Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-11-08

10 YOU.
One moment. sir The lady whose
hom You have swiudlcd must not be-
brought into this affair and IT Is ~
your interest. sir. that It's real eausc
should be- concealed Return to your
friends Presently | win arise ~ ieayr
the room. Place your font in such ln
sition that may "trip on II will rr.
taliate by drawing my glove across
your face. You can then send your
friend Ia me without the true rau~e
Of the difference between Us being
known"
Is you Ike. sir Meanwhile you
may keep the check II you kll me
you may return II 70 the lady who
wrote IT, II | xiii YOU
"You can take such action concern
ing II ns Won see fit. II You ehoose now
10 decline ii and will give M receipt
for the amount Of lis face this affair
need 20 no further
Tilford made no reply Ia this for
awhile. He was turning The matter
over IN his mind. There were reasons
why he should rccedc from the posi-
tlon IN which he stood. hut DE- did not
wish to give NJ the pluudcr. aud hc
might possibly retain il without dam
age 10 his reputation Trasers was not
known ms fighter while Tilford came
from the south. where dueliue was
quite common. aud he was IN expert
with both sword ana pistol
NO sir" he said NJ last "You have
insultcd me accused me and my honor
must bc indicated"
With that he turned and went baci,
TO his companions.
Nothing ~ the conversation had hccii
heard by them. and when Travcr>
arose and walked toward the desk To-
pay his reckoning no one was aware
that pantomimc was 10 he enacted
As he was walking leisurcly past the
table where his adversary sat the lat.
ter put ont his foot. and Travers STUN.
bled against It.
You did that on purpose. sir" he
said
As you please 10 consider II sin
Travcrs drew glove from pocket
and struck Tilford with ii lightly on
the cheek Then he passed IN the
same lcisurcly manner ont of the din
ing room.
When Tilford's second returned to
MIN with TraverS' reply to his chai
lenge the >outherner knit his brows
~ asserting 90 his cncmy's plan he
had given rravers the chance Of place
and weapons The conditions named
by the latter were pistols. in a dark
room. each party % be supplied with
mn unlimited number If weapons
This placed them on an equality. and
I Tilford LOST the advantage Of his skill
and reputation ~ a duelist
Tiford was an impostor and a swim
dler He had forged letters Of intro
duction and had played young Van
Zandt with marked cards Relieving
that hi. true character would soon.
come out. he desired. II possible. to get
the money on Mrs VAN Zandt's check
and disappear Eut IN playing gen
tlemanS game he had left the cheek
with Trnvcrs He sent word 10 his
adversary that he would apologize for
tripping him and take Mrs Van
Zandts check 10 her aud tear il 20
pieces IN her presence IL this would bee
agreeable 10 Mr. Tmycrs
Travers was unwilling 10 trust him
with the chce, 50 bong NJ II was good
at the bank. bni he took sufficient
time 20 - there and request That II
should nnl be paid If presented Then
he sent il Ia Tiliord. stating that bis
proposed terms We're accepted Bui be-
fore Tifurl had time 90 try tu got the
check cashrd rrayers went ii the
hank and WAS there "a conccahuemt
when Tilford hurried in and present
ed the check 1'raycrS confronted him
You scoumdrel," he said sign
receipt for the amount you claim from
young Van Zandi AMI give il to me
with this check or 20 to Jail"
Tilford threw MP the game aud
agreed 10 the conditions When the
receipt had been drawn ana signed
and the check returned he was per
mitted 10 leave the bank and the city
and was never seen IN New York
again.
The same evening Mr. Travers WAS
announced in the drawing room ~
Mrs Van Zandt
"lIavc you paid my sons indebted
ness z" she asked
Il have madam There Is the re-
ceipt"
He handed il 10 her She east her
eyes over it and was folding i when !
he handed her her check She Looked |
at IT, surprised. then at him for an cS-
PLANTATION.
''Therc was no legitimate debt he
said. ",luc from your son to thi, man |
Tiford who was an imppStor and /
swindlcr lie returned Your check and /
signed receipt for the amount he had /
claimed in preference 10 going 10 jail |
How did you prove him SUCH"
II gave him my opinion Of one who
would take money In such fashion I