The Wilmingtonian., 1885-10-10


her bodily into the saddle.
Much to Mays disgust, Elsie walked her
horse all the way to the village. She SEEM
ed absent and dreamy, too. Was she think
ing of the absent lover? Or was it the pres
sure of Win Graham's arm that still linger
ed around her waist.
Arriving at the village, the first person
the young ladies met was Mr.. Pearson, the
gentlemen to whom Elsie was engaged
Intending pleasant surprise, he had
come up without notifying her.
The surprise was genuine enough, but
whether it was pleasant or not might have
been perplexing for Elsie to say.
MIR. Pearson took rooms at the village
hotel, but his days were passed at the
farm.
The more Elsie Maxwell contrasted the
two men, the less satisfied she became at
the choice she had made.
To the eyes of Aunt Martha, it soon be-
came evident that great struggle was 60
ing on in her niece's breast-a struggle in
which none had right to interfere-which
she must fight out alone.
When the feeling of restraint that had
crept over the household at MIR Pearson's
coming was at its height, Elsie quietly an
nounced, one morning, that she bad writ
| ten for her father to come and take her home.
A quick CLEAN of JOY flashed from Pear
sons black eyes as the words met his ear,
"Quite right, darling" he whispered.
'sThis frightful place would kill you out
right in another month. Why delay the
marriage till the winter? Let it take place
now, and we can sail at once for Europe"
But Elsie drew away mpatiently.
81 have told you so often, Mr.. Pearson,
that did not wish to be married before the
time originally fixed My father"
'sHere comes the man who was inquiring
for Mr.. Pearson yesterday" interrupted
May. as a small, flashily dressed, evil-yisag
ed man entered the gate and approached the
house.
In an instant, Mr.. Parsons face was al
white as his snowy shlrt-front. Dsrting ou
of the house, he intercebted the man ant
motioned him back toward the road.
But tae intruder stood his ground.
''You've put me off long enough, " he said
in loud, angry tones. "And l won't wal
any longer. The money is fairly mine.
don't want anything for keeping shady a
bout the other affair; | only want what
won. If you haven't it, here are your ricl
friends all around you Get it from them
want it,"
'Come out on the road" said Pearson, a
soon as he could speak for rage and shame
"Tll go as far as the gate" was the an
swer ''but no farther. This thing must b
settled this morning, now, before I leav
this place I'm tired Of your fine promises
I now I'll take cash"
And, leaning his back against huge tire
Q that overhung the gateway, the man folde
Q his arms and waited for the other TO speal
Pearson glanced tow ards the house. n
t one was visible, All had hown-not to wi
: ness his further humiliation.
s Stung to madness by the thought Of whi
a must follow, Pearson threw open the gait
S and pointing to the road, shouted in voi'
S Of rage
l.. ..lte, And if ezsss again you come e<Mith
a mile of this place will blow your braiI
' OUT
:. Suiting the action to the word, he dlew
I revolver and aimed it at his tormentor
: head.
a ooh, two can play at that" was the co
d reply, as a second pistol cleaned in the pul
e morning light "Drop your arm, your
man, or mine may go off accidentally"
O ''Not till you promise never to approac
i me again on this subject" said PeaIso
d through his shut teeth.
o ''oh, then, you do mean busnessP A
right Here goes. You drew first.
If There was a click, and detonation, b
:, the gambler missed his aim.
Just in the act of firing, both his arr
OIL had been grasped from behind, and We
d now in wise.
< The rufiiau turned only to confront t
n stern gaze of win Graham, who, feari
some evil, had quietly stolen down from
5, house, and come up in the shadow of t
D, trees-just in time to prevent murder.
lg Against one, the prisoner might ha
from the fields at the sound of the pist
g, he dropped his hands, grufly:
IL 81 was only defending myself You st
that he drew first"
he "You must give an account of yours
er elsewhere" was the stern answer. "Ele
re Tom-tie his hands. Get out the wag,
he Matt. We will take him down to the
N lage at once"
The fellow was perfectly unconcerned,
in "Where's Pearson?" he asked, look
he around, with sardonic laugh. "IIe m
en- go, too-to appear against me. Ha, ha
ID, that's rich"
ar Will Graham looked around, too; but
Pearson was to be seen.
i a 81 saw him running down the road, = s.
May who, while the others where pale Q
ihe trembling, inside, had rushed out to
Ter what il all meant
at And ''running down the road" was
last ever seen Of Pearson in those parts
ing in New York, either. He disappeared-sc
,ed said to Cuba, some said out west. Nobt
ad knew, and nobody cared, when the ma
the true character became known.
red He had not only gambled away every |
lar that came into his hands but becC
nee SO sunk in debt to those who fed on
re- that nothing but his marriage with the gl
heiress, Miss Maxwell, would enable him
by pay off old scores and begin again.
its 1t was to collect one of these ''debts
lat honoT'' that would be murderer had foil