Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-04-12

WITHOUT
RESPECT
But With Respect 1t Was q
Different Matter
By F. A. mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, lSil.
BY F. A. mitchell

South Carolina, one or those OLD taSn'
ioned but stately manors, that is more
than $50 years old. The woodwork
above Its cornices, Its massive Chin
neys. its auted 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
Rfngold. then lord of the manor. re-
manned loyal to the king. but his chill
dren. all of whom were 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 a win.
dow, saw a man in q scarlet coat rid
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 doffed his hat politely she saw
that he was what Il woman would
naturally admire. gentleman. a sol
der 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
rebeisT'
MY father Is for the king" was the
reply.
"And your
1T doesn't matter where my sympa-
thy lies. for | am q woman. but were
| a man would now be fighting for
the patriot cause."
May | see your father?"
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 be 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
Marion's corps and begged to be ex'
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 be
might pass an evening in compan!
with Margaret. whose stately figure.
comely face and aristocratic bearing
had made Il profound impression upon
him. Women TO young English bloodS
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 al
least one kiss
more than kept it. for he got but one
kiss. He left crimson spot where
his lips touched Margarets cheek
and fire in her eye. Rising. she swept
out of the room. leaving him discom
fitted. He had not expected such a re
buff from u woman dwelling In this
wild country. so far from old England
He was in doubt whether 10 regret
his act OF to make an excuse to re
main, with il view to further effort
But for the present there was moth
ing to do but go to bed.
In the morning he breakfasted witt
Mr. Ringold, and when the meal vas
finished. feeling obliged to return to
duty, he ordered his horse. The negro
who brought it handed him note
from Margaret. In which she told him
that champion demanded satisfaction
for the insult be hud offered her the
evening before. Captain Arbuckle was
astonished He had played the same
game many u time at home. with no
serious consequences. TO meet with
challenge to mortal combat on ike
provocation in the wilds of America.
But for one thing the officer would
have offered Il humble apology. That
was the champion. a 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 d lover. q b:o.her or
friend: IN any event. could he. an
Enplishman-th proudest race on
earth-upu!ogiZe for taking liberty
with one born in laud recently ac-
quired from sayages!
Tell your MISTRESS be said to the
negro. THAT will communicate with
her as soon as my duties as soldier
will permit"
On bis return to camp Arbuckle
found that the command had got wind
of the Swamp Fox" and had gone in
chuse of him. Tarleton had left an Or
der for the captain to remain In the
camp In command Of small guard
loft there till the expedition returned.
This left him an opportunity to take
core of the matter he had in hand. he
wrote Margaret that since he had
learned that she had champion the
tight 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 he settled as soon as pos
sibie. Besides be WAS now free froDi