Democratic messenger., 1904-06-18
D0uaN's
Interference
d, " " HINES
By " " HINES
Copyright. 1906. b. u ". Hines

Miss I.ctticc WAS cry .iIg. Ii was In
the mind al Donald trlway. II brave
hearted gentleman. aged fourteen. that
this lit of fears hal Ia do with the
visitor who lad just left her There
fore il was l.riiitin,: that this visitor
should return AMI nIlr prompt apol-
oSy IL Miss l.ritico Tor anything i'm
his words ar net: MS which might have
caused tears. II S,ci:cd Ia Donald
that il WAS 10th his peculiar duty and
much to hc valued privilege to bring
back this visitor and s,c that the apol-
ogy WAS mad. cvcn il IL should he
necessary la resort Ia force To accom-
pliSh the desired end
Ti,re would bc odds against him. he
reflected. as l.e IA, u1ht OF the stran-
gers broad shoulders ana athletic ap-
pcarance. but odds in battle We're not
10 ir considered hy an Grdway. nor
WAS il well that one Of the family
should contemplate the bare possibili
~ of defeat in any warlike undertak-
ing. OF course defeat WAS possible.
but one co;.ld and did put ii out Of his
mind in going into battle.
Therefore Donald set out hastily
along the ok archcd driveway which
led TO the big gate. II WAS his calcu-
laiion that Le would he allie 10 over
take the late visitor just outside the
boundary of the Ordway demesne. and
this checrcd him. for IL would not do
to attack u guest within your gates.
Once outside the gates the duties of
hospitality do not shield the offender.
This was In the code OF Donald's blue
grass country and was not 10 be ques-
toned by one who was raised upon
the lessons furnished 10y that code.
And just beyond the big gates he did
overtake the visitor. who WAS walking
along the roadside toward the station.
slashinS an.rily at weeds with his
cane. Donald had not figured on the
cane and wished that lie had thought
TO provide himself with weapon of
some sort. But there was no time to
hesitate. and he made haste to put him.
self alongside his adversary TO be.
Pardon me. sir" said Donald. "for
interrupting you" The whole pro-
cedure must be carried through with
perfect politeness. Rudeness. even to
an enemy. was never justifiable. Don
aid recollectel having heard his father
often say that.
The man with the cane came TO a
stop.
"Well. what is 1t. young MANI" he
said. somewhat brusquely This
brusqueness was very ungentlemanly.
thought Donald. but the man was
northerner. and this. in DOnald's eyes.
showed that he knew no better.
You are Mr. Douglass!" He had
seen the card on the tray In the hall.
Yes. What of liz" this brIsquely. as
before. Then. did Miss Mason send
you after me:" with trace of eager
ness in his voice.
Certainly not. sir" said Donald.
with dignity. II have come on my own
account. sir" 1t was not In the code
that one should drag the name Of wo-
man In the quarrels of men.
"Well. what do you want" The
brusqueness was again quite evident
1T will be necessary for you. sir. to
apologize to my cousin. Miss Lettice
Mason"
"ApolOgiZe to Miss Mason!"
"YOu have heard me correctly. sir"
Donald was greatly rejoiced at the
firm dignity of his own tones. He felt
that he was carrying through his part
I'm the affair In way which would
have won the sincere commendation Of
his father and even of his grandfather.
WHO had been the most famous duelist
of his day and state.
But. young man. l don't owe Miss
Mason any apology"
THAT. sir. is question which you
must permit me to decide. Miss Ma
son is. as I have said. my cousin. We
Ordways" was quiver of pride
I'm the way which Donald pronounced
the name-'are not accustomed to re-
ceive instructions from outsiders upon
matters OF etiquette"
What makes you think l owe Miss
Mason an Apology"
lis II not enough, sir for you to
know that l deem an apology neces-
sary:"
Now his prospective antagonist threw
back his head and laughed loud and
long. Donald waited patiently until
the fit OF laughter had passed-it was
merely another item TO be added to
Mr. Douglass count of rudeness.
There had been nothing I'm the Ordway
blood or the Ordway upbringing to
teach this fOurtecn-year-old descend
ant of the cavaliers that there was
anything ridiculous in his demanding.
without condcscending TO explain, an
apology from bearded man of thirty.
NO." said Mr.. Douglass. still half
choked with laughter 1T Is not
enough for me TO know that you con-
slider an apology necessary. must
catch my train and will bid you good
afternoon" With this he turned and
would have walked forward. but that
Donald laid a detaining hand on his