Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-09-03

COulu uuu no VAIN BIOuuu Oh WHICH W
base an opposition. Meeting his friend
Marston again. he confessed the fact.
There was nothing for Marston TO do
as his intimate friend but help him
out. He covertly circulated report
that Swift was agent for northern
abolitionist society. ~-. e--'--
When this report came to Martin
dale's ears he forbade Swift his house.
giving the report as reason for doing
so. 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 ana handed him note
from her mistress. 1t appointed a
meeting between him and her at the
house Of a mutual friend. At the time
named he went to the place designat-
ed and found Estelle waiting for him.
"You have heard what has happen
ed?" he asked.
Il have"
SIS there no possible way out of it?'
Either you must resign me and
leave here or we must find some ex-
pedient to head father off,"
"How can he be headed offp
First. you must not be placed In a
cowardly position. He would kill me
as we'll as you if l should marry one
who showed the white feather. You
must accept his challenge"
WHAT
BE quiet. l 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"
What are you going to do?'
Perhaps it is better that you should
not know. I 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 a position to fight or be
disgraced."
This ended the interview, Swift 60
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 a 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 Martindale
land what do yo' want"
II am the sheriff of this county, and
I want either security or the money
on your note Of hand past due for ST.
600. The holder of the note is 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 indicating 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
ed me?"
take the risk.
Martindale stood looking upon those
about him with wonder. That a man
who was about to defend his honor
should be denied a favor like this was
incomprehensible 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
of replying, for at the moment there
came the clatter of hoofs and man
rode on to the ground in great haste.
Major Martindale," he said. ARE yo'
aDOhb " NhSeAEN NV Ndi NOnOdtt
suhT
what is that to yo', suh?' was the
reply.
I'm that case / expect yo' befo risk
ing yo' life to satisfy claim have
against yo' TO three hundred and sew
enty-six dollahs and fo'ty-fve cents"
And yo', too, Walkerw exclaimed
the major reproachfully. HAS 1t come
to pass in the south that man cannot
protect his household without first set
ting every trifiing amount of indebted
ness he has outstanding? Has a mans
honah become Of less importance than
filthy lucre?"
"Yo' have my sympathy, majah. l
have no desire to prevent this meeting.
Give me security and l shall make no
opposition TO its proceeding"
| Martindale looked crushed. CHANGING
from one to another of his friends, he
cried despairingly: