Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-06
The Daily Story
HER CHECK-BY F. A. mitchell.
Copyrighted. 1918. by Associated Literary Bureau.

wrote II. III l kill you
you can take such action concern
ing 1t as you see fit If you choose now
TO decline it and will give me receipt
for the amount OF its face this affair
need go no further"
Tilford made no reply 70 this for
awhile. He was turning the matter
over in his mind. There were reasons
why he should recede from the posi-
ton in which he stood. but he did not
wish to give up the plumber. and he
might possibly retain it without dam
age to his reputation. Travers was not
known as n fighter. while Tilford came
from the south. where dueling was
quite common and he was an expert
with both sword and pistol.
mo. sir" he said at last. "You have
insuIted me. accused me. and my honor
must be vindicated."
With that he turned and went back
TO his companions.
Nothing of the conversation had been
heard by them, and when Travers
arose and walked toward the desk 70
pay his reckoning no one was aware
that a pantomime was to be enacted.
AS he was walking leisurely past the
table where his adversary sat the lat
ter put out his foot, and Travers STUN
bled against it.
You did that on purpose, sir" no
said.
''As you please to consider II, sir"
Travers drew glove from a pocket
and struck Tilford with it lightly on
the cheek Then he passed In the
same leisurely manner out of the din
ing room.
When Tilfords second returned to
him with Travers' reply to his chal-
lenge. the southerner knit his brows.
Ry asserting to his enemy's plan he
had given Travers the chance of place
and weapons. The conditions named
ny the latter were pistols, in a dark
room, each party to be supplied with
an unlimited number of weapons.
This placed them on an equality. and
Tilford lost the advantage of his skill
and reputation as n duelist.
Tilford was an impostor and a swim
dler. He had forged letters of intro
duction and had played young Van
Zandt with marked cards. Believing
that his true character would soon
come out, he desired. if possible. to get
the money on Mrs. Van Zandt's check
and disappear. But In playing a gen
tleman's game he had left the check
with Travers. He sent word TO his
adversary that he would apologize for
tripping him and take Mrs. Van
Zandt's check to her and tear 1t to
pieces in her presence If this would DO
agreeable to Mr.. Travers.
Travers was unwilling to trust him
with the check so long as 1t was good
at the bank. but he took sufficient
time TO go there and request that it
should not be paid If presented. Then
he sent it to Tilford. stating that his
proposed terms were accepted. But be-
fore Tilford had time to try to get the
check cashed Travers went to the
bank and was there in concealment
when Tilford hurried in and present
ed the check. Travers confronted him.
you scoundrel" he said. Sign II
receipt for the amount you claim from
young Van Zandt and give 1t to me.
with this check, or go to Jail"
Tilford threw up the game and
agreed to the conditions. When the
receipt had been drawn and signed
and the check returned ne was per-
10 leuNe tnc anu the CITY
and was never seen in New York
again.
The same evening Mr.. Travers was
announced in the drawing room of
Mrs. Van Zandt.
Have you paid my sons indebted
ness?'' she asked.
1T have, madam. There is the re-
ceipt"
He handed it to her. She cast her
eyes over it and was folding IL when
he handed her her check. She looked
Mt IT, surprised, then at him for an ex-
PLANTATION.
There was no legitimate debt" be
said, "due from your son 20 this man
Tiiford. who was an impostor and n
swindler. He returned your check and
signed a receipt for the amount he had
in preference TO going to jail
How did you prove him such?"
81 gave him my opinion of one who
would take money in such fashion
from n minor He still pretended TO be
n gentleman and agreed to surrender
the check to you In person. Instead OF
doing so, he presented ii at the bank
! had taken the precaution 10 stop
payment on the check ana was at th9
bank TO receive the rascal when he
came 10 draw the money. ! gave him
his choice between exposure and its
and giving me, for you,
these two papers"
Mrs. Van Zandt's eyes were dimmed
With tears. She yearned to throw her
self into her lovers arms. but those
we're times of great formality.
Mr.. Travers." she said as soon as
The could control her voice, 1T seems,
'ir. that my sons interests are safer in
Tour hands than in mine"
With great composure he encirclei
Ter waist and took her hand: then he
rev her 20 him and kissed her
'Ah, madam, you have made me the
Isppiest Of meRr