The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1879-12-06
4 THRILLING STORY
OfRetrib1ItiUe Justice.

| emlnCncc, rue mhJbT, was IiIc iH'7
noted duclist of The day. a deat
shot, a perfect master of fencing
and in his cnmitics utterly relent
less, his name had become ter
ror to all who knew him.
In the midst of u knot Of admir-
ing friends one day the MINOR wa:
discussing his last "alliIir," anc
complaccntly explaining how i
came that he mortally wounded hi'
adversary, instead fkilling him oil
the spot, when one of two gentle
men standing within hearing, sud
denly advanced and struck him il
the fitcc. The spectators siooG
aghast. What could have tempted
the stranger to rush thus madly on
his fate? 1Te was an old man
Already, to appearance, had three
scoro and ten years passed over his
head. lie must indeed have been
weary Of life, whose remnant he
was ready to cast away so reckless
ly. -,
The Major was astonished. The
very audacity ofthe act struck him
with amazement.
is this provocation sufficient, oil
must repeat it," inquired the as
sailant.
The Majors first impulse was to
return blow for blow. But fierce
and violent rs were his passions, he
schooled himself 10 complete mas
terry over them, and Il moments re-
Election told him how bootless un.
der the circumstances, would be Il
public row. The indignity. he had
received would admit Of but ono
rcparation, and that he determined
to loose no time in seeking.
"The insult is sufficient" ho an
swcrcd, with forced calmness.
"You will oblise Inc by naming n
friend"
The two strangers took their
leave together.
At sunrise tho next morning the
principals and their seconds made
their appearance on the ground Sc
lcctcd. No one else wss present
NOT cvcn n surgeon, The Major. in
his own past experience, never had
needed one, and his opponent, it
was plain, was careless Of the con-
sequences.
There was no necessity for delay.
The preliminaries had been settled.
The parties wcro TO fight with pis-
tolls, at ten paccs, tho combat to
continue until one or both had fal-
len.
One condition had been insisted
on by the stranger, which called Al,
Indignant blush TO tho Majors
cheek, as it seemed to imply an
imputation upon his honor, though
he submitted to it with :ho bost
grace he could. II was that before
placing the combatants in position,
the bodies of both should he in
spccted, to see that no secret pro-
tective device was employed by
either.
The ground was measured. and
tho men stationed. There was a
marked contrast between the two
in moro than that of years. The
old man erect and motionlcss us Il
statue, his whitencd locks floating
in the breeze, never once looked nj
his antagonist, though his side was
turned, His face was stern anil
determined, but nothing malignant
in it. The Major, on the other
hand, glared lierccly on his foe
seemed even to grulgs him the fow
moments Of life yet eked out ia
him.
"Werc he my father, I would kill
himm he answered audibly,to some
whispered cxpostulation Of his
second, who was evidently touched
by the old mans venerable appear,
ance.
The pistols wero put into the
hands Of the principals, and the
giving of tho word explained;
"Gcntlsmen, are YOU rcady?'
"Reatly," both answered.
Still the old man moved not, noi
did he direct II single glance at his
adversary. His eyes were fixed il
front. Ills attitude was one o.
| rapt attention. lie seemed like
one listening intently.
"Firc!'
Without changing the direction
of his gazo or other movement:
than that Of his arm, which rose
with the precision of Il nicely adj
justed machine, the old mar
brought his pistol to the level o
his encmy's breast. For an instant
ho held it there. Still tho SAINT
appearance Of eager listening.
The Major was in no hurry. III
could afford to take his time witt
II man who held his pistol at ran
dom, without at all looking whith
crwarl. lie was determined t
make sure work. If his bal
missed his adversary's heart, ever
a fraction of an inch, he woul'
never make any prctcnsion to skill
arain, The sharp repOrt of In,