The Irish standard., 1900-05-05

"iou must not use insulting words to
me-" he said.
Ronald smiled. "You would not be
SO inartistic as to deny that you lied,
Wrinkle, but the fact that you tacitly
admit you are a liar does not satisfy
me. tell you we have got to settle
this matter right here and now"
II don't know what you mean," Win
kle found himself saying. 81 do not
want any trouble with you. I've said
that the-the thing was an accident,
and"
"And I have said that it was not an
accident, and that will fight you OF
have the satisfaction of knowing you
are coward. If you are coward 1
would not soil my hands with YOU"
Wrinkle was very white now; his CT
gar fell from his lips and he caught it
against his breast. Il am unarmed,
and" Che looked Ronald over again)
''you are physically stronger than I
am"
Thereupon Ronald drew the two re-
volvers from his pockets and held them
out. II thought that pistols would be
fair" he said. "You may take your
choice; they are practically the same.
This is quiet place; we can have it
over in few minutes. have thought
out n plan that will be perfectly fair
to both of us. The plantation bell will
ring in few moments; we can get
ready and at its first stroke we may
turn and fire till the revolvers are
empty or one of us is down."
Wrinkle stared fixedly.
"Why, that would be deliberate MUIR
der" he gasped, shrinking back step
or two from the extended revolvers.
ut would not be any more murder
than death in any duel would be, Capt.
Wrinkle. If you do not fight shall
know that you are coward, sir"
Then an idea was born in the officers
almost benumbed brain.
II cannot fight "a man in your pc-
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 a carriage over a man in q
public road and then resort to such a
petty subterfuge to getaround the con-
sequences? Capt. Wrinkle, would
strike you in the face if I could keep
from feeling that was striking a
baby"
Wrinkle gave furtive glance towards
the house. He looked slightly relieved
as if he thought by the tacit confession
of cowardice he was going to escape a
duel, which he feared quite as much
as death itself.
"You may think what you please of
me-" he said, "but I am not willing to
fight duel with you-of course, con-
sidering all the circumstances"
81 see your plan, Wrinkle, "said Rom
aid. you 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 a murmur. That,
sec, must bear; but assure you, in
your refusal to fight me, you have re-
icved my mind, for NO coward can in
suit me.''
Wrinkle began to breathe more free
ly; he even allowed defiant smile to
play about his. lips as he took match
from his pocket and relighted his cigar.
"As you please" he said, with slight
suggestion of sheer. II cannot fight
YOU"
"But l 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 frmer grasp Oh 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
gallant soldier in time of need, would
MT you?"
Without another word Wrinkle stood
still and allowed Ronald to sever from
his coat his buttons and shoulder straps.
snow good morning, captain was
the parting injunction, "if you ever
dare to drive over me again, / shall sim
ply strange YOU"
AS if afraid another word might fur
Their 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 a strange
revulsion of feeling came over him.
He had drawn back his hand tt
throw the buttons and shoulder-strap'
into the high grass, when he heard
clear, ringing voice behind him.
"Don't throw them away and Eve
Ign Hasbrooke, her big white apron
filled with maiden-hair ferns and wilt
flowers, emerged from behind a thicl
hedge.
ITO Be Continued