American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-04-10

neyerswerved from their steady gaze
upon the fiery black ones. It ap.
peared as if the serpent and the bird
had Shanged places, and the fierce
charlser become charmed.
RkaWp at length continued Luke
BOtSt6If, lam a fool to take. any no.
tice OF er boy who | could crush be-
tween my thumb and fingers. Take
yer money, ef yer such er sneak; go
back ermong the women and never
dare ter show yer face ermong men
ergain.'
| care nothing for the money! was
still the calm response. 1T is no
thing to me-
what do yer want, thenY
To prove that you are coward at
heart
No man ever lived that dared ter
say such a thing
'Simply because YOU murdered
them, Luke BOuton.'
Murdered But, no, I'll not fight
er boy
Because You dare not. But YOU
shall have no excuse and Mark
Whiteman spat full in the face of the
blood-stained gambler.
In an instant all was confusion.
Bouton sprang forward with his knife
raised, and would have cut down his
insulter with blow. But others did
the same. They realized that blood
must be shed, but they insisted on
fair play Even in the horrible
code of Texas duelling they demand
ed that the rnles of honor (?) should
be strictly adhered to.
'If you must fight said an old
Ranger, 'and see no way to avoid
it now, it shall be all open and above
board. It's your choice, BOuton. Pick
your weapon and stand up and fight
it out like men,
Pistols, then-ten paces-word =
was the gruff answer.
Are you satisfied p was asked of
Whiteman.
'Yes-perfectly. Let him take his
revolver-I have mine. We will com
mence firing at the word, and con-
tlnue to advance and do so until one
or both falls.'
A few steps from the house brought
them to spot where the green grass
and bright flowers had more than
once been stained in such encounters.
The men were placed-the weapons
prepared and the fatal word was
about to be given when Whiteman
called the Ranger (who was acting as
his secOnd) and taking his hand
within his own, whispered:
you appear to be kind and true
hearted man, and | wish to ask a
favor of YOU
'Speak on. Anything I can do
shall be done. just say the word
and I'll take your place.
No, not that But if l should
chance to fall, promise that you will
see me buried as | am. Do not let
my dress be disturbed in the least.
r Ill me up in blanket and let no
one pry around me after | am dead
Will you promise me that 2
1t is a strange thing to ask, but
I'll do it,
'Then | am ready
Yes, Il do it, repeated the Ran
ger, as he slowly retreated, muttering
to himself, land if you fall, I'll send
bullet through the head of him that
killed you, and may the good Lord
forgive me if it is a MURDER
Now, Luke Bouton,' continued
Whiteman, Il am ready. Yet one
word,' and he stepped to his side,
and handed him "A miniature. If
you die, look at this
'I'll do it nOw,' and with trembling
fingers he undid the clasp-then let
it drop from his hands as if it had
been serpent, eXclaiming, mo, I'll
not fight you. Take him away some
One-take him away for Gods sake
Not fight? Then you will die like
a dog and Whiteman raised his
weapon and motioned for the word
to be given.
1t was sometime, however, before
his request was complied with. The
sinewy frame of the gambler trem-
bled like dry leaf in the autumn
wind; all the color had left his face ::
his lips were like ashes; his pistol
was pointed muzzle downwards, and
shook in his hands. At length he
succeeded, by a mighty effort, in
calming himself. He braced his
nerves-glared wildly around-and
with all the calmness of despair.
stood upon his guard.
Are you ready! Both ready p
was asked.
yes came simultaneously from
two pair of lips.
'One-twO-three
The report of the pistols cut the
last words in twain. The seconds
rushed forward and lifted the men
up again, for both had fallen. One,
however, would never breathe more.
Luke Bouton had fought his last
duel-had gone to his last account
with his heart bullet-cleft. White
man, too, was dangerously wounded.
With his breath bubbling forth
through blood he called the Ranger
to him and asked him for the minia-
ture. 1t was given him-the fair face
of a young man. He covered it with
bloody tingers-whispered, Bury it
with me- and he too had ceased to
live.
With fearful eyes that form was
prepared for the grave, the Ranger
insisted that his promise to the dead
should be fulfilled to the letter. But
all saw sufficient to satisfy them that
he who called himself Whiteman was
young woman. And years later
they found clue to the mystery. 1t
was a wife who had then reven" "ed
the murder of her husband-murder
ed for saving her from dislnonor |!
From bloody grave in the chappa-
raj, she had gone to join him she had
loved SO well in the land that lies
te:xo1d the dark river.
WAS her last act one of sin ? 1t
is not 1br us to judge Of such thing.
We knpw nothing of the maddened
heart and insane brain-know no.
thing the long days and longer
nights suffering nothing Of how