The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-05-18


lazy, swinging stride, ruthlessly cut
ting at the nearest flowers with cane
which he poised on his shoulder like
sword or swung in front of him as II
fencing.
No sooner had Ronald seen the di-
rection he was taking than he vaulted
over the fence and made his way
through the dewy grass and weeds into
the wood which intervened between
him and the spring.
He came upon Wrinkle MS that worthy
stood on the fat stones round the
spring. The officer wore his eye
glasses, and had his cigar between his
liups. The grass mufIled Ronald's
steps, and as Wrinkle was look
ing towards the house as IL expect
Ing some one, he did not notice our
hero's presence till he stood beside him.
"Ah!" calculated Wrinkle, as he
turned, and then through his glasses he
eyed Ronald coldly from head TO foot.
"Ah!" he repeated, and then he took
puff at his cigar and blew the smoke
towards the house as he looked again
up the walk. One familiar with the
tricks of Wrinkles sallow face might
have found hint of uneasiness there
as Ronald caught his eye and held II
steadily for a second.
There is a matter that you and
must settle, sir" said our hero, calmly.
For a moment Wrinkle gazed almost
defiantly at the speaker, then his glance
wavered Just little.
"A matter that you and l must set
tle?" he echoed, with faint sneer,
'tand what is that, my good fellow"
"You deliberately drove your horses
against me last night in the road and
have come TO demand satisfaction"
The officer sent another glance up the
walk towards the house; II was as II he
were hoping some one would arrive to
prevent what seemed inevitable. He
did not like the expression of the face
before him; he dreaded the awful
threatening tranquility of It.
He removed his cigar from his lips
and held II in his fingers, thatquivered
nervously.
1T don't want to have trouble with
you." he said.
Then you should not have driven
over me-" answered Ronald, "for moth
Ing under high heaven can avert the
consequences of that cowardly act"
IL am not good driver, Mr.. Fen
shawl believe that is your name, sir.
Just as passed your brother my hand
slipped, and"
you are a deliberate liarl" Ronald
interrupted him.
| Wrinkle started, paled a little and
made a half threatening gesture with
his right hand, but as he gazed into
our hero's eyes his arm sank slowly
down to his side and he made a lame
pretense Of trying 10 restrain his an
ger.
"You must not use insulting words 10
me-" he said.
Ronald smiled. "You would not be
so in&rtistic as to deny that you lied
Wrinkle, but the fact that you tacitly
admit you are q liar does not satisfy
me. I tell you we have got 70 Settle
this matter right here and now"
II don't know what you mean" Win.
kle found himself saying. II do not
want any trouble with you. I've said
that the--the thing was an accident
eq9l
"And have said that It was not an
accident, and that will fight you OF
have the satisfaction of knowing you
are coward II you are a coward
would not soil my hands with you"
Wrinkle was very white now; his ci
gar fell from his lips and he caught /,
against his breast. ~ am unarmed
and" (he looked Ronald over again
you are physically stronger than
am"
Thereupon Ronald drew the two re-
volvers from his pockets and held them
out. 81 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 il
over in few minutes. / have though
out plan that will be perfectly fail
to both of us. The plantation bell will
ring in a few moments; we can ge
ready and at its first stroke we may
turn and fire till the revolvers ar,
empty or one Of US is down"
Wrinkle stared fxedly.
why, that would be deliberate muir
der" he gasped, shrinking back steI
or two from the extended revofvers.
1T would not be any more murdel
than death in any duel would be, Capt
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