Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-14
he Daily Story
Estelle Martindale's Plow-By Ruth Graham.
Copyrighted 1914. by Associated Literary

He was wondering what in fha
world to do when Estelle's auadroo,
maid appeared and handed him note
from her mistress 1t appointed
meeting between him and her at tho
house of n mutual friend. At the time
named he went TO the place deslgaat.
ed and found Estelle waiting for him
You have beard what has happen.
ed:'' he asked.
~ have
"Is there no possible way out OF IT,,
EITHER you must resign me and
leave here or we must find some or
pedient to head father off,"
How can he be headed OF"
First. you must not be placed In =
cowardIy position. He would kill ma
as well as you If 7 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 1t. And if it can be delayed Iopy
enough | may bring father 10 as
senses"
What are yon going to do?'
perhaps it is better that you should
not know. ! may have to change ms
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 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.
"and what do yo' want?"
Il am the sheriff of this county, and
] want either security or the money
on your note of hand past due for 81.
000 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 a 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 it till l have
settled with this man who has insult
ed me?'
No one present seemed inclined to
take the risk.
Martindale stood looking upon those
about him with wonder. That 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 l may proceed with this af-
fair?"
His friends were spared the necessity
al
came the CHATTER 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', subj" was the
reply
In that case I expect yo' befo' risk
ing yo life to satisfy claim l have
against yo' TO three hundred and sew
enty-six dolIahs and fo'ty-tive cents"
And yo'. too. WALKER exclaimed
the major reproachfully. Has II 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 mans
honah become of less Importance thar
filthy lucre?"
"Yo' have my sympathy. majah.
have no desire to prevent this meeting
Give me security and l shall make no
opposition to its proceeding"
Martindale looked crushed Glancinc
from one to another of his friends, De
cried despairingly:
"Will no one help me out Of this de-
grading position?
Il will. father" The words were
spoken in a woman's voice from behihu
a tree. and EStelle appeared leading
horse on which she had been riding
All looked at her astOniShed.
My dear little girl" said the father.
IL knew you would be sensitive toy
fathers honah"
Il will take up these notes on conan
tion that you shake hands win MI
Swift and consent TO my marriage Win
him. He is about 10 buy the Nenaoe
plantation. and 1 shall so there "Nu
him. leaving you to take care or your
interests here rs you always nave
done"
Estelle put her arms around her "a
Tiers neck and did not release MN in'
lie had given Swift his hand aud COZ
scented TO the marriage
IL was she who had informed m'
creditors of the risk be was aDoui
Ia Se.