The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-01-04

FIRST class license 10 act as Mrs. Haver
Ills champion. ! have heard that her
favorite oiiicer"--
Kerchiyal approached a step nearer
you dare to suggest
IF accept your challenge" sneered
the other, II shall do so not because
you are her protector or the protector
or her husbands honor but as my RI
val. We stand on even ground"
Cur. you listen 10 me now'-and
Kerchivai emphasized bis words with
a slash OF his riding whip full In Thorn
toms face.
IL think you are entitled to my at.
tention. SIR" responded the other re-
covering himself quickly.
my time here Is short. az you
know" Kerchlvai said.
Long enough for my purpose. |
reckon. The bayou-up the Ashley a
mile or so-is a convenient place. In
an hour from now Il will be light
enough 70 sight our weapons"
I'll be there In half an honr with e
friend" cried Kerchival
Nobody IN Charleston slept that
night OF April 11-l2. AT the Ellingham
house. as az Pinckney's. and az many
another home OF luxury and pride there
were festive or other gatherings which
kept people up and about until long
past midnight
Then In the early hours OF that fate
ful Friday an exchange OF rocket sig
nails between Forts Johnson and Moul-
trie began. Every one knew what that
meant The men. some OF them with
out stopping TO change their evening
clothes. disappeared with strange. ST
lent, ominous aacrity The women
huddled M whispering groups or
brought spyglasses and from outdoor
points OF vantage watched intently
across the dark waters 10 where the
fiagstaff of Sumter. like a warning lin.
ger. pointed solemnly 10 the stars IN
the balmy dusk OF the southern spring
time sky.
The abrupt departure OF Thornton
and Lieutenants West and dillingham;
accompanied. as II appeared. by Or
Ellingham and one or two OF the young
men I'm uniform, had not failed 10 at
tract attention and excite comment
Mrs Haverill by discreet inquiry
among the household servants. obtained
a startling hint or two which she hast.
ened 10 communicate IN confidence To
Gertrude none else
There are tears I'm your eyes. Ger
trude," said Mrs. IIaverill sympathetic
ally
They have no right there" returned
the girl. with pitiful fash or the old
spirit that conirasted with the scared
look ON her unwontedly pale face
II am afraid know-not what has
happened 10 Lieutenant West in those
last few minutes. but forgive "A wo-
man who has had more experience than
you have. dear. and who Is fond OF you
what happened between you and him
when you were together for the last
time. maybe. in-who knows how long /?
Let fate part you. IL II must. but not Q
quarrel What is pride or coquetry AT
such mOmentT
Another rocket" cried Madeline
West. fitting from somewhere I'm the
outer darkness Does any one know
where Rob- mean where Lieutenant
Ellingham isf lie excused himself FOR
a minute aud he has been gone an hour
and hnlf lie promised 70 be here
before"
$50 did Lieutenant West" Mrs. Tia I
verill joined IN with undisgnised anx
iety
Boom. came a loud. sullen. reverbeT (
ating report from over the bay
Look screamed Gertrude Filing 4
ham. jumping up IN frenzy OF excite
ment. did you see that line OF lire
against the sky. That was no rocket 4
THAT was "a she'll II has struck the /
fortw
Al the sane instant there was a loud 1
ciatter of horses hoofs outside and \
Bob Ellngham dashed M the front I
steps.
"Rufln has fred the shotF he cried. I
throwing his cap into the air. "Harkl 4
there goes another one. They have
opened nre on sumter. sure enough
"where IL Mr.. Vest Mr. Thorn.
tong The doctor?" demanded the
three women. all In n breath
"They nre.--Andcrson doesn't reply
That's what | rode hack ahead 20 tell
you It's all right. J'he second shot
hit Thornton. and Kerchivai hasn't a
scratch He'll be along with the doc.
tor directly Ruflin swore he would
Gre the flrst"--
"For heavens sake. Robert. what are
you talking aboutT" pleaded Gertrude.
selling him by the arm. Dn try and