Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-15

SuAAOt uH III al 1Huh III your pOs
sition in-in life" he said. Surely you
know what is considered proper
Ronald's face grew purple with sup
pressed rage.
do you mean to tell me that you
may drive carriage overs man in a
public road and then resort to such
petty subterfuge to get around the con-
sequences? Capt. Wrinkle, I would
strike you in the face if could keep
from feeling that / was striking
baby
Wrinkle gave furtive glance towards
the house. He looked slightly relieved
as if he thoughtsb the tacit confession
of cowardice he was going TO escape
duel, which he feared quite as much
as death itself.
"You may think what you please of
me-" he said, butt am not willing to
fight duel with you-of course, con-
sidering all the circumstances"
II see your plan. Wrinkle, said Rom
aid. 'sYou have insulted me in the pres
ence of others, and if you avert trouble
with me- YOU leave the witnesses under
the impression that [ yielded to the
indignity without murmur. That, 1
see, must bear; but assure you, in
your refusal to fight me, you have re-
lieyed my mind, for no coward can in
suit me. 20
Wrinkle began to breathe more free
ly; he even allowed defiant smile to
play about his lips as he took a match
from his pocket and relighted his cigar.
"As you please he said, with /. slight
suggestion of sneer. IT cannot fight
you"
"But I am not through with you,"
Ronald burst out, flaming up again.
you are an officer in the pay of my
country" He had taken a penknife
from his pocket when he restored the
revolvers to their places, and he now
deliberately grasped Wrinkles coat and
cut off the top button.
What are you doing?" gasped the
officer, pulling back.
Taking q frmer grasp on the lapel,
Ronald jerked the captain back to
where he had stood. "Stand still" he
Numbered. you are unfit to wear the
uniform of any country. You'd make
a gallant soldier in time of need, would
MT your
Without another word Wrinkle stood
still and allowed Ronald to sever from
his coat his buttons and shoulder straps.
Nov good morning, captain" was
the parting injunction, eff you ever
dare to drive over me again, Ishall sim
ply strangle you"
AS if afraid anoti word might fur
ther enrage his antagonist. Wrinkle re-
treated towards the house, taking long,
swift strides.
Ronald stood for moment watching
the walk towards the house, then still
holding the buttons and shoulder
straps in his hands, he sank on rus
tic seat near the spring. His passion
had already spent itself, and q strange
revulsion of feeling came over him.
He had drawn back his hand to
throw the buttons and shoulder-straps
into the high grass, when he heard q
clear, ringing voice behind him.
Don't throw them away" and Eve
lyn Hasbrooke, her big white apron
filled with maiden-hair ferns and wild
flowers, emerged from behind thick
hedge.
Before her words had died out he
was on his feet, speechless with sur
prise.
II heard every word," she said, with
sigh, land at first / was almost
frightened to death. / was going to
interfere if he had-had accepted your
challenge, but when saw that he did
not intend to fight you I remained
silent. Il was an eavesdropper-I con-
fess that-but 1 simply had to listen.
1t was really terrible-your voice
your looks!"
He was overwhelmed with confu-
sion.
II feel as if could never be par
doned, Miss Hasbrooke," he managed
to say, after little pause. 81 am on
your grounds and Capt. Wrinkle is the
guest OF your house."
She shrugged her shoulders and sat
down on the seat he had just left.
Il am going to say what 1 really
would not say if it were not all set
tied between you, Mr.. Fanshaw," she
was putting the stems of her fern
leaves together in her left hand, land
that is that I do not blame you
much.''
"You do not really?"
For moment she gave him full
glance from her deep sympathetic
eyes.
II did rot sleep wink last night,
I Mr.. Fanshaw. / was so angry with him
that 1 could not close my eyes.
came near asking my father to send
him away. From a mans standpoint
presume you have done all that can
be DONE"
He sat down by her.
II never let my temper get the pest
of me, Miss Hasbrooke, without feel
ing dissatisfied with myself. 1 re-
Trained from striking him when I
found he would not fight, but what
finally did was just as. bad" He was
looking at the buttons and shoulder
straps in his hands.
+ EVELYN laughed softly,