The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1869-09-01

The delicate frame trcmbied not,
the sweet, almost girliSh express
ion upon the mobile lips remained.
and the mild, blue eyes never
swerved from their steady gazt
upon the frey black ones. 1t ap'
peared as if the serpent anu the
hirl had changed places, and the
fierce charmer became the charm
ed.
"PShaw !" at length continued
Luke Bouton, 81 am er fool to
take any notice of er boy who !!
could crush between my thumb
and fingers. Take Yer money, if
yer such er sneak; go back ermong
the women, aud never dare ter
show yer face ermons men er'
gain"
Il rare nothing for the money"
was the still calm response. 1T
is nothing to me-"
What d0 Yer want, then /!
ITO prove that you are a COW
ard at heart"
No man ever lived that dared
ter say snch er thing"
"Simp!y because you murdered
them, Luke Buuton."
Murdered But no, Ill not
fight err boy"
Because YOU dare not. Bu,
Won shall have no excuse. and
Mark Whiteman spat full in the
face Of the bIood-stained man
In an instant all vas confusion
Bouton sprung forward with his
knife raised, and would have cut
down his insnlter with 4 blow
But others did the same. They
realized that blood must be shed,
hut they insisted on fair play
Even in the horrible code of Tex
as sdueiins, they demanded that
the rules of honor should be
strictly adhered to.
IF YOU must fight" SAID an old
Ranger, land l see no way to
avui.i it now, it should he all open
and above board. It's your
choice, Bouton. Pick your wea'
pons and stand up and fight it out
like men,"
- '.Pistois, then-ten PAGES
wor,l !" was the gruff answer.
Are you satisfied p was asked
OF Whiteman.
"Yes-pertcctly. Let him take
hls revolver-l have mine. We
will commence firing at the word
AMI continue to advance and DC
so until one or both falls"
A few steps from the house
brought them where the green
grass and bright flowers had more
than once been stained in such
encounters. The men were placed
the weapons prepared and ,he
fatal word was about to he giver
when Whiteman called the Ran
yer (who was acting aS his sec
ond) and taking his hand within
his own whispered:
"You appear to be q kind ant
true hearted man, and | wish Il
ask favor of YOU"
Speak on. Anything | can dc
shall he done. Just say the wore
and I'll take your place"
NO, not that. But if | shonlc
chance to fall. promise that yor
will see me buried as I am. d.
not let my dress be disturbed il
the least. Roll me up in u hlan
ket AMI let no ore pry around me
after | am dead. Will you prom
iSe me that ?"
1T 's Il strange thing to ask
but I'll do H."
"Then. | am ready"
Yes, I'll do it," repeated tn
Ranger. As he slowly retreated
mu,tering to himself, "and if yor
10 fall, I'll send a bullet through
the skull of him who killed you
and may the good Lord forgive
me if it is murder"
Now, Luke Bouton." continued
Whiteman, IL am ready. Ye
one word" and he stepped to hi
side and handed him miniature
If | die, look ut this"
Ill do it. now," and with trem
bling fingers he und:d the clasp
then letting it drop from his hand
as iii had been 4 serpent, ex
claimed mo, I'll not fight you
Take him away some one-tak'
him away for Gods sake"
Not fight. Then you will di'
like a dog" and Whiteman raise'
his weapon and motioned for tn
word to be given.
1t was sometime, however, be
! fore his request was compiled
with. The sinewy frame OF th'
Bouton trembled like a dry lea
in the autumn wind ; all the color
had left his face ; his lips were
like ashes his pistol was pointed
muzzle downwards. and shook il