The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-10-03
NEAR KILLING POINT
But the Rare Diplomacy Of a
Girl Prevented a
Duel.
BY ELLIOTT WALKER.

10y E~E-t0fts wv - k-tN k-tNs
Sharley laid his revolver on the deal
table in Tanner Hanwoods kitchen,
struggling his wiry shoulders with a
renunciatory curse, quite audible to
the white faced girl planted suuarely
with spread feet and barring arms in
the cottage doorway.
"There!', he exclaimed, wrathfullg.
Have your own way. Now. will you
let me out, Mel Hanwood?s
Yes, on one condition
Well, rap it on. ! shan't put up
with any more nonsense. What is it,"
He took a step forward.
Only that you'd kiss me and say
you amt mad
Melvina,s voice held a sob of relief,
mingled with a reproachful tender
ness; a very different tone from the
shrill appeal Of the previous minute.
Augustus Sharley vented snort Of
impatient despair. He laughed grimly.
"Of course I'm mad" he snarled;
but his fierce eyes softened to q
Inilder light, and he took another
step. You women beat the devil"
Certainly we do That's what we're
for. If it wasn't for US the old Nick
would have every one of you men.
There's one hot-headed, good-for-noth-
ing want for myself. Come here.
Gus
Sharley struggled in vain to tear
away from the clinging arms and
caressing lips, trying to maintain his
fast dissipating fury of purpose.
Don't laugh, Mel he said. serious
~. We've sworn to shoot on sight,
and Clews is looking for me. It'll be a
fair meeting He won't drop me with
out warning, nor him. Too much
has been said on both sides for any
make up business. I tell you when
old friends fall out like this, it's worse
than strangers. Every little difference
we've had for years, and kept down
because we were friends has boiled up
to the killing point and there's no way
out. We know each other. Either
man would rather die than take back
his word What do you think we're
made Of, anyway"
Iron and butter" smiled the girl.
still holding him. According to cir
cumstances. But won't say another
word dear. It's your fuss and I'll
back you. just as you say Dave CleWs'
girl is backing him. My hope has,
been that you two men might cool
on
We won't. Not while our blood's
circulatin. Now, I've listened and let
you have your way, Mel There's my
gun. Ill go up through the woods to
Snake Spring. sit there for half an
hour, think 1t over and come back.
That's what you asked. It's Of no use.
though. The more think the uglier
/ GET
Melvina HAYWOOD released him sud
denly.
Go, them she said. turning her
face
His hand, long and sinewy like his
frame, rested for second on the
bright hair, then his leaving stride
crunched out among the scraggy
pines.
1t makes little time, anyhow"
sobbed the girl, "and keeps 'em part.
Dave is as set as Gus. I.wouldn't go
to him, even II thought he'd listen to
sense. He's down at the Cross roads,
probably, knowing Gus will have to
go by to reach home. Do hear father
snoring on the porch! How mad he'll
be to miss q shooting, but / won't tell
him. No, sir. Like as not he'd take
his rife, get full, bore somebody, and
hang. He is behaving now, and
want one relation left"
Holly the sun. poured its rays on the
fragrant pine chips littering the yard.
as Melyina stepped out with pan of
scraps for the chickens. In her per-
plexity and woe she went mechanical
ly about her duties, hoping DULY for a
cyclone to sweep clean the face of
Turpentine City, and watt its 200 in
habitants to that realm where the To-
cal product would be everlasting de-
mand. All but herself and Gus. They
should be spared for life Of happi-
ness and peace. She smiled sadly at
the childish thought, gazing at cloud
less blue over the silent trees. The
outlook was not cyclonic.
A shadow fell across the untidy
plot. Instinctively, Melvina felt its
substance to be Dave Clews.
Standing transfixed, her brain regu-
lating to a clear Intensity of wary
thought. Melvina continued, with UNI
seeing eyes. to stare at the sky,
slight, notionless, absorbing figure in
brown calico. open-mouthed, apparent
ly unconcerned.
''Mornin Mel. What you see up
thar?'' The gruff voice was amused
and hearty.
The girl wheeled slowly with a
merry. welcoming laugh.
AN angel" she retorted. "a six-foot,
stout-armed angel. in a SLOUGH hat and
high boots, with a lovely, droopin
mustache. and eyes of--er-no Dartic-