Oxford Democrat., 1910-09-27
By MARGARET BARR.

False Step.
& By MARGARET BARR. s
& Copyright. 1910. by American Press !
Association.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
No one could understand why 1t was
that Helen Aver. the wife of an ex-
celIent man and the mother of lovely
boy six years old. fell under the in
fIuence Of Schuyler Quigley. with moth
ing except swagger and cheek to rec.
ommend him. When Quigley first be-
gan to pay attention to Mrs. Aver her
husband did not appear to notice It.
was drifting away from him and he
dared not oppose her. fearing that by
his very opposition he might bring
about catastrophe. II he permitted
the matter to work itself out perhaps
the wife and mother would in time
tire of her new fancy and realize the
danger to herself. her husband and her
son.
But Quigley was so aggressive, so
persistent. that Helen never got away
from q certain dominating force there
was about him long enough to recover
herself. Finally Aver decided to take
action. Since they all belonged to the
same set he had frequent opportunity
to meet the man who was undermin-
ing his home. Their first meeting was
at the house of mutual friend. where
a number of men were accustomed to
play poker. Ayers object was to be-
gin a series Of attempts to force a
quarrel upon Quigley. concealing the
true cause The better 10 cover his
motive at the poker party be met
Quigley cordially. But during the
game he suddenly arose from the table.
declaring that he would not play with
u cheat. making 1t plain that Quig
ley was the man referred to.
Quigley. who was perfectly innocen;
Of the charge. retorted. High words
followed. and Aver struck him. Quig,
ley was prevented from returning the
blow by the others. who protested
against the men fighting under the
hosts roof about matter Of cheat
Ing at cards. thereby bringing "A scan
dal upon the house and the party.
This left Quigley not only under q
disgraccful charge. but as having re-
ceived n blow from Aver that he had
not returned. Under the regime OF
half a century or more ago. he would
have been obliged to challenge Aver
or be cut by his friends. Living In
the twentieth century, he was not
obliged to do anything. He let the
matter drop. He did not call at Ayers
house any more. but he met Mrs. Ayel
when she went out on the street anG
at the houses Of mutual friends. AL
he said TO her about his trouble with
her husband was that Aver had ac-
cused him Of cheating AT cards and
that every member Of the party pres.
ent had exouorated him Of the charge.
And so 1t was that Russell Aver by
trying to get rid Of the man who was
really his wife's worst enemy. aud at
the same time protect her good name.
only made himself appear 10 her u
very unjust and ignoble person. She
thought thN she was taking care OF
her reputation by never being with
Quigley. except when others were
present. But she found it difficult to
live with one man as his wife and
have a love affair-though devoid o;
crlmInalit;;' with another.
Aver followed uG his hrst a'tact
ON Quigley by telling nG!nper VI
Quigley's friends that he tAyerI haS'
struck him aud QuigIey had not h'd
the manliness to resent the blow.
The situation was not pleasing t.
any one of the three persons involved
Quigley represented to Mrs. Aver that
he was refraining from resenting her
husbands insults on her account and
begged her to vindicate him by secur'
Ing a divorce and marrying him. Sht
was distressed. feeling that this was
due Quigley. but dreading to take
step that would seperate her from her
husband aud her child.
One day Aver met Quigley ON the
street. Each was walking with
friend. AS they passed Aver said
loud enough for QuIgley and his com
panion to hear:
There goes a coward l am trying to
make fight"
This was too much for Quigley. who
turned and said. well. we'll have II
nut now."
every WE'LL" replied Aver. draw"
Taking a revolver from his pocket he
raised 1t. cooking 1t at the same time
But since Quigley was unarmed there
was no fight.
"You can't escape me with bloody
nose" said Aver. ITS life or death
between u.s.
And he walked Oh.
Quigley began to feel that he could
no longer brook these insults. Some OF
his friends were telling him tn t Aver
was determined In the matter and II
might better be settled sooner than
later. They advised him to challenge
Aver and have 1t over with. All sup
posed that the origin Of the matter
was at the card table. Indeed. few II
any knew that Ayar was trying to
forte his enemy to withdraw his In
fuence from Mrs. Aver. Quigley blus-
tered for awhile. but took no action.
But finally noticing a difference in the
cordiality with which his friends greet
ed him he gave in and sent Aver a
challenge.
Aver accepted. naming revolvers at