The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-05-06

land see no way to avoid 1t now, 1t shall
be all open and above board. It's your
choice, Benton. Pick your weapon and
stand up and fight it out like men.
''Pistols then-ten paces--word !" was
the gruff answer.
care you satisfed?" was asked of White
man.
Yes-perfectly. Let him take lis re-
volver-I have mine. We will commence
firing at the word and continue to advance
and do so until one or both falls"
A few steps from the house brought
them to a spot where the green grass and
bright flowers had more than once been
stained i'll 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 true-hearted man
and | wish to ask 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 | should chance
to fall, promise that you will see me buried
as / am. Do not let my dress be disturbed
in the least. Roll me up in blanket and
let no one pry around me after am dead.
Will you promise me that"
cit is a strange thing to ask, but I'll do
it."
"Then am ready"
eyes, I'll do it, repeated the Ranger, as
he slowly retreated, muttering to himself,
''and if you do fall I'll send bullet through
) the skull of him that kills you, and may
the good Lord forgive me if it is murder
"Now, Luke Benton" continued White
man, 81 am ready. Yet one word, and he
stepped to his side and handed him mnia-
ture. eff die look at this"
"I'll do it now; )" and with trembling
fingers he undid the cIasp-then let it drop
from his hands as if it had been serpent
exclaiming, s'No I'll not fight you. Take
him away, some one-take him away, fol
Gods sake"
''Not fight then you will die like a dog :
and Whiteman raised his weapon and mo-
toned for the word to be given.
1t was some time, however, before lis
request was complied with The sinewy
in the autumn wind; all the color had lef
his face his lips were like ashes his pisto
was pointed downwards and shool, in his
hands. At length he succeeded, by might,
effort, in calming himself. He braced hi
= nerves-glared wildly around, and with al
the calmness Of despair, stood upon hi:
guard.
care you ready-both ready" was ask
ed
EYES, came simultaneously from two
pair of lips.
One--two-three-fre -
The report of the pistols cut the last wore
in twain. The seconds rushed forward ant
lifted the men up again, for both had fallen
One, however, would never breath more
Luke Benton had fought his last duel--hat
gone to his final account with his heart bul
let cleft. Whiteman, too, was dangerousl,
wounded With his breath bubbling fortl
through blood he called the Ranger to lin
and asked him for the miniature. 1t wa
given him--the fair face Of a young man
He covered it with bloody lingers-whis
pered, "Bury it with me-" and he too hat
ceased to live.
With fearful eyes that form was prepar
, ed for the grave, the Ranger insisting tina
his promise to the dead should be fulfilled
! to the letter. But all saw sufficient to sat
isfy them that he who called himself White
man was young woman. And years late
they found q clue to the mystery. 1t wa
a wife who had then revenged the murde
!, of her husband-murdered for saving he
. from dishonor! From a bloody grave il
the chapparel, she had gone to Join him sh
had loved so well in the land that lies be
yond the dark river
Was her last act one of sin? Il is no
for us to judge of such thing. We know
nothing of the maddeEea heart and insane
brain-know nothing of the long days anC
longer nights of suffering g-nohing Of how
we would act under such circumstances
Better leave judgment~to Him who cal
read both the mind and the heart, an'
whose will directed the avenging bullet
!, None other is without sin, aud who vii
dare to cast the first stone: