The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-11-29
A THRILLING STORY


"lAlAu hVNlLhkI buuuellIy AuNWuCbu luI
struck him In the face. Tie spectator
stood ughast What could have temple,
the stranger TO rush thus luadly on hi
iate2 lie was Rn old man. Already, :
appearance, had three score and ten year
passed over his head. lie must indies
have been weary Of life. whose remnan
he was ready to cast away so recklessly.
The Major was AstoniShed. The yer,
audacity OF the act struck him with amaze
mCnt,
SIS this provOcatlon sufficient, or mus
l repeat it3' inquired the assailant.
The Majors first impulse was to return
blow for blow. But fierce and violent u
were his passions, hesChOoled himself Il
complete mastery over them, and
moments reflection told him how bottles
under the circumstances, would be pub
lie row. The indignlty he had receives
would admit Of but one repAration, ant
that he determined to lose no time II
seeking,
"The insult Is sufficient" he answered.
with forced calmneSs. "fOu will obligI
me by naming friend"
The two strangers took their leave to
gether.
Atsunrisc the next morning the princi
pals and their seconds made their appear
ance on the ground selected. No one els
was present not even q surgeon. Tht
Major, In his own past experience, nevel
had needed one; and his opponent, 1t wa
plain, was careless OF the consequences.
There was no necessity for delay. The
prelimlnaries had been settled. The par
ties were to fight with pistols, at ten PAGES
the combat 10 continue until one or botl
had fallen.
One condition had been insisted on by
tho stranger, which called an Indignant
BLUSH 10 the Majors cheek, as il seemed
TO imply an imputation upon his honor
though he submitted 10 Il with the bes
grace he could. II was that before placing
the cOmbatants In position, the bodies o.
both should be inspected, 10 see that nc
secret protective device was employed by
either.
The ground was measured, and the men
stationed. There was q marked contrast
between the two In more than that oil
years. The old man erect and motionless
as statue, his whitened locks floating in
the breeze, never once looked at his an,
tagouist, though his side was turned. His
lace was stern and determined but moth.
Ing malignant in 1t. The Major, on the
other hand, glared hcrcely on his foe
seemed even TO grudge him the few mo,
ments Of life yet eked ont to him.
"Were he my father, would kill him.
he answered audibly, to some whispered
expostulation OF his second, who was evi
IDENTIFY touched by the old mans veusra,
| bic appearance.
The pistols were put into the hands o.
the principals, and the giving of the word
explained:
| 'Gentlemen, arc you ready?
Ready" both answered.
Still the old man moved not, nor did he
direct single glance at his adversary
His eyes were fixed in front. Ills attitude
was one OF rapt attention. He seemed
like one listening intently.
"Fire!"
Without changing the direction Of his
gaze or other movements than that OF hit
arm, which rose with the precision OF 9
nicely adjusted machine, The old mar
brought his pistol To the level OF his enc.
mv's breast. For an instant he held II
there, Still the same appearance Of eager
listening.
The Major was In no hurry. He could
afford to take his time with q man who
held his pistol ut random, without at al
looking whitherWard. lie was determined
TO make sure work. II his ball missed hit
adVersary's heart, even 4 fraction OF N
inch, he would never make any preten.
sion to skill again. The sharp report o.
the strangers pistol was followed by .
cOnvulsiye jerk Of the Majors arm, caus
ing the discharge Of his weapon far wide
oiits mark, while he, staggering few pace.
backward, fell heavily TO the ground.
conduct me to him, said the old mar
10 his friend.
The latter took his principals arm, and
led him to the PROSTATE form Of the Major
whose second, kneeling by his side, hat
torn open his garment, exposing to view
the strangers bullet.
"ls your friend seriously hurt?" In
lQuired the latter, coolly.
"fOu can see for yourself, sir" the sec
ond answered.
"There you are in error" replied thu
other; n am totally blind"
Tho wounded mau had BY this time re
vived little, and his second looked at thu
stranger in astonishment. There was nj
visible defect In his organs OF vision; buI
there was iiXity OF look that "bendinG
Of tho eyes on vacanCy"-which 80 unmis
lakably evinCes the absence Of sight.
"Who are you, and what ia your motive
in seeking this encounter" the Majol
iaintly murmured.
First, are you in condition 10 renew
III" inquired the stranger.
''Thefe Is no need-I am dying"
"When have told you who am" thu
stranger replied, ''you will scarce require
any motive for what ! have done. NJ
wonderyou haveiorgotten james Morton,
he continued, "iOr he Is greatly change
no doubt"
The dying man started and groaned bit
terly. N.ar ST..
"But | have not forgotten you, Richard
Buiord, nor the injuries you have done
me. A cherished daughter, the pride
Of my eyes and the Joy OF heI
mothers heart, you enticed from home
deceived by sham marriage, and abaud
oned her 70 die Of grief. My son ant
only remaining child, in rash attempt tc
avenge his sisters wrongs, fell victim L
your aecursed skill, You,even robbed hin
Of the ordinary chances Of combat, uu
equal as they would have been, by encas
ing your cOwardly body in concealed
arm0r. The loss Of both my children un
settled my wileB reason, and she died Ii
a mad house. Could have found you
then, would have given you no chance
for your life, but valiant RSlYou have al
ways protested 10 be, and coward Us you
are, you evAded me. Yet l knew vi
should one day meet; and / registered 1
vow that when we did would offer you
a sacrifice 10 your internal art. To this enc
| studied 10 become IN adept at II, Ant
when At length blindness cast It's shadow
upon me, and seemed 10 render hopeless
the fuliiliment OF my VOW; instead OF abGu
doning II, betook myself 70 \ neY-spe
cies OF practice, sought TO make hear
Ing take the place OF sight. Again sue
ceeded. learned 10 take aim with thu
car instead Of the ,cye. When | hear
your answer ready to-day l know Tn
exact direction in which 10 point my plH
tol, a. II had seen you, Besides, conlI
hear your breathing where you stood. Yol
lost your chance In delaying your fire
You wished TO make sure work and over
reached yourself"
More than onco the Major looked up
pealingly at the spsakorg iRce, but In thoS
rCmOrSeleSs, Sighlless eyes, there was nj
sympathy. And rs tho lRbored breathing
grew fainter, the old man resumed hi
listening attitude. At last he wa
: still.
"Ile Is dcall" ho said; snI It's wonte,
expression OF sober melancholy settled oil
the old mans face, "a, taking his com
panionla arm. hO turned and walked lal.