The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-02
Thi5 Story 1OG5 6<gnn IaJt zoesA. LenGansett.
BY OPIE p. READ.
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
 There was no excitement in the vil- lage, for no one except the men who wit messed the quarrel between Len and Haney supposed that duel was about to take place. Haney was insolently cool. Len was somewhat excited.
 "This is very unfortunate affair, Gansett," said Dockery, taking Lens arm, land hope you won't think that it is the way in which we in general con- duct such matters. Some of the finest compositions ever saw were communi- cations growing out of little social differ ences, and which led to notifications of honor. l am sorry for your grandfather's sake that these arrangements could not have been touched up with a little more elegant formality."
 Len shuddered and the editor contin- ued: " Haven't get chill, hope. If you have, would like to recommend Peggleston's Pills, they are advertised in the Pieket."
 "Dockery, this is all foolishness," Len replied. "I was brought up in a civil ized way and don't believe in such butchery. Say, MT. Haney," stopping and addressing the fire eater" who str oiled along short distance behind, "can't we arr ange this disgusting affair ?"
 Ef yer ain't coward, go on. It'll mi ghty soon be arranged"
 Come, Gansett," said the editor, there is no alternative"
 Len. without attempting further to set- tie the affair, suffered himself to be led away. The place selected was dreary sandbar, partly overgrown with stubby bushes. Len stood for a moment and gazed at the river. He had but few moments time, for Dockery, thrusting a pistol into the young mans hand, said |:
 He's standing off there waiting for you. Don't tremble that way. Aim at his breast. That's right brace yourself"
 Haney showed no signs of fear. Len had hoped that the impetuous man would, when he saw the near approach of blood, consent to some sort of compro- mise, but Haney's calm determination tore loose hope's last ligament, and, ad- dressing the editor, he said: Dockery, you know that didn't bring this on. tried to get out of it. Please tell my grandfather-"
 "How much longer air yer goin' ter palaverS" shouted Haney.
 "Stand steady, Len," said Dockery as he turned away. "Now you're all right"
 Haney, whose lankness gave him the appearance of superior height, stood erect and defiant. A breeze stirred his long. light hair. The signal was given. The two reports were almost simultane- ous. Len did not move. Haney stager. ed and fell. Dockery ran to Len and in voice not free from agitation, said
 Come, let us get away from here. Don't go and look at him the remem- brance will only make you feel worse when reaction sets in. You have killed him. Come on, tell youi" excitably grasping Lens arm. "Damn it, man. we'll be arrested for murder"
 Len no longer hesitated. When Dockery pronounced the word murder, the young man caught his breath with a quick gasp and, turning, he followed the editor who with strides more far-reach ing than graceful, was harrying away.
 "I don't know what to do," said Len, catching up with Dockery. "I am half inclined to give myself up."
 "Then you are just half fool, that's Ill. Confound it, don't you know that they'll hang you? Let's keep close to the river till we get to your grandtater's place. We'll stop at the house as if nothing had happened and get couple of horses. We won't tell the old folks anything about it, but will manage to send the horses back after we are safe. Geewhilikans, man, you are as pale as a ghost. Let me take the pistol reckon the boys1l take care of the other one."
 "Dockery," said Len when they had gone some distance, "do you think am . murderer ?"
 "Of course, don't think so," the edi- tor replied, but" he added, in tone oi voice by no means reasssring, the law'll care devilish little for what l think.