The age-herald., 1901-03-31

that he had fallen in love with the young woman. Tho Engllshman. however blindly trusted his friend and the woman he loved But the senor had a different standard of honor; he betrayed Haskeils confidence and won the English girls heart. It was only short time before Haskell made the discovery, but he hoped that his flanoee would find her aheetion for the senor nothing stronger than an infatuation easily broken
 Coming one day suddenly upon the two exchanging professions Of love, Haskell, however, abandoned all hope His affec- ton, nevertheless, would not permit him to call the treacherous Spaniard to &C., count. He loved the girl, and preferred to leave England and bide his time rather than ruin her life by wrealiing vengeance on the don He set sail for America and made hls way to St. Louis, where he took service on a river boat and finally was placed In command of the vessel.
 Haskell had been here ten years or more when Calvert first met him. The two became close friends, but Captain Haskell maintained his secret.
 Shortly before the war, however, Cal vert was aboard his friends boat on it's way from New Orleans to St. Louis. The vessel left the wharf at the South ern city on one of the perfect days that come to the South in the early summer time. Calvert was standing In the grow ing twilight on the deck, when Haskell, who had been searching for him below, came to his side.
 Calvert he said, T want you to de- liver this letter to the gentleman in state room 12. Hand 1t to him at midnight
 Haskell spoke under great strain, 1t seemed, and 1t was only with difficulty ,tDdprCtaDd him His voice seemed hollow, but ring of cruel ty showed in the tones that sent lag gard question to the messengers lips.s
 Haskell, however, turned on his heei and went to the pilot house, leaving Cal vert with the letter and instructions
 At midnight the young gambler knocked at the door of stateroom F, and, ir answer, a soft, masculine voice oade him enter The occupant of the room was a tall. stately man, with swarthy complexion and dark hair and eyes,
 Challenged the Spaniard.
 Calvert handed him the envelope; the man smiled, tore it open, and, with a cynical expression playing about his lips, read the enclosure. Turning to the gam bier he said:
 "Tell your friend I have been expect ing this. He asks me to bring a com panion and come to his stateroom My companion is in the next apartment; l will call him and go with you at once"
 When the third man came the trio made it's way to the captains quarters. Captain Haskell, pale, but firm, rose from his chair and bowed to the two strangers. He motioned them to chairs about the center table, and remaining standing himself, related the incidents of his early life, the Spaniard's treachery and his own subsequent flight to America. where, he said. he sought to forget the past The captains words were heard in silence.
 Finally the senor with the same cold expression on his features, replied that he was ready to meet any demands Cap tain Haskell might see fit to make.
 q know a little of poisons," Captain assurance. thanks to my acquaintance with the senor," he added, with a bow in the Spaniards direction, "and I have made four pills, all alike, but one of which contains fatal poison. The other three are harmless.
 "I propose that when this vessel lands l at St. Louis, on the midnight following, We meet in a place where we will not be molested. Our seconds" again lowing toward the senor will draw for choice. | The one who wins will select a pill and swallow it. The other will do the same
 "The poison will not have any effect for thirty minutes; if, at the expiration of that time we are both alive our seconds