The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1900-02-22
"Janice Meredith :"


Copyright, 1899, by Paul Leicester
Ford. BY permission of the publish
ers.
Without pausing to mourn over the
failure, Janice procured paper and
pen. and set about letter: but it
was long in the writing, for again and
again the pages were tornup. Fin ally,
in desperation. she let her quill run on.
regardless of form. grammar, erasures,
or the blurs caused by her own tears,
until three sheets had been filed with
incoherent prayers and promises. IF
only you can save him." one read,
nothing you ask of me. even to disc
beying him, even to running off with
you. will | refuse. | will be YOUR very
slave If ever proud girl humbled
herself, Janice did so in this appeal. |.
The reading of the missive was be-
gun the next day by an officer seated
in the public" of the City Tavern of
Philadelphia, but after very few
lines he rose and carried it to his own
room. and there completed it. Then
folding it up, he thrust it iuto his
pocket. once more descended the
stairs, and inquired of the tavern
keeper: ".'Twas reported that Gen
eral Lee came to town yesterday !:
dost know where he lodges?"
81 hear he was at the Indian King"
Thanks" responded the question:
er, and then asked zone thing more.
Hast a stout riding whip you can lend
me for few minutes?"
SAY, Colonel Brereton. Take any
that suits you from the rack"
The implement secured. the officer
set out down the street. with look
that BODIED i'll for somebody.
Five minutes later, with one hand
held behind his back. he stood in the
doorway of the public room of anoth-
er ordinary, arriving just in time to
hear man proclaim in stenorian
tones
Il tell ye, any other general in the
world than Gen. Howe would have beat
General Washington: any other gen.
eral in the world than General Wash
ington would have beat General
Howe"
Hush ~ said a man. Here is one
of his aides"
''Think ye | care" roared Lee.
'Colonel Brereton and all others of
his staff know too well the truth of
what | say and dare resent it. The
more that hear me the better"
Brereton strobe forward to within
three feet of Lee. "You owe your
immunity" he said, struggling to
speak quietly, ''to the very man you
are abusing, for not one of his family
but would have challenged you after
your insulting letters to him. had not
General Washington commanded us
to refrain. lest, if any of his staff
called you out it should seem like his
personal persecution. Your conduct
to him was outrage enough to make
me wish to kill you, but now you have
given me stronger reason, and thi.
time there is no high-minded man t.
save you from my Vengeance, you cur"
There was quick motion of Jack.
arm, a swishing sound, and the whil
was furiously lashed across the gen
erals face.
Lee, white with rage, save where ;
broad red welt stretched from ear tt
chin, staggered to his feet, pulling "a
his sword as he rose. but his three
companions united to restra in him.
Take your satisfaction like a gen
tleman, SIR insisted one, land moi
like tavern broiler.''
Il shall see Major Franks within the
hour" remarked Brereton, land have
no doubt he will represent me. But l.
you wish a meeting, you must ac
promptly, for shall not remain il
the city later than noon tomorrow.
1t was just after dawn the mex
morning that five horseman turne,
off from the Frankfort road into
meadow, and struck across it to g.;
piece of timber on the other side
One of them was left with the horses
and the remainder took their way t.
an open spot, where the trees ha'
been felled.r Here the four paired of
and the couples held a brief consulta
tiOn.
IL care not what the terms be,
Brereton ended, $50 long as you secur
the privilege of advancing, for one o
us goes not off the field unhurt.''
! The seconds held a conference, an
then separated. Each gave his prir
cipal pistol, and station ed him S
that they stood some twenty pace
apart
-"Gentlemen, with your weapon
pointed groundward, on the word, yO
will walk toward each 9th er, and FIR
when it pleases you" ordered MajO
Edwards. Are you ready Go ~
The duelists, with their pistol hand
dropped, walked steadily forward
one, two, three, four, five strides.
"'Tis murder, not satisfaction, the
seek :" calculated Franks, below hi
breath.
Another and yet another step eac
took, until there was not twenty fee
between the two: then Lee halte
and coolly raised his arm one NOR
step Brereton took as he did so, an