The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1902-10-24
which Mr.. Hill was q boarder.

which Mr.. Hill was q boarder. A
little boy-one of Hills pupils
came to the door, and, to the question
nut as to MIR. Hills whereabouts, re-
Piled with very round eyes that the
schoolmaster had just left the house
with no more explanation than that
he was going "up the road a piece"
The editor started. That was she
phrase Hill used to employ when he
was going to e a "gal'-and what
girl could there be but Miss Carry
May? His enemy must have passed
him in the dark.
The editor left the boy still star
ing, and retraced his steps hastily.
AS he came opposite Miss Carry-May's
house again, sure enough he heard
HIPS -unmistakable nervou cackle
within. Miss Carry-May's voice was
not audible.
The editor did not go in. Instead.
he went to- his room. In the morn
ing the schoolmaster received a note
which read:
''Sir: I have been waiting for you to
name q time n place for the encounter
you were so kind as to suggest to me the
other day. You have sent me no word.
May I venture to offer a suggestion in
my turn7 If it is agreeable to you, I
will meet you in Dead Mans Hollow at
your gun.
(Signed.) JOHN HARRIS"
The note was delivered to Mr.. Hill
in his schoolroom, and produced a,
curious effect. MI. Hill had been in
a villainously bad humor. Now he
twisted %ecstacically in his chair as
he read, his face spread into a won
derful grin.
Tell Mr.. Harris,'' said he to the
boy, 'sthat I'll be there"
All the rest Of the day he was
notably p%reoccupied and fidgety, and
several times the pupils heard him
chuckle to himself. About half past
four, having at that time dismissed
the last lingerer, Mr.. Hill, from the
window Of his schoolroom, saw Mr..
Harris walking by in a direction
which might reasonably-lead him to
Dead Mans Hollow, which, by the
way, "a a lonely spot in the pines,
and the reputed scene of q murder.
The editor was accompanied by the
same gentleman who had been his
companion at the time of the street
encounter. The two men walked
rapidly, and Harris face wore an ex-
preston of much grimness.
When the pair were well past the
house a.d out of sight around a
curve in the road, Mr.. Hill laughed
aloud all to himself, and followed.
slowly. just as he reached the
edge of the town he met a buggy.
In the buggy e Miss Carry-May
and a man with red hair. Miss
Carry-May bowed, and the buggy
drove on. Mr.. Hill turned to look
after it, and seemingly forgot to
turn again; for instead Of going to
Dead Mans Hollow, he walked.
straight home. The editor and his
friend waited for him at the appoint
ed place a full half-hour-then they
came back to town, and went with
out delay to Mr.. Hill's place of resi-
dence. There they learned that the
schoolmaster had just gone toward.
the station carrying a small hand
bag. They followed in haste, and
were in time to see the tail end of the
sonthbound train disappearing a mile
down the track. Then the editor
swore in his slow way, and the two
trudged back to town again.
A little later Nj. Harris rang Miss
Carry-May's doorbell. He was usher
ed into the parlor, and found the
young woman arrayed in her most
becoming frock and very busy m
pertaining a strange gentleman with
red hair. Miss Carry-May looked
startled, but introduced the stranger
as the Rev. Mr.. Jopling. Mr.. Jopling,
basking luxuriously in the lady's
smiles, kept up an incessant flow of.
small talk, and was evidently good.
for the evening. Clearly there was no
chance for Mr.. Harris tonight, and.
he took himself off in q state of
mind which beggars description.
At his room he found a note in .
strange, wild handwriting:
Dear Harris.
w are both Of US euchred. / amt
going to fight for no gal alive-especially
not one that is spoke for already. This
one is going to marry that red-headed
parson. She told me so last night.
U truly.
ct HILL"
That night the editor did not sleep.
Hill came back Monday morning
the Y had been set for Friday-en-
EIs--r-.E--.a-1 E &WAGETa