The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-10-03
WITHOUT
RESPECT
But With Respect It Was a
Different Matter
Ru 2 A michel
By F. A. mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

9 Copyright by American Press Assoc
g citation, 1911.
x9@@@~@@@9@~@@~@~@
There is a house still standing In
South Carolina, one of those old fash
Toned but stately manors, that Is more
than $50 years old. The woodwork
above its cornices, its massive chin
neys, its futed pillars extending from
the porch to the roof. smack of aris-
tocratic persons who dwelt there when
the place was new, but who dwell
there no longer.
When the Revolution came on Charles
Ringold. then lord of the manor, re-
manned loyal to the king. but his chill
dren. all of whom We're grown, chose
the patriot side. His two sons were
with General Marion. the Swamp
Fox" His only daughter, Margaret
remained at home with her father.
though her heart was with her broth
ers in the continental service.
One evening during that troublous
period Margaret, looking out of 2 win
dow. saw man in scarlet coat i'd
ing toward the house. Going out on to
the porch. she stood there between two
Of the great white pillars waiting for
him. When he drew rein before her
and dotted his hat politely she saw
that he was what a woman would
naturally admire, gentleman. SOL
dier and handsome. He came Of the
same aristocratic English stock from
which she herself had sprung
May ASK he said. "are you loyal
subjects of the king here, or are you
rebels?'
MY father is for the king was the
reply
And your?
1T doesn't matter where my sympa-
thy lies. for ! am woman, but were
a man | would now be fighting for
the patriot cause"
May see your father7"
Certainly"
The officer dismounted The girl call
ed a negro servant to hold his horse.
then showed the man into the library,
where her father was reading. and
left the two together. Captain Ar
buckle. one of Colonel Tarleton's off,
GERS, had been sent out by his chief
to make inquiries among such Tories
as he could find in the neighborhood
as to where the Swamp Fox" was
lurking. He asked Mr. Ringold for
information. but the latter frankly
told him that though he was loyal to
the British cause he had two sons in
cused from replying to his questions.
But since darkness was coming on he
offered the captain entertainment for
the night.
Arbuckle accepted the Invitation. not
for the entertainment. but that he
might pass an evening In company
with Margaret whose stately figure.
comedy face and aristocratic bearing
had made profound impression upon
him. Women to young English bIoods
of that day were considered legitimate
game, and Arbuckle vowed within him
self that before he parted with the
girl for the night he would take at
least one kiss
He kept his resolution. though he no
more than kept it. for he got but one
kiss. He left crimson spot where
his lips touched Margaret's cheek
and fire in her eye. Rising, she swept
out of the room. leaving him discom-
fited. He had not expected such re-
buff from woman dwelling in this
| wild country. so far from old England
| He was in doubt whether to regret
his act or to make an excuse to re-
main, with a view to a further effort
But for the present there was moth
| ing to do but go to bed.
In the morning he breakfasted with
Mr. Ringold, and when the meal was
finished. feeling obliged to return to
duty. he ordered his horse. The negro
who brought it handed him a note
from Margaret, in which she told him
that champion demanded satisfaction
for the Insult he had offered her the
evening before Captain Arbuckle was
astonished. He had played the same
| game many a time at home, with no
serious consequences. to meet with a
| challenge TO mortal combat on a like
provocation in the wilds of America.
But for one thing the officer would
have offered a humble apology. That
was the champion \ spirit of rivalry
| took possession of him Who was this
man who was to stand In defense Of
the woman who had so impressed
him? Was he lover. bro her or a
friend! In any event. could he. an
Englishman-the proudest race on
earth-apologize for taking a liberty
with one born In a land recently ac
quired from sayages?
Tell your MISTRESS he said to the
negro. shat l will communicate with
her as soon as my duties as soldier
will permit"
On his return to camp Arbuckle
found that the command had got wind
of the Swamp Fox" and had gone in
chase Of him. Tarleton had left an or
der for the captain to remain in the
camp in command Of small guard
left there till the expedition returned.
This left him an opportunity to take
care of the matter he had in hand. He
wrote Margaret that since he had
learned that she had a champion the
Eight must come Off before any apology
could be made He was impatient to
throw himself at her feet to implore
her pardon; therefore he desired the
affair should be settled as soon as pos
sible. Besides. he was now free from
| any duty that would interfere with its
settlement Would she ask her cham
pion to name an early date, place.
weapons and other details?
A reply came that she felt a delicacy
in the identity Of the man who was to
stipulated that he should fight masked
The time would be that evening at sun
set, In clearing back of her father
house, the weapons to be cavalry
swords. There were to be no seconds.
Her slave. Jim. who bore her messages
would be present as witness.
To the masking Arbuckle declined to
assent unless assured that her cham
pion was not a blood relative. and
when thus assured he agreed to be on
hand at the appointed hour.
He found his enemy waiting for him.
The man was tall and slender. being
dressed In citizens costume Of the day
a broad tailed cutaway coat and
breeches. bun waistcoat white stock
ings, large shoe buckles and pow
dered peruke. His mask was of black
velvet. with lace at and below his
mouth.
Jim. the colored slave. stood near
| with saber under an arm and O
small box containing articles to stop
| tho dnu of hlnnd In the ofhar He