Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-11-27

uuie y euIb lie luTuuut oWlAJ MS uOuSt,
giving the report as a reason for doing
80. Swift denied the charge. Hot
words ensued, and before Swift realiz
ed what had happened he received a
challenge to mortal combat from the
man whose daughter he was engaged
to marry.
He was wondering what In the
world to do when Estelle's quadroon
maid appeared and handed him note
from her mistress. It appointed
meeting between him and her at the
house of mutual friend. At the time
named he went to the place deslgnat
ed and found Estelle waiting for him.
you have heard what has happen
ed2" he asked.
II have"
"Is there no possible way out Of itT'
Either you must resign me and
leave here or we must find some ex.
pedient to head father off,"
How can he DO headed offT'
First you must not be placed in
cowardly position. He would kill me
as well as you IL l should marry one
who showed the white feather. You
must accept his challenge"
"Whatp
BE quiet. have plan for pre-
venting the meeting or, at least. de
laying It. And IL It can be delayed long
enough | may bring father to his
senses"
what are you going to dor"
perhaps 1t is better that You should
not know, may have to change my
plan at the last moment. One thing
you may be assured of-there will be
no duel between you and my father.
But he must not know that am aware
Of his challenge. He would probably
take measures to change the hour and
place of meeting, and you would then
be placed In n position to fight or be
disgraced"
This ended the interview, Swift go
Ing to his own home. Estelle remain
ed where she was till later that she
might not be seen in his company.
The next morning the two principals
and their seconds met In an opening
in wood not far from the Martin
dale plantation. The ground was be-
ing measured Off when n horseman
rode up and began to read something
from paper he held In his hand.
"Who are yo'," asked Martlndale.
"and what do yo' wantT
81 am the sheriff OF this county, and
l want either security or the money
on your note Of hand past due for ST.
600. The holder of the note IL not
willing that you should risk your life
without first satisfying his claim"
"Nonsensew cried Martindale. look
ing at the sheriff as though he would
like to shoot him as well as his daugh
ter's lover. "Yo' get out o the way,
and don't yo' interfeah with south
ern gentleman vindicating his honah."
"Yo' can't fight, majah, without sat
isfying the claim"
"Can any OF yo' gentlemen" said
Martindale to the seconds, relieve me
Of this unpleasant situation by taking
up my note and holding 1t till have
settled with this man who has insult
Cd meT
No one present seemed inclined to
take the risk.
Martindale stood looking upon those
about him with wonder. Tint man
who was about to defend his honor
should be denied favor like this was
incomprehensible TO him.
do you mean to tell me, gentlemen"
he said, that you deny me the means
whereby may proceed with this af-
fair?"
His friends were spared the necessity
of replying, for at the moment there
came the clatter OF hoofs and n man
rode on to the ground In great haste.
"MaJor Martindale," he said, ARE yo'
about to engage in motal combat.
suhT
"What is that to yo', subj was the
reply.
'In that case l expect yo befo' risk
ing yo' life to satisfy n claim have
against yo' To- three hundred and sew
enty-six dollahs and fo'ty Ave cents"
And yo', too, WaIkerp' exclaimed
the maJor reproachfully. "IIns It come
to pass In the south that man cannot
protect his household without first set
Ting every trlhing amount Of indebted
ness he has outstanding? Has mans
honah become Of less importance than
filthy lucre2"
"Yo' have my sympathy, maJah.
have no desire to prevent this meeting
Give me security and shall make no
opposition to its proceeding"
Martindale looked crushed Glancing
from one TO another OF his friends. he
cried despairingly:
"Wlll no one help me out Of this de-
grading position?"
II will, father" The words were
spoken In n womnn's voice from behind
tree, and Estelle appeared leading n
horse on which she had been riding.
All looked at her astonished.
my dear little girl" said the father,
II knew you would be sensitive to yo'
fathers hOnab."
II will take up these notes on condl-
ton that you shake hands with Mr.
Swift and consent TO my marriage with
him. lie is about to buy the yenable
plantation, and shall go there with
him, leaving you TO take care OF your
interests here ms you always have
done"
Estelle put her arms around her ia.
TIERS neck and did not release him TIL
lie had given Swift his hand and con
scented 10 the marriage.
II was she who had Informed his
creditors Of the risk he was about TO
An 10