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

Another rocket" cried Madeline
West. hitting from somewhere in the
outer darkness. Does any one know
where Rob- mean where Lieutenant
Elingham is? He excused himself for
minute and he has been gone an hour
and Il half. He promised to be here
before
so did Lieutenant West" Mrs. Ha-
verill joined in with undisguised anx-
iety.
Boom. came a loud. sullen, reverber-
ating report from over the bay
Look" screamed Gertrude Filing
ham. jumping up in a frenzy of excite
ment. did you see that line of fire
against the sky. That was no rocket
that was a shell. 1t has struck the
fort.'
At the same instant there was loud
ciatter of horses hoofs outside and
Bob Ellingham dashed up the front
steps.
"Ruffin has fired the shot.' he cried.
throwing his cap into the air. "Hark.
there goes another one They have
opened fire on Sumter, sure enoughv'
Where is Mr.. West? Mr. Thorn
ton? The doctor:" demanded the
three women, all In breath.
They are-Anderson doesn't reply
That's what l rode back ahead to tell
you. It's all right. The second shot
hit Thornton. and Kerchival hasn't
scratch. He'll be along with the doc
tor directly. Ruffin swore he would
fire the first
'For heavens sake, Robert, what are
you talking abont?" pleaded Gertrude,
Selling him by the arm. do try and
compose yourself and tell us what has
happened. You say that
"Kerchival and Thornton have had 1t
| out, | tell you. Beauregard has 5000
| or 1000 men under arms, and it's
chance IL Anderson can muster a hun
dred. Well, as ! was saying. they met
In the gardens down at the bayou.
Sam Pinckney and myself loaded the
weapons. a pair of regulation navy
skies. Then we tossed up silver dol
lar for choice Of position at ten PAGES.
and Thornton won. But that made no
difference. for the sun wasn't up yet
Mercy. Was 1t duel?" Mrs. Ha-
veriIl interjected
1T certainly was, madam. Kerchival
scored at the second fire. His bullet
| plowed through Thornton's cheek.
branding him. but nothing dangerous.
The doctor is with him. and old Kerr
chival is all right and coming along
after me any minute. Well. that tri-
fling affair is over and we'll over
Something more important has started
l thought you'd all be anxious to know
that
Madam, I have to beg your pardon
for my Unexpectedly prolonged absence
and to report for orders
/ This last was the voice of Kerchival,
looking uneommonly pale and animat-
ed addressing himself to Mrs. Ha-
verili
She graspei his hand without slpak-
ing and drew him aside.
Il can only say God bless you. Lien
tenant West" she said, with quivering
lips. Some happier day l hope to
thank you adequately and so will the
colonel. He knows even less than do
at the present moment. But he knows
that Frank has taken refuge here. and
he will not see him or allow me to do
so. You will take these to the poor boy.
won't youths letter and this little
packet? 1t is a sacred confidence. and
ask it, as l know you receive it.
| freely
Kerchival bowed profoundly and was
off in a second.
Mrs. HaverilIs envoy to her stepson
Frank had cost her another poignant
scene with the colonel. Before the ball
had ended and the excitement of Sum
ter fairly began. husband and wife
had met in the seclusion of the lady's
apartment.
"My Desdemona." he had said in
more than half serious bantering. 81
picked up Cassio's handkerchief here
and | have returned it to its owner
That Is all very well. my girl. but
what is this ! hear about you having