you once because thought you were brave and chivalrous. l suppose if Gray had insulted me you would have refused his challenger"
 would have killed him on the spot"
 ~Very likely. No, Mir. Brindon, 1t is useless to talk to me of love. cannot marry a man who refuses a challenge.n
 "How can one so fair be 90 blood thirs,y?"
 "It is not bIood-thirstiness. It is love of chivalry."
 "is there no redemption ?"
 Possibly, bat sec none."
 Perhaps can yet show you that am not a coward"
 hope SO, but 1 see no means"
 can hope for nothing until then ?" Nothing"
 You are a curious girl. Good even- ing"
 CHAPTER W.
 Late one evening Jassamine and were strolling in the woods not far from her fathers house. had not spoken to her of love since the time of her refusal. Il knew that she would never alter her de- cision, for could read determination in every expression of her face.
 Let us return. We have walked far enough"
 No, let us go to the brow of the hill and look down on the river" l had scarcely finished the remark when four men sprang from behind an enormous log. Each one wore a mask. Jassamine tremblingly grasped my arm.