The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1910-09-29

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On Bunce's departure Colonel Mo-
reau. with his usual ar,fable manner
and native regard for the truth. ac-
ouainted Aaron ard Tom Randall with
the sudden alteration in his plans. add
!pc that for the present lie must defer
mis- meeting with the ladies.
"Foh this" he concluded, producing
his Derrincer, means an appointment
I cannot decline We dispense with
seconds. foh. already having had one
encounter. we are permitted to meet
alone. Gentlemen. l see yoh have
guessed the truth. The fact is am
going TO relieve yoh Of the annoyance
a certain plan might have occaSioned
yoh. l have just received word that
Cameo Kirby is awaiting me now at
the dueling oaks. We show our weap-
ons on sight. and this time l shall kill
him"
"No. by God, you don't. l claim
that rightr' cried Tom "0ur plan is
baG! l never liked it anyway. They
kept me from going cut, after him yes
terday. Now he's where 1 can get
him
This quarrel is between Kirby and
myself, suh." sharply interrupted Mo
reau. "The message was to me-"
II take it off your hands," exclaimed
Tom. laughing wildly. It's mine by
right. and l claim it Thank God, in
half an hour l can look my family in
the face without shame. and Adele
will at last take off her mourning"
81 repeat. suh." returned Moreau.
with quiet fnality, that this is my
affair. regard it as an execution. l
cannot and will not permit any inter
ference on yoh part. Merely tell the
ladies that was delayed and will fol-
low on horseback later. And kindly
take charge Of my portmanteau."
Sullenly realizing the others fxity
Of purpose. the boy turned to his sad
dlebags, from which he produced a
silver mounted pistol. White faced
and trembling with passion. he hand
ed 1t to the colonel. "At least" he
said. with an effort at dignity and self
composure. do me the favor Of using
this instead Of your own. Since MY
fathers death l have always carried
1t. 1t belonged to him and is the one
that scoundrel caused him to turn
upon himself"
Il respect the sentiment and yoh
wishes. suh." replied Moreau, hand
ing his own Weapon to Aaron. who
gingerly placed it In the colonel's
portmanteau.
won't you even take me as a wit
ness?" pleaded Tom. 'He won't see
me. for I'll hide in the underbrush."
Impossible. Mr.. Randall. ask yoh
word to continue yoh journey exactly
as yoh have planned. Never fear: Il
shall see yoh at the plantation this
evening. When yoh come in sight Of
yoh fields today look upon them in
peace, foh by that time there will be
no one to dispute them with yoh. Yoh
servant. gentlemen" And. bowling.
the gooG colonel blithely stepped forth
into the morning sunshine and headed
for the distant dueling oaks.
From the window Tom Randall i'm
patiently watched the others depar-
ture. and when at length the estima-
Die defender Of the family. serene
upon his coming interview with Kir-
BY, had turned a nearby corner The
boy sprang OF the window seat and
seized his hat.
"whare are you going% sharply d.
msnded Aaron, attempting to bar the
others way.
Don't meddle with me-" violently
warned Tom. IF ever man had the
right to another's life l have the right
to Cameo Kirby's. Colonel Moreau
may have taken 1t from me. but dc
you think I'm not going to see II
done?'
.Not in honor" said Aaron sternly.
Each was to 60 alone"
"What honor did Kirby show my IA
ther?" cried the boy. "Get everything
ready at the plantation and tell Adele
that Colonel Moreau and will follow
on horseback. If Moreau doesn't finish
Kirby / will. III get him somehow!
And, 1inging aside Aaron's OBTAINING
arm. -4e dashed from the house.