Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-05-30

admired them for their bravery, and
would be glad always to look upon
them as friends, but she could really
give them no answer, having known
them so short time Perhaps, also,
something of a woman's pique at the
fact of their having shown SO plainly
that even for her sake neither cared
to break their fraternal friendship
made her answer more discomfort
and reserved than it would otherwise
have been.
at seems she is yet to be won by
both of us, mon fs'ere," the elder said
as they left the apartment. 'Let the
best man win.'
$50 be it, the other answered.
The tones ofboth were cordial, but
this lime their hands did not join.
The feeling of jealousy was once
more in both their breasts, and they
felt they again we're rivals. That
same evening the Consul gave grand
reception. At the ball that followed,
the elder of The brothers asked Made
moiselle De valiant to darce with
him. She refused, pleading fatigue,
and the young man, walking away in
chagrin, stood IN the shadow of a
doorway twirling his long moustache
discontentedly. he had stood thus
for q few moments when his brother
accosted the young Indy and made
the same request. She rose with
smile, and, taking his arm, in few
moments they had joined the walters.
With frown dark as midnight
gathering on his face, the other
watched them as they glided along to
the soft, dreamy music. When the
dance was ended, and the young man
had taken his partner back to her
seat, the other crossed the room to
where he was, and laid his hand upon
his arm.
$50 it seems you had a secret I'M
derstanding between YOU" he said,
ssand both acted The part of traitors
and liars to me-"
Probably WHAT followed neither
knew until both stood facing each
other in the farthest corner of the
garden beyond the palace, each with
pistol in his hand, and q wild, mad
dened craving for vengeance in his
breast.
1t vas night in midwinter, end
the snow lay more than a foot deep
upon the ground, while few feathely
flakes had begun to fall from the
skies. In the secluded spot they had
chosen, the report of their pistols
would pass unnoticed among the
sound of the music and the dancers
feet in The saloon they had left, They
stood six PAGES apart, their faces half
turned from each other and their eyes
fixed upon the Pickering fame Of a
pocket taper stuck in the bark of a
tree, the extinguishing Of which was
the signal agreed upon between them
to deliver their fire.
Their whole attention concentrated
on the Pickering flame, they did not
see, and on the snow covered ground
they did not hear, the footballs Of a
young girl, whose asonized excite
ment sealed her lips, rushing with all
her speed towards them to try and
stay their murderous design.
They only saw the taper. 1t flick
cred, played up fitfully for moment.
anu l44SH Ncut OUT. SIMULTANEOUSLY
they both turned and fired. The
younger brother reeled and staggered
for the bullet had grazed his forehead,
but the elder stood unha4.nsd. In
his arms, however, he held the man
innate form of Zinetta De Valiant.
who had sprung before him to save
him, and received in her own fsir
bosom the bullet intended for himself
He gazed into her pallid face for
an instant, and then agroan ofagony
burst from his lips. He had looked
upon death in every form too often