Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1913-01-24

Charleston Was Preparing to Bombard
Fort Sumter.
thing came up today that has upset
Us both a bit And 1t Is In regard to
that matter that l wish to ask you to
do me a favor-a great service. VIII
your"
pray command me. Mrs. Haverill."
answered Kerchival with his heart
humping in wild. wondering excite
ment
ut Is about the colonel's son. Frank.
You know the trouble he has got into
In New York. He has escaped arrest.
and | have just received word that he
Is here In Charleston. am the only
one he can turn to. His father is stern
and uncompromising in his humilia-
ton. want you to find Frank and
arrange for ME to meet him as soon as
possible. If you can do it with safety.
I shall give you a letter for him. l
should like you to take 1t at daylight
IL possible. 1t is sad errand. and l
know Of none but yourself whom 1 can
trust with it"
Lieutenant Kerchival West bowed
profoundly.
81 will get ready at once" he said
I can change my clothes In FIVE min
utes."
How he welcomed this spur 70 &C
ton! The ball had ended for him at
the last words Of Gertrude.
He kept his word within the FIVE
minutes specified and came back boot
ed and spurred to report to the colo
nel's wife. She was not where be had
left her, but be heard her low, earnest
voice at the other end Of the shad-
owed veranda.
"If my husband knew" Mrs. Haver-
Ills voice was saying. "he would kill
you, Edward Thornton, unless you
treacherousIy tooL 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 a whipped cur. But l 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 have asked"
"Do you mean by that that you will
not accept amendsT'
"For my husbands sake" the wo-
man pleaded.
"Ah, your anxiety on his account
madam, makes me feel that perhaps.
after all. my offense is indeed unpar-
donable. What an absurd blunder for
a gentleman to make. II hadn't sup
posed it was Lieutenant Kerchival
West who was my rivaP'-
what do you mean. sir?'
"But instead it is your husband who
stands between u.s."
How dare you. sir" cried the exas-
perated lady, now on the verge of hys-
terics. Let me tell you that what
ever l may wish to spare my husband
he fears nothing for himself. But
no; l entreat Of you do not let this
horrible affair go any further"
Kerchival West. having no choice
but to overhear. was Of the same mind
He now stepped forward decisively,
saying:
Pardon me. hope am not inter-
rupting. | believe. Mrs. Haverili, you
have an errand for me?"
"Yes" she exclaimed eagerly. Thank
you so much. will go 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 Il ID sconn-
drel. Do l make myself plain?"
You have made it plain all along
that you are looking for 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,