Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-11-25

this terrible accusation
81 won't do it."
"Can you do it ?"
"Of course, I could If I would"
But has Philip spoken trulyr
EVERY word Of truth"
"Oh, Mark, is it possible :"
cit il true, tell you. Do you think I'll
let q second husband Of yours live in the
same world with me3 And that, most e.
pecially, after you having declared thatyou
love him3 No. You must think that I am
fool indeed"
"But he does live"
"I know it. Both he and myself can't
live long"
"You surely would not, a second time, try
tc take his life p
"I tell you that he and I can't both I've
OF course you would decide for himi"
"I shall never, knowingly, be the willing
wife of one who has murder in his heart"
al thought so. Now, Philip Dark. how
do you propose to die ?"
"What do you meant ?" asked Dark.
"I mean that We must fight. Oh. I
won't stab you in the dark. But we must
fight in such manner that it will be Ger
tain death to one of us, and most likely to
both. Will you fight me as propose, pro-
vided the chances are equal ?"
"No. won't fight you at all"
"Are you coward p
"Now
"Then why viii you not fght3"
because Nancy needs the protection Of
some better man than murderer. A duel
is game of chance, and might be the
loser. In that event she would still be left
to you"
She will have nothing to do with me any
way. Is that not the case, Nanceys"
"It is."
"And you will be his wifep"
eff he claims me as such"
"And you, Philip Dark, will nos fight
me?'
"Not SO long as another claims my pro-
lection"
In an instant after, a rifle shot echoed
through the room, and throwing up her
hands with a shrek, Nancy fell back upon
the floor. bleeding and struggling in the
last grasp of death. Dark was 80 horror
stricken by this dreadful act that. for an
instant, he stood speechless. Then he bent
over the dying woman, never for an instant
thinking Of his own safety. Heclosed hereyes
and pressed his lips to her brow-he listened
to the last faintly-drawn breath, and then.
for the first time. thought of himself. Turn
ing. he saw Mark standing near, gloatins
like fend upon him. Observing that the
villain did not even retain his rife in his
grasp, he asked, "Why did you not kill me-
Mark Webba'
"Are you anxious to die ?" was the sneer-
ing response.
"I care not to live after having witnessed
such deed"
"Then 1 will giveyou chance for death.
It will be double death for you"
"What do you mean?"
"You died. in effect. Eve years ago. You
shall die again to-day"
"How do you propose to hill mer
IL propose to fight, now that abe no
longer lives to claim your protection. Will
you fight msr
"Yes."
Enough. You have knife in your belt
that is all you want. have the same
Come. follow me to DEATH"
"Where do you goi"
"To the head Of the falls. Do you fsar
to followY'
II do not. Lead on"
Mark took q coil Of rope. probably hun
dred feet in length, off q peg, and bore it
with him. Reaching the ledge Aanking the
falls. he affixed one end Of the cord firmly
around the root Of tree. This done. he
started down the cliffs.
"Where are you going ?" asked Philip.
who had been watching him in silence.
ITO the opposite ledge, across the falls.
You see, in order to reach it, that I must
60 to the base Of the cataract, cross the
stream. and then ascend the other side."
"What il your purpossf"
"My purpose will soon develop itself"
It was not long before the villain vas
standing upon the opposite ledge. The
yawning gulf Of two thousand feet was be-
tween himself and his foe. and the waters
lashed the ragged rocks as it thundered over
them.
That rope is already coiled." said Mark.
] speaking across. ''Throw me the other end"
This was done, and the line made fast
upon the opposite side. Asingle cord now
bridged that dreadful chasm.
"Meet me in the centre Of the rope
bridge" said Mark. Eve will fight only
with our knives"
Az he said this. he began his advance.
Philip Dark did the same. and both men
crept carefully towards each other. the
rope bending fearfully beneath thsir
weight.
They were within ten feet Of each other,
when the courage Of Mark began to fail
him. He found himself upon the very
brink Of death. and he regretted the step he
had taken. Why did he not kill his enemy
1t once. and without mourning any danger
himselfp But was it too late nowi No.
Hegazed into the eye Of Dark. he saw
determination and absence Of fear there, -
he came slowly forward He hesitatsd no
longer, but drawing apistol from his breast.
while the blood trickled between his Anesss.
He waved to and fro, and appsarsd ready
70 fall. Naxk considered his triumph suzo.
But q that instant DARK raised his kni6eu
i ani stxuck desperate blow. The fra1