Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-09-16

IQdC-Woll, CQdL 0dQ not at once dis
abused her of it. Nature is very
strong, and I confess that the ascend
ant feeling in me was antagonism to
the fellow who was doubtless receiy-
ing a duplicate of the kiss given me-
At the same time I felt that occupied
an equivocal position. did not like
the idea Of meeting the girl again.
How would she regard me? Doubt
less as an impoStor. If | passed her
on the porch Or elsewhere about the
house or grounds she would cut me
with one cOntemptuOuS glance.
And now | must make confession,
a confession of coWardice. There is
something Of the coward about one
who has WrOnged another, and | felt
that I should cringe before this girl |
had permitted to think was her lover.
True, l did not kiss her. She kissed
me, and so quickly that l could not
prevent her doing so. But | acknowl-
edged to myself that I would not have
prevented her if I had had no end of
time
per, but ordered a meal served in my
room. Contemplate creature that l
was, I did not dare go out of it, in
tending to get away by an early train
the next morning.
About 9 o'clock there came a knock
at my door, and in walked the man |
had personated He resembled me,
but it seemed to me there was consid-
cradle difference in our appearance.
There was a thundercloud on his brow.
I'm in for it," said to myself; ''but,
thank heaven, it's not the girl 1 have
to face!'
For a few minutes 1 listened to a
tongue lashing such as | have never
heard before or since. At first bowed
before the storm, but presently my
anger began to rise. Not one word
did I speak during that tempestuous
interview, the hurricane blowing all
one way, till, like a thunderbolt, / fell
upon my visitor and sent him sprawl
ing on the door.
He rose with blood in his eye and
was coming for me when he suddenly
restrained himself. '"ThiS is no place
and no way to settle SO important
matter. You will hear from me pres
emily"
With that he went out, slamming the
door, and / heard him stamping down
the corridor It was II o'clock when
q young man who gave his name as
10 h. to wit ho1
lenge. l was expected to meet Mr..
Thomas Underwood the next morning
at sunrise at such place as | might
designate. Not seeing how 7 could re-
fuse, / consented to do so, provided
Mr. McCabe would act as my second
as we'll as that of my opponent. I
also wrote a note to be given the
young lady at such time as McCabe
thought proper, apologizing for not
having made her instantly aware of
her mistake. Having settled these
matters with my visitor, he departed.
I sent word to the office that l should
be called at an early hour in the morn
ing, then turned in, and, my mind hav
ing been relieved by my apology to the
lady and punching her lover, fell into
a comfortable slumber.
The next morning as l went out on to
the porch who should be waiting for
me but the young lady whose blunder
had made all the trouble. She advanc
ed toward me.
Where are you going?' she asked.
'"To leave by train" I replied, brave
ly lying.
mo, you're not You are going out
to fight Mr.. Underwood
did he tell you that?'
"NO, but | suspected it. | have lain
in wait for you to stop this nonsense.
l couldn't do anything with him. I'm
going to see if you have better sense"
| wondered for Il moment, then told
her l owed Mr.. Underwood satisfaction
for knocking him down and felt obliged
to give it to him.
Every WELL" she replied. ''I'll go
with you"
At that moment Mr. McCabe appear
ed. He seemed much surprised to see
Miss Lawrence and was not averse
with a view to stopping what he con-
sidered an unfortunate affair We
walked half a mile, then turned Off
the road and, passing into all open
space behind some trees, found my en-
envy waiting for me. Underwood, Oh
seeing Miss Lawrence, looked thun-
derstruck.
"Tom," she said, you are about to
act very unjustly on account of what
was not this gentleman's fault, but
mine. You are going to punish me
through him. | wish you to apologize
to him for having said anything to
him about matter which was mine,
not yours
cpl do no such thing" said Under
wood savagely. IF you prefer him to
me say so and have done with it."
Il certainly prefer the way he is act
ing to the stand you take"
Then you choose between us and
choose him.
81 certainly don't choose you unless