The Press., 1914-09-30

"Either you must resign me and leave here or we must find some ex- pedient to head father off,
 How can he be headed offY'
 First. you must not be placed In a cowardly position. He would kill me as well as you if ! should marry one who showed the white feather. You must accept his challenge"
 What"
 Be quiet. ! have a plan for pre- venting the meeting or. at least. de laying it. And if it can be delayed long enough l may bring father to his senses y e
 What are you going to do?', &>e
 "Perhaps it 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 proba bly, take measures to change the hour and place of meeting. and you would then be placed in position to light or be diSgraced." .u- ...=... . 41.,.e. Y
 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 a horseman. rode up and began to read something from a paper he held in his hand
 "Who are yO'." asked MartindaIe ''and what do yo' wantY'
 "I am the sheriff of this county. and l want either security or the money on your note of hand past due for $2.- OOO The holder of the note is not willing that you should risk your life without first satisfying his claim
 "NUnsense.." cried Murtindnle. look ing at the sheriff as though he would like to shoot him as well as his dangh ter's lover. ''Yo' get out c the way. and don't yo' interfeah with a southf, cru gentleman vindirAting his honah
 "YO' can't fight. nlajah. without sat isfying the claim"
 Gan any of yo' gentlemen" said Alartindale tO the seconds, relieve mt, of this unpleasant situation by taking up my note and holding it till have settled with this man who has insult rd meY''
 No one present seemed inclined to take the risk
 Martindult- stood looking upon those about him with wonder. That d mnn who Was about to defend his honor should be denied a favor like this was inCOIEprehpnSibIe to him :
 "DO you mean to tell me gentlemen. he said. that you deny me the means whereby l may proceed with this af fair?''
 His friends were spared the necessity l of replying. for at the moment there came the chatter of hOOfs and man rode on to the ground in great haste
 Major Martindale" he said. ''are 70 about to engage in motai combat SuhT' .. c
 What is that to yo'. snhY' was the reply
 "In that ease ] expect 70 befO' risk ing yO' life to satisfy a claim ! have against yO' fO three hundred and sev pnty six dOlIahs and fOty five cents"
 And yO too Walker"' exclaimed he major responsibility "HAs 1t come to pass in the south that u man cannot protect his household without first set tling every trifling amount of indebted ness he has outstanding? Has mans honah become of less pO'tance than Il filthy Iucre?'
 "YO' have my sympathy, majah. l. have no desire to prevent this meetingl Give me security and 1 shall make n1 opposition to it's proceeding"
 MartindaIe looked crushed Glancing from one 10 another of his friends. he Iried despairingly: ~~
 "Will no one help the out of this de grading pOSitiOn?'' :..
 "I will. father" The words were spoken in wOman's voice from behind Il tree. and ESteIIe appeared leading d horse on which she had been riding | All looked at her astOnished
 ''My dear little girl" said the father T knew you would be sensitive to yO' | fathers hOnAh.
 will take up these notes on condf t1On that you shake hands with Mir I Swift and consent to my marriage with | him. He Is about to buy the Venable plantation. and l shall go there with him. leaving you to take care of your interests here as you always have 1One.'
 EsteIle put her arms around her ia A. 1e had given Swift his hand and con 'ented to the marriage. a,
 1t was she who had informed his r& the risk he was about to ake.