The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-30

1
ed than one who was present reporte,
that he was a skilled shot and fencer
had been "out" number of times an,
had usually killed his opponent Tbi,
caused hutter among Ringou,
friends and was especially unpalatabl,
to Ringold himself.
The report was not long in reaehin,
virginia. She had heard of the alter
cation and was quite taken abaek a
what she considered solely the conse
quence of her own action. When sb,
heard that Thibadeaux was an exner,
at arms she was terror stricken TIL,
prospect Of being the cause OF tho
elimination OF the man she VAS think
ing Of accepting for husband was
dreadful. She sent for Ringold. took
BACK all she had said about admirine
bravery and asked him to withdraw
from the quarrel.
Ringold told her that she had moth
Ing to do with 1t and he could no,
withdraw without being considered n
poltroon and coward. Nevertheless
he showed by his manner that he
would gladly withdraw, having nc
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 "a
would put him in worse position than
| before.
Ringold endeavored to gain time.
| hoping that SEINE arrangement might
be made to let him out of the affair.
lie succeeded in having the meeting
put off for twenty-four hours after
1t had been appointed The evening
after the fraeas occurred Major Brain
ard stroled into the tavern, sat down
at table and eallel for a julep. Thi-
badcaux aud couple of friends were
at another table.
Pardon me. monsieur" said Brain
! ard to Thibadeaux. You do not seem
to remember me-"
81 confess l do not" replied Thiba.
deaux.
Itb INT ltlItSn aoul ".
Twelve years ago | was on duty with
the army at New Orleans. At ball
you purposely insulted me. 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 fired before the
signal you lie!'
ITO give gentleman the lie calls
for satisfaction. This time I shall he
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
iect to this, and n messenger was dis
patched TO Ringold to ask him If he
would step aside for another. Ringold,
Iildl nC ihlSul dIlftui pldNC
without rlsking anything. demurred,
whereupon Brainard called upon him
and represented TO him that, having
been challenged by Thibadeaux. Thi-
badeaux had right to withdraw the
challenge until after another encoun-
ter. Ringold. who was really much
relieved ut 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, u 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 coward. or thought
he did, and fancied that Ringold would
/ show the white feather at the last mo-
ment. If not. Thibadeaux counted on
effecting compromise without de-
/ tracing from his own reputation.
Ringold could not but suspect that
Brainard had some reason for his ac-
ton, and that reason was to step in
between him and death. Ringold sent
note to Virginia Hardesty informing
her that In his affair with Thibadeaux
he had given place 10 another. IL Thi
badeaux was not too badly hit in his
first encounter Ringod would meet hin
after il was finished.
When the clock struck the appointed
hour the next morning Brainard wa
on the ground. Ringold WAS there, bu
Thihadpaux did not appear. Ate
waiting some time for him the other
went away.
That was the last that was seen o
Thibadeaux In Virginia. Nor was h
ever heard Of afterward, though seS
eral holders of his |. o. US tried har
| TO find him.