Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1913-06-18

t10n! Inc pail 0aQ ended Tor nlm az
the last words OF Gertrude.
He kept his word within the i've
minutes specified and came back book-
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 the other end OF the shad-
owed veranda. :..=.z
III my husband knew" Mrs. Haver-
Ills voice was saying, ''he would kill
you, Edward Thornton, unless you
treacherously took advantage and shot
him down without remorse. You know
/ am innocent. never gave you any
hint of encouragement and the last l
remember you were crouching before
me like whipped cur. But have
kept the secret. and you must. Avoid
meeting Colonel Haverill before we
leave Charleston"
You have my apology" whispered
Thornton.
THAT is not what l have asked
''Do you mean by that that you will
not accept amends?'
For my husbands sake" the wo-
man pleaded. --5
"Ah, your anxiety on his account,
madam, makes me feel that perhaps,
after all, my ofrense is indeed unpar-
donable. What an absurd blunder for
a gentleman to make. Ii hadn't sup
posed it was Lieutenant Kerchivai
West who was my rival"-
what do you mean. sir?''
but instead it is your husband who
stands between u.s." .
How dare you, STRIP 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 60 any further"
Kerchival West. having no choice
but to overhear, was Of the same mind.
He now stepped forward decisively,
saying:
pardon me. I hope l am not inter-
rupting. believe, Mrs. Haverill, you
have an errand for meY'
Eyes" she exclaimed eagerly. '.Thank
you so much. I will 60 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 a id scoun-
drel. Do make myself plain?"
You have made it plain all alone
that you are looking for a quarrel
I've no objection. Still, prefer to
pick my own adversaries."
Colonel Haverill Is my commander"
said West. trembling with suppressed
excitement. HE is beloved by every
officer in the regiment"
'Well, what authority does that give
you
His honor Is our honor. His wife,
"Oho, that's 1t. eh? So you have a
drst class license to act as Mrs. Haver-
Ills champion. l have heard that her
favorite officer
Kerchival approached a step nearer.
"YOn dare to suggest
"lf l accept your challenge" sneered
the other, Il shall do 50 not because
you are her protector or the protector
Ut 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
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. as you
know" Kerchival said.
Long enough for my purpose. l
reckon. The bayou-up the Ashley a
mile or so-is convenient place. In
an hour from now it will be light
enough to sight our weapons"
"l'll be there in half an hour with a
friend" cried Kerchivai.
= - = .
Nobody in Charleston slept that
night Of April 11-12. At the Ellingham
house, as at Pinckney's. and at 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-
trte 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 alacrity. The women
huddled in whispering groups or
brought spyglasses and from outdoor
points OF vantage watched intently
across the dark waters to where the
Flagstaff of Sumter, like warning fin
ger, pointed solemnly to the stars in
the balmy dusk Of the southern spring
time sky.
The abrupt departure of Thornton
and Lieutenants West and Ellingham.
accompanied, as it appeared, by DR..
Ellingham and one or two of the young
men in uniform, had not failed to at
tract attention and excite comment.
Mrs. Haverill by discreet inquiry
among the household servants. obtained
startling hint or two which she hast.
ened to communicate in confidence to
Gertrude-none else.
There are tears In your eyes, Ger
trude," said Mrs. Haverill sympathetic.
ally.
They have no right there" returned
the girl: with a pitiful fash of the old
spirit that contrasted with the scared