Oxford Democrat., 1914-08-25

venting the meeting OF. at least. o.
laying It. And II It can be delayed long
enough l may bring father to bis
senses"
'What are you going to dor
"Perhaps 1t 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 I 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 go
Ing to his own home. Estelle remain
ed where she was till later that abe
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 OF when horseman
rode up and began to read something
from a paper he held in his hand.
"Who are yo," asked Martindale.
"and what do 20 wantT
II am the sheriff Of this county, and
I want either security or the money
on your note Of hand past due for g..
600. The holder of the note Is not
willing that you should risk your life
without first satisfying his claim"
"Nonsenser' cried Martndale. look.
Ing at the sheriff as though he would
like to shoot him as well as bis daugh-
ters lover. "Yo' get out O. the way,
and don't yo' interfeah with a south
ern gentleman vindicating bis 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 I have
settled with this man who has insult
ed meT
No one present seemed inclined to
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 at.
fairY
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'
about to engage In mo'tal combat
subj?
what Is that to yo', suhY was the
reply.
I'm that case ] expect 20 befo' risk.
ing 20 life to satisfy claim l have
against yo' TO- three hundred and sew
enty-six dollahs and fo'ty-five cents"
"And yo'. too, Walker! exclaimed
the major reproachfully. HAS it come
to pass in the south that man cannot
protect his household without first set
Ting every trifling amount Of indebted
ness he has outstanding? Has mans
honah become Of less Importance than
filthy lucre3"
"Y0 have my sympathy, ma1ah. l
have no desire to prevent this meeting.
Give me security and l shall make no
opposition to its proceeding"
Martindale looked crushed. Glancing
from one to another 0f bis friends. he
cried despairingly:
"Will no one help me out Of this de-
grading positionY'
II will. father" The words were
spoken in woman's voice from behind
tree. and Estelle appeared leading a
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 20
fathers honah."
II will take up these notes on condi-
hon that you shake hands with Mr..
Swift and consent to my marriage with
him. BE Is about to buy the Venable
plantation. and 1 shall 60 there with
him, leaving you to take care Of your
Interests here as you always have
DONE"
Estelle put her arms around her ia.
theirs neck and did not release him till
he had given Swift his hand and con.
sented to the marriage.
It was she who bad informed his
creditors Of the risk be was about to
take