The Springdale news., 1914-03-06
NEAR KILLING pOIai
But the Rare Diplomacy of 3 Girl Prevented a
 Duel.
By ELLIOTT WALKER.

renUnClaIOry curse, quite auQlDle to the white faced girl planted squarely with spread feet and barring arms in the cottage doorway.
 "Thereta he exclaimed, wrathfully. Have your own way. Now, will you let me out Mel Hanwood ?h
 Yes. on one condition
 Well, rap it on. shan't put up with any more nonsense. What is it?'' He took a step forward
 Only that you q kiss me and say you ain't mad
 Melyinas voice held a sob of relief, mingled with reproachful tender ness; very different tone from the shrill appeal of the previous minute.
 Augustus Sharley vented snort of impatient despair. He laughed grimly.
 Of course I'm mad he snarled; but his fierce eyes softened to a milder light, and he took another step You women beat the devil
 Certainly We do. That's what we're for. If 1t wasn't for us the old Nick There's one hot-headed, good-for- -noth- ing I want for myself. Come here, Gus
 Sharley struggled in vain to tear away from the clinging arms and caressing lips, trying to maintain his fast dissipating fury of purpose.
 Don't laugh, Mel he said, serious ly. We've sworn to shoot on sight. and Clews is looking for me It'll be a fair meeting. He won't drop me with out warning, nor l him. Too much has been said on both sides for any make up business. tell you when old friends fall out like this, it's worse than strangers Every little difference we've had for years. and kept down because We were friends has boiled up to the killing point and there's no Way out We know each other. Either man would rather de than take back his word What do you think were made Of, anyway
 Iron and butter. smiled the girl, still holding him. According to cir cumstanees But won't say another word dear It's your fuss and III back you just as you say Dave Glews girl is backing him. My hope has been that you two men might cool off 7
 We won t Not while our blood's circuIatin Now. I've Istened and let you have your way Mel. There my gun III go up through the woods to Snake Spring. sit there for half an hour. think t over and come back. That's what you asked. It's of no use, though. The more think the uglier l get.
 Melvina Hanwood released him sud denly.
 Go. then, she sad. turning her face
 His hand, long and sinewy like his frame, rested for second on the bright hair, then his leaving stride crunched out among the scraggy pines.
 It makes d little time. anyhow, sobbed the girl, and keeps 'em part. Dave is as set as Gus. l wouldn't go to him. even if l thought he d listen to sense Hes down at the cross roads, probably, knowing Gus will have 10 so by to reach home Do hear father snoring on the poreht How mad he'll be to miss q shooting, but l won't tell him No, sir Like as not he'd take his rifle, get full bore somebody, and hang, He is behaving now, and want one relation left
 Hotly the sun poured it's rays on the fragrant pine chips littering the yard. as Melyina stepped out with pan Of scraps for the chickens. h her per. plexity and woe she went meehanical- ly about her duties, hoping duly for cyclone to sweep clean the face or Turpentine City, and wait its 200 in habitants to that realm where the lo- cal product would be everlasting de- maud All but herself and Gus. They should be spared for life of happi- ness and peace She smiled sadly at the childish thought, gazing at cloud less blue over the silent trees. The outlook was not cyclonic.
 A shadow fell across the untidy plot Iustinetiyely, Melyina felt it's substance to be Dave Clews.
 Standing transfxed. her braiA regu- lating to a clear intensity Of wary thought, Melvina continued, with un- seeing eyes, to stare at the sky. a slight, motionless, absorbing figure in brown calico open-mouthed, apparent ly unconcerned
 Mornin Mel. What you see up thar" The gruff voice was amused and hearty
 The girl wheeled slowly with a merry, welcoming laugh.
 An angel she retorted, "a six-foot. stout-armed angel, in a slouch hat and high boots, with a lovely, droopin' mustache, and eyes of-er-no partic- ular color, comin to fetch ne pail of water from the big spring because our well-rope has gone 20 feet to the bottom And To, here he is. Wait a minute and I'll get the pail.
 Darting inside to the pantry. she caught up a big tin milk pail, and re. turned to find CleWs standing i'll tho