The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-01-09

nad heard that he and Elliot had had
an alteration. l inferred. that he had
seen Elliot kiss me and me resent the
act. l begged that he would not CON
stttute himself my defender. He. re
piled that he had not done so, but ad-
mitted that he and Elliot had got into
quarrel from words that had passed
I between them relative to Elliots act.
j 1 then admitted that had encouraged
Elliot to kiss me.
"He looked very much surprised and
panied at this. l knew that his cor
tempt had passed from Elliot to me.
/ told him that since had exonerated
Elliot should expect him to apologize
to Elliot for anything he might have
said under a misunderstanding After
some thought he told me that any wo-
man In such case, to prevent trouble
between two of her men friends, would
assume the blame. There was no sin
/ in my doing so. The affair had gone
too far to be smoothed over. I argued
with him for some time, but could get
nothing out of him. Then I came
away"
"You must see Elliot. The one who
has given the challenge is the one to
offer the olive branch"
II have seen Elliot. The challenge
had come from Herbert, Elliot having
struck him. Elliot apologized to me
humbly for having kissed me. He ad-
mitted that the scene in the billiard
room had been concocted to keep my
name out of the quarrel He would
gladly on my account put stop to it,
but could not refuse a challenge with
out being disgraced."
5"And as the matter stands the two
men will meet tomorrow morning"
IT suppose so"
The case was a knotty one. The
only way l could see out of it was for
Marian to choose between the two men,
She might tell Herbert that she loved
Elliot, but doubted If this would pre-
vent meeting that had become pub
lie matter and with which she was not
known to be connected 1t would
probably save Elliot from injury, but
this would not be fair to Herbert.
1.-THE only hope see to prevent this
meeting, Marian" l said, putting my
arms about her, IFS to tell them both
that you love Elliot. That would, l
think, dispose of the matter. Herbert
would withdraw his challenge"
\
at this alternative, but she said moth
ing, though later she told me that Ell
hot had made her no proposal.
The day was now ended, and moth
ing had been accomplished. deter
mined to leave Marian free to act for
herself till the last minute; then If she
did not act would endeavor to force
her to do so. We remained In the
same room through the night without
disrobing After II o'clock fell asleep
on lounge. l was aroused at dawn
by Marian.
Come" she said
Without asking her where we were
to go l went with her. 1 knew. She
knew where the meeting would take
place, and we proceeded there Since
Elliot had not proposed to her l could
not see what she would do. We wait
ed an hour a short distance from the
field and finally saw one party come
on to 1t, then the other The seconds
were engaged at the preliminaries
when Marian advanced, 1 following
her.
What will stop this AFFAIR."" she
asked.
There was no reply from either.
Marian asked all to withdraw except
the principals.
II can think of only one way to
stop it," she said. 81 love one Of you
gentleman. VIII you both agree to
shake hands If name the one lover"
At this they were all attention. Then
Herbert nodded an assent, and Elliot
followed.
'The one who kissed me-" said
Marian and covered her face with her
hands
Elliot started for her, but 1 was too
quick for him and carried her away.
The duel did not take place. There
is sequel to this story, but it is a
long one. Elliot was a long while in
gaining Marian's consent to marry him.
That kiss kept him from another for
more than wear