Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-07-28
The principals were in their places


eyeing each other savagely over th,
glistening barrels of their harmless
revolvers. Two pairs of bright eyes
peered from the underbrush, shor
distance behind each of the duellists
and two human beings were strug
Cling to suppress their laughter
which was almost uncomfortable.
Are you ready?' Kissed Fred.
"Yes," muttered Ed.
"Firew
There was report Of two pistols
a pader wad from Fred's struck EC
upon the forehead 1t was very easy
in the excitement of the moment, fol
him to suppose that it was a more
deadly projectile. He threw up his
hands, calculated few incoherent
words, and went over backwards.
I've murdered himr' shrieked
Fred, throwing aside his pistol, and
preparing to decamp in double quick
order. But broken limb interferred
and he went down as his opponent
had, shouting, as he did so, "I've
murdered nimw
1t was impossible for the girls to
contain themselves longer. They
must give vent to their suppressed
merriment or explode. They wisely
concluded TO adopt the former course,
and the maple grove echoed with
their laughter.
1t was scarcely heard by the fallen
heroes, for their minds were occupied
by far more weighty matters-one in
believing himself dead, and the other
in thinking himself a murderer. One
human soon discovered that he was
in the land of the living, and SO, each
having seen the other fall, believed
himself to be the only one that es-
capped, and that his only way to cheat
the gallows was to fly from the
country at once.
Fred was the first to gather him
self up and hurry toward the depot.
His course led him past the rem
devious which Cecilia had appointed
for the meeting. OF course she was
waiting for him, and as he ap-
preached he began:
"Oh, Cecilia! I've met him and I've
murdered him! But it was done
fairly. L know there was no foul
play. Come-we will be married at
the first station and go to the Cont
nent at onceW
Cecilia could not answer; she was
shaking from head to foot. She took
his arm silently, and they walked on
rapidly to the depot, just in time to
take the first coach of train that
was about to leave, and few mo-
ments before another couple, who
took the last coach in the train. 1t
may be supposed that the last pair
was none other than Edward and
Eva.
Twenty five miles from l. - is
that interesting city of the West, La
Crosse. Here the two girls hurried
the late duelists off the train, and
proceeded by circuitous routes to
the residence of clergyman, who
had been previously instructed in the
part he was to perform in the drama
then forming.
They were ushered into separate
rooms, connecting by large, double
folding doors with third. The
curtain was ready to rise,
The great doors opened; the
trembling maidens led their 'lords
of creation" into the room, bringing
them face to face with each other,
and opposite the divine, who book in
hand, stood waiting their approach.
If a thunder bolt had fallen at
their feet the boys could not have
been much more astonished. There
was silence for a moment as they con-
fusedly gazed at each other. Then
the girls, and even the parson, whose
equanimity we would naturally sup
pose would be .invincible, broke
down completely, convulsed with
laughter.
Edward and Fred were not long in
understanding and appreciating the
situation. They shook hands good
naturedly, and joined heartily in the
laughter at their expense.
The ceremonies proceeded, and
the boys postponed their contem-
plated visit to llnds beyond the seas
indefinitely.