Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-02-02

But the challenge had no sooner pass
I'd than one who was present reported
that he was a skilled shot and fencer,
nad been 'out" a number of times and
aad usually killed his opponent. This
caused a 1utter among Ringold's
friends and was especially unpalatable
to Ringold himself.
The report was not long in reaching.
Virginia. She had heard of the alter,
cation and was quite taken aback at
What she considered solely the conse-
luence of her own action. When she
heard that T~hibadeaux was an expert
at arms she was terror stricken. The
prospect of being the cause of the
elimination of the man she was think
ing of accepting for a husbandAwas
dreadful. She sent for Ringold, took
back all she had said about admiring
bravery and asked him to withdraw
from the quarrel.
Ringold told her that she had moth
ing to do with it and he could not
withdraw without being considered a
poltroon and a coward. Nevertheless
TIC ShO"CQ ny lis dAih tAAI hC
would gladly withdraw, having no
stomach for being sacrificed by an ex-
pert. Virginia offered to ask Thiba-
deaux to accept an apology, but Rim
gold convinced her that his doing so
would put him in a worse position than
before.
Ringold endeavored to gain time,
l. \. 4IaA 49,, -. ak .N.irh&
be made to let him out of the affair.
He succeeded in having the meeting
put off for twenty-four hours after
it had been appointed. The evening
after the fracas occurred Major Brain
ard strolled into the tavern, sat down
at n table and called for a julep. Thi-
badeaux and a couple Of friends were
at another table.
pardon me, monsieur" said Brain
ard to Thibadeaux. You do not seem
to remember me-"
81 confess 1 do not" replied Thiba-
deaux.
LET me refresh your memory.
Twelve years ago l was on duty with
the army at New Orleans. At a ball
you purposely insulted me. l chal-
lenged you. We met in a wood near
the city where such affairs are settled.
You fired before the signal and left
me bleeding on the ground, Fastening
away, ~excusing yourself by saying that
you were anxious to avoid the police"
"When you say l fired before the
signal you liei'
ITO give a gentleman the lie calls
for satisfaction. This time I shall be
better prepared"
Tomorrow morning l have another
affair on hand, after which I will ac-
commodate you"
I'm that case you are the challenger.
l dare say your adversary can be in
duced to give me first place."
Thibadeaux could not very well OBJ
ject t o this, and a messenger was dis
patched to Ringold to ask him If he
would step aside for another. Ringold,
thinking that he might appear brave
without risking anything, demurred,
~whereupon Brainard called Upon him
and represented to him that, having
been challenged by Thibadeaux, Thi-
badeaux had a right to withdraw the
challenge until after another
ter. Ringold, who was really much
relieved at the prospect of not having
to fight. hoping that Thibadeaux
would be prevented from killing him
by being killed himself, gave what he
endeavored to make appear a reluctant
consent.
Brainard having thus paved the way
for himself, a meeting was arranged
between him and Thibadeaux. The
latter had not willingly acquiesced in
the new arrangement, for he had
hoped to put Ringold in an unpleasant
position without running any great
risk. He knew a coward, or thought
he did, and fancied that Ringold would
show the white feather at the last mo-
rnent. If not, Thibadeaux counted on
erecting a compromise without de-
tracing from his own reputation.
Ringold could not but suspect that
Brainard had some reason for his ac-
tion, and that reason was to step in
between him and death. Ringold sent
a note to Virginia Hardesty informing
her that in his affair with Thibadeaux
he had given place to another. If Thi-
badeauX was not too badly hit in his
first encounter Ringold would meet him
after it was finished.
When the clock struck the appointed
hour the next morning Brainard was
on the ground. Ringold was there, but
Thibadeaux did not appear. After
waiting some time for him the others
went away.
That was the last that was seen of
Thibadeaux in Virginia. Nor was he
ever heard of afterward, though sew
eral holders of his 1. o. us tried hard
to find him.
No engagement between Virginia Har-
desty and Arthur Ringold took place.
Soon after Thibadeaux's disappear
ance Major Brainard received an
anonymous bouquet of flowers Then