The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1902-11-12
BETWEEN
GENTLEMEN

" were 0olontl Ddllou Nuu NE WIZ
Il was the talk aboard the steamer
that they were ON their bridal tour, but
there were certain reasons why some
Of us did not believe H. II made no
difference that he was OF least nficcn
years her senior. but she seemed alto
gether too melancholy for bride. She
was a woman about twenty-eight years
old and as handsome n one as you
would meet In weeks travel. but Il
was evident that She had TO force cv-
cry smile that appeared on her face
One night two days before we reached
Naples she would have thrown herself
overheard had not my berthmatc been
at hand 10 stop her. but he DID not
speak Of the matter 10 any one but me
when he had related the Incident. he
added:
"1ts nothing 10 us who this couple
are, but I've made up my mind that
It's a case OF clopement. The colonel
is evidently an old bachelor. while she
Is n wife"
They were driven away In a carriage
when the steamer reached the city.
aud Il was not for three or four days
that I found by accident where they
had gone They were occupying villa
in the suburbs and seeming 10 shun
publicity. l met the colonel two or
three times in my walks. but he look
ed straight into my face and made no
sign Of recognition. About ten days
had passed and was out on the noun
tain side one day when saw the colo
mel approaching by a path from the
right At the same moment n second
man came up from the direction OF
town. and a moment later the three OF
US were standing together beside a
large bowlder in an old vineyard. had
my eyes on both as they drew togeth-
or. They paid not the least attention
TO me. but bowed slightly 20 each 9TH
er, and each changed color for an In
slant as they looked into each others
eyes ! somehow felt that they knew
each other, and the position became
embarrassing for me. was about 20
pass on when the newcomer lifted his
hand In protest and quietly said 20 tho
other;
II presume the lady is here In Naples
with your
"She H." was the reply as the colo
mel carelessly tapped the bowlder with
his cane.
"And you were rather expecting
mer'
"oh, wellF'
The men looked away from each
other for a moment The stranger
was n much younger man. and his
dress. looks and demeanor were proofs
Of a gentleman. IL came TO me that
he must be the husband OF the clipping
woman and that he had followed In
pursuit. Only the flashing OF his eyes
told OF the volcano raging within his
breast His face was us impasslve as
q mask and his voice as even as n
speaking 10 a friend at the club. lie
looked away over the fields for half a
minute and then turned aud queried.
you viii Of course grant me salts
factionY"
Certainly" replied the colonel with
a slight bow.
Here and nowf'
"well, am not armed. but as carly
as you please In the morning"
'"rhanks-as soon after sunrise ne
you can make II convenient. In the
meantime
"ln tho meantime shall make all
necessary arrangement" finished the
colonel as he sauntered on.
The other looked after him for awhile
and then turned to me and queried.
Were you fellow passenger OF his
on the Sovereign
yes"
Then you probably understand.
wish 20 avoid public gossip as much as
possible. shall XIII him here tomor-
row morning. WIN you be present and
see that II is honorably doneT'
But the police began. when no
checked me with;
money will silence them and gloss
II over Kindly let me expect you.
Here is my card"
During the first half OF the evening
made up my mind TO have nothing fur
Their TO do with the affair. but before
going TO bed decided to follow II up,
and the sun had not been up above If
teen minutes when | was at the bowl
der. Colonel Dayton was already there.
walking back and forth, and after a
baughty bow he gave me no further
attention. The other came up ten min
utes later, and they bowed to each 9TH
err. Eacn had pistol case under his
arm, and as they stopped over them
stepped on ten PAGES. There was no
choice OF positions. Each loaded his
own weapon. and saw that both were
gold handled revolvers. They were not
two minutes getting ready. and then
my gentlemen nodded to each other
and sauntered down TO the rock mark
ing the tenth pace. l did not exactly
know what was required OF me until
both looked at me. Then ! stepped