Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-05-04
E; = i, 4 [ w i, /. r; n
- - - - ~
~ - = :. - J. = ElS
lC59y.i.,!lt. 3s2. hy G. l.. lewis =

lo3H%"t "ts,It -, h% {. j.. Lewis.
Thee Were el%llt cf Us who left the
steamer at Naples, and two of the par
ty We're Colonel Dayton and his wife.
1t 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 it. 1t made no
difference that he was at least fifteen
years her senior, but she seemed alto
gether too melancholy for bride She
was a woman about twcnty-eight years
old and as handsome a one as YOU
would meet in Il week. $ travel. but i
was evident that she mad to force ey-
cry smile that appeared Oh her face
One night two days before we reached
Naples she would have thrown herself
overheard had not my berthmate been
at hand to step her, but he did not
speak Of the matter to any one but me-
When he had related the inc;acu1, he
added;
Its nothing to US who this couple
are, but Eve made up my mind that
it's case or elopcment. The colonel
is evidently an old bachelor, while she
is wife,
They were driven away in Il carriage
when the steamer reached the city,
and it WAS Hot for three or four days
that l found by accident where they
had gone, they We're occupying Il villa
in the suburbs and seeming to shun
publicity. met the colonel two or
three times il Ely walks, but he look
ed straight into !4g face and made nc
had passed and | was out on the noun
tain side one day when I saw the colo
mel approaching by path from the
right. AZ the same moment q second
man came up from the direction of
town, and a moment later the three of
us were standing together beside
large bowlder in an old vineyard. had
my eyes on both as they drew togeth-
er They paid not the least attention
to me, but bowed slightly to 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 to
pass on when the newcomer lifted his
hand in protes. and quietly said to the
other:
81 presume the lady is here in Naples
with you:''
''She is WAS the reply as the colo
mel carelessy tapped the bowlder with
his cane
"And you were rather expecting
me?"
ooh, we,l.'
The men looked away from each
other for a moment. The stranger
was a much younger man, and his
dress looks and demeanor were proofs
of a gentleman. 1t came to me that
he must be the husband of the eloping
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 as impressive as
a mask and his voice as even as if
speaking to a friend at the club He
looked away over the fields for half
minute and then turned and Queried:
"You will of course grant me salts
faction?''
"Certainly," replied the colonel, with
a slight bow.
"Here and now?''
"Well, | am not armed, but as early
as you PLEASE in the morning"
'"ThanNs-as soon after sunrise as
you can make it convenient. In the
mcantime"-
I'm the meantime | shall make all
necessary arrangements" finished the
colonel as lie 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. I
wish to avoid public gossip as much as
possible. l shall kill him here tomor-
row morning. Will you be present and
see that it is honorably done?"
"But the police began, when he
checked me with:
'Money will silence them and gloss
it 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
ther to dc With the affair, but before
going to bed | decided to follow it up,
and the SUN had not been up above tif-
teen minutes when | was at the bowl
der. Colonel Dayton was already there.
walking back and forth, and after Il
naughty bow he gave me no further
attention. The other came up ten min
utes later, and they bowed to each 9th
er Each had pistol case under his
arm, and as they stopped over them
stepped off ten PAGES. There was no
choice Of positions. Each loaded his
own weapon. and ! saw that both were
cold handled reyOlyprS They were not