The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1913-02-08

minutes Speciueu ana came Ddck DoOt-
ed and spurred to report to the colo
nel's wife. She WAS not where he had
left her. but he heard her low. earnest
voice at TIE other end of the shad-
owed veranda.
If my husband knew" Mrs. Haver-
Ills voice was saying. he would kill
you, Edward Thornton, unless yor
treacherous!y took advantage and shot
him down without remorse. You know
| am innocent. never gave you any
hint of encouragement. ana the last
remember you were crouching before
me like IL whipped cur. But | have
kept the secret. ana you must Avoi'l
meeting Colonel Hayerill before We
leave Charleston"
"You have my apology" whispered
Thornton.
THAT il not what have asked"
''Do you mean by that that you will
not accept amends:"
For my husbands sake" the wo
man pleaded.
"Ah. your anxiety on his account.
madam. makes me feel that perhaps
after all. my oiTense is indeed uupar-
d0nable. What an absurd bluuder tor
a gentleman to make, Ii hadn't sup
posed it was Lieutenant Kerchival
West who was my rival
What do you mean. sir?'
But instead it is your husband who
stands between us
How dare you. sirr' cried the exas-
perated lady. now on the verge Of hys-
terics. Let me tell YOU that what
ever | may wish to spare my husband
he fears nothing for himself. But.
no; | entreat of you do not let this
horrible affair go any further
Kerchival West. having no choice
but to overhenr. was Of the same mind
He now stepped forward decisively.
| saying:
Pardon me. | hope | am not inter
rupting. believe. Mrs. Haverili, you
have an errand for me?"
Yes she exclaimed eagerly. THANK
you so much | will go and write the
note Immediately. Pray excuse me.
| Mr.. Thornton"
Without another word she FASTENED
away. The two men bowed and wait
ed in silence until she was out of sight
and hearing. Then Kerchival West
drew himself up and said quietly:
Thornton. you are IL ID scoun-
drel. Do make myself piain?"
You have made it plain all along
that yon are looking for n quarrel
I've no objection. Still. | prefer to
| pick my own adyersaries."
Colonel Haverill is my commander
said West, trembling with suppressed
excitement. 'He is beloved by every
officer In the regiment"
We'll what authority does that give
YOU
His honor is our honor. His Wife
isOhe, that's II, ell Z. So yen have a
first class License to act as Mrs Haser.
ills champion. | have heard that her
favorite oilicery-- -
Kerchival approached step nearer.
You dare to suggest
IF accept your challenge" sneered
the other. Il shall do so not because
you are her protector or the protector
of her husbands honor. but as my ri
val We stand on even ground
Cur. you listen to me now"-and
Kerchival emphasized his words with
Il slash of his riding whip full in Thorn
tons face.
Il think you are entitled to my at
| I'll oil 9TH
covering himself quickly.
| My time here is short, us you
know" kerchival said
Long enough for my purpose, |
| reckon. The bayou-up the Ashley Il
mile or so-is a convenient place. III
IN hour from now it will be light
enough to sight our weapons"
I'll be there in half an hour with d
friend" cried Kerchival.
Nobody in Charleston slept that
night of April HIP. At the dillingham;
house, as ut Pinckney's. and ut man.
another home Of luxury and pride there
were festive or other gatherings whicl
kept people up and about until Ion.
past midnight
Then in the early hours of that fate
fnl Friday an exchange Of rocket sig
nails between Forts johnson and Moul
tre began. Every one knew what tina
meant. The men. some Of them with
out stopping to change their evenins
clothes. disappeared with strange, 81
lent. ominous alacrity. The women
nuddled in whispering groups o
brought spyg,asSeS and from outdoo
points OF vantage watched INTENT,
across the dark waters to where tn
Flagstaff of Sumter. ike Il warning liz
ger, pointed solemnly to the stars il
the balmy dusk of the southern spring
time sky.
The abrupt departure of Thornto
and Iieutenants West and EllinghalI
, accompanied, as it appeared. by ID
, dillingham; and one or two Of the youlf
men in uniform, had not failed to al
tract attention and excite commeu
, Mrs. Haverill by discreet inquir
4. \