The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-08-24

4
was not time for blame of argument
A duel! She grasped the arm of tn,
chair for support. Then as the mel
walked away, she sank to the seat will
the final words ringing in her ears
my sword isn't rusty, and DANCED il
| don't prove it tomorrow"
Tomorrow" Then she had a few
hours in which to act. But it might DC
at sunrise. "They usually select the
rise or set of sun for such unholy
rites" she thought, with a SILVER OF
disdain. Her first impulse was to &c
to Winslow, but that she discarded; ne
would think her selfishly fearful lest
they lose protector; would believe
she was without zeal for his honor,
To him, then, she dared not appeal. To
his antagonist? Her own spirit rose
against the thought. The commander
Col. Mitchell, himself! To him she
must present the case, that he might
stop the dreadful hazard.
In the pause between dances she
went up to Lavender.
Save the last minuet for Mr.. Wins
low. daughter" she commanded.
But, mother, he did not ask me for
it in time; l am engaged to Lieut..
Crosby"
Never mind, break the promise, and
when Mr.. Winslow returns to the room
remind him of his dance with you"
Then, as the girl drew herself up in
naughty establishment, Il have an es-
pecial reason, dear, for wishing that he
remain in the ballroom through the
rest of the evening. Detain him If
you can
She ended with look of meaning
which puzzled Lavender, and made ner
nervous and preoccupied for the re-
mainder of the dance.
Mrs. Creighton at once sought cut
the commander, whom she found en-
Toying a quiet bottle with some chosen
friends. The latter were, however, not
a whit disturbed at his departure, since
he left the decanters behind.
Excusing himself, he Joined Mrs.
Creighton in the anteroom.
Pardon the interruption, COL
Mitchell; | want to consult you on an
important matter. l have just learned
that one of your officers-an aid, be-
Levels to fight duel tomorrow"
"A duel? The DEVIL" roared the COL
onel. Then, Il beg pardon, ma am but
what in-I mean what on earth are
they going to do that for? And wAo
are the fools that fght?"
1.-THE name of the officer l do not
know, but he is the one l see frequent
ly riding with you in the morning; he
seems favorite of yours" she added,
wisely.
"West, I'll be bound. Why, d-n the
rascal, he's the only man on the staff
who can mix a toddy. Egad, l can't
part with West. And who's the other
d fool? Err, beg pardon, who is to
be his opponent?"
my friend, Mr.. Winslow."
The colonel gave low whistle. "The
deuce you say! Is he good shot? Or
will they use swords?" he asked, car
ried away, in spite of discipline, by the
soldiers lust for fighting.
With a SILVER of disgust, Mrs.
Creighton replied, quickly:
with neither, hope. Irely upon you
for the honor of the garrison, no less
than for the sake of humanity, to stop
this miserable affair"
Yes, oh, yes-ot course; it must not
be permitted; it shall not proceed" he
declared pompously, warming to
sense of his own threatened dignity.
Mrs. Creighton told all she knew, add
ing: 81 heard no particulars, and am
only sure of the one fact, that Mr.. Wins
low was the challenger, and that the
soldier-Mr. West as you say, called
him a spy. There was. probably, too,
some allusion to Aaron Burr, which my
friend construed as an insult. CLEAN,
further, that this Mr.. West is suspicious
of our presence here at the fort. This
idea, groundless as it is, we must take
swift pains to remedy"
The last sentence, with its slight
touch of hauteur, failed to impress the
commander, who, fussing and Tuning,
gave few sharp orders to subordinates.
Then he turned to her:
81 am much Obliged to you, Mrs.
Creighton, for this information. The
ball is nearly over. have given orders
for the appearance in this room, at its
close, of the parties concerned. Do you
care to wait here and see the result?"
Mrs. Creighton kept her seat, await
ing developments.
The colonel excused himself, and for
a few moments she sat alone, watching
the door. 1t was suddenly opened-the
man whom she heard denouncing Wins
low entered, and after him his compan-
ion. The former, unaware of her pres
ence, gave vent to volley of conjectures
as to the cause of the summons.
Upon a discovery of the lady's pres
ence he flung himself down, muttering
low.
Shortly after, Winslow appeared in
the doorway, with Lavender on his arm.
Why, mother" the latter said, gayly,
'how solemn you look! And Lieut..
West? All, then, perhaps we are called
as witnesses in a court-martial?"
But, subdued by the tense, expectant
air of the others. she took seat in won