Graham guardian., 1913-11-14

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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 plunder. and he
might possibly retain II without dam
age to his reputation. Travers was not
known as a fighter. while Tilford came
from the south, whers dueling was
quite common. and be was an expert
with both sword and pistol.
"No, SIR" he said at last. "You have
lnsulted 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 to
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 1t.
"You did that on purpose, sir" he
said.
AS you please to consider II. sir"
Travers drew a glove from n pocket
and struck Tilford with II lightly on
the cheek Then be passed In the
same leisurely manner out Of the din
Ing room.
When Tilford's second returned to
him with Travers' reply to his chal-
lenge. the southerner knit his brows.
by asserting to his enemy's plan he
bad given Travers the chance Of place
and weapons The conditions named
by 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 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. Relieving
that his true character would soon
come out, he desired. II possible, to get
the money on Mrs Van Zandt's check
and disappear But In playing 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 II to
pieces In her presence II this would be
agreeable to Mr.. Travers.
Travers was unwilling to trust him
with the check so long as II was good
at the bank. but he took sufficient
time to 60 there and request that It
should not be paid II 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 Trayers went to the
bank and was there In concealment
when Tilford hurried In and present
ed the check. Travers confronted him.
"You scoundrelr' he said. Sign a
receipt for the amount you claim from
young Van Zandt and give It to me.
with this check. or 60 to jail"
Tilford threw up the game and
agreed to the conditions. When the
receipt had been drawn and signed
and the check returned he was per-
mitted to leave the bank and 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
nessr she asked.
II have. madam. There is the re-
ceipt" ....
He handed It to her. She cast her
eyes over II and was folding II when
he handed her her check. She looked
at 1t, surprised, then at him for an ex.
PLANTATION.
There was no legitimate debt" he
said. "due from your son to this man
Tilford. who was an impostor and q
swindler. He returned your check and
signed receipt for the amount he had
claimed In preference TO going to Jail"
"How did you prove him such?"
II gave him my opinion Of one who
would take money In such fashion
from minor. He still pretended to be
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 to stop
payment on the check and was at the
bank to receive the rascal when he
came to draw the money. gave him
his choice between exposure and its
consequences 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
were times Of great formality.
"Mr Travers." she said as soon as
she could control her voice. ut seems,
sir, that my sons interests are safer in
your hands than In mine"
With great composure he encircled
her waist and took her hand: then he
drew her to him and kissed her.
"Ah, madam. you have made the the
happiest of menv'