The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1900-12-06

"You must not use insulting words to
me-" he said.
Ronald smiled. "You would not be
so inartistic as TO deny that you lied,
WinkIe, but the fact that you tacitly
admit you IRE linr does not satisfy
me. 1 tell you we have got TO settle
this matter right here and now"
II don't know what you mcan," Win
kie found himself saying. ~ do not
want any trouble with you. I've said
that ,he---thc thing was an accident,
and"
"And have said that u was not an
accident, and that will fight you or
have the satisfaction of knowing you
are a coward. II you are coward !
would not soil my hands with you"
Wrinkle was very white now: his ci-
gar fell from his lips and he caught IL
against his breast. 81 am unarmctl.
aud" The looked Ronald over AGAIN.
"you are physically stronger than I
am"
Thercupon Ronald drew the two re-
yolvers 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 thought
out n plan that will be perfectly fair
to both OF MS. The plantation bell will
ring in u few moments: We can get
ready and at its first stroke we may
turn and fire till the rcyolvcrs are
empty or one of MS is down."
Wrinkle stared tixedly.
"Why, that would he deliberate mur-
der" he gasped, shrinking back n step
or two from the extended rcvolyers.
1T would not he any more murder
than death in any duel would he. Capt.
Wrinkle. II YOU do not fight shall
know that you are n coward, SIR"
Then an i,lea was born in the officers
almost bcnumbcd brain.
II cannot fight IA 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 10 tell me that you
may drive carriage over man in
public road and then resort to such u
petty subterfugr 10 get around the con.
sequences? Capt. Winklc. ] would
strike you in the face 10 I could keep
from feeling that ! was striking a
baby"
Wrinkle gave furtive glance towards
the house. lie looked slightly relieved
~ IL he thought by the tacit confession
Of cowardice he was going to escape a
duel. which he feared quite as much
as death itself.
"Nou may think what you please Of
me-" he said, but am not willing TO
fight duel with you-of course, con
sidrring all the circumstances"
81 see your plan, Wrinkle, "said Ron
aid. "You have insulted me in the pres
cncc OF others, and IL you avert trouble
with me, you leave the witnesses under
the impression that / yielded to the
indigni,y without n murmur. That, I
see, 1 must bear: but I assure you, in
your refusal to fight me, YOU have re-
lieved my mind, for no coward can in
suit me-
Wrinkle began to breathe more free
ly; he even allowed a dctian, smile to
play about his lips as he took u match
from his pocket and rclgh,ed his cigar.
"As you please" he said. with slight
suggestion of u snecr. IL cannot fight
you"
"But ! am no, through with you,'
Ronald burst out, flaming up again.
"You are an officer in the pay of my
country" He had taken penknif.
from his pocket when he restored the
revolvers To their places, and he now
deliberately grasped Wrinkles Goa, ard
cut off the top button.
"What are you doing?" gaspcd the
officer, pulling back.
Taking ilrmer grasp on the lapel,
Ronald jerkcd The captain back IN
where he had stood. "Stand s,ill." 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.
Now good morning, captain" was
the parting injunction, III you ever
dare 10 drive over me again, shall sim
ply straugl" YOU"
As IL afraid another word might fur.
ther cnragc 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. Ills passion
had already spent itself, and strange
rcvulsion of feeling came over him.
lie had drawn back his hand ia
throw The buttons and shouldcr-strars
into the high grass, when he heard u
clear, ringing voice behind him.
Don't throw them away" and Eve
lyE llasbrookc. her big white apron
filed with maiden-hair ferns and wild
flowers, emerged from behind u thick
hedge.
ITO BE Continued