The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-29
"GRESSY.


The rude preliminahes were soon set
tied. The parties armed with rifles were
to fire at the word from distance of
eighty yards, and then approach each
other, continuing the fight with revolt
vcrs until one or the other fell. The sel-
eation Of seconds was effected by the
elder Harrison acting for McKinstry,
and after moments delay blythe vol
unteerine Of the long lank figure prey
lnuslv noted to act for the master. Pre-.
occupied By other thoughts, Mr.. Ford
Maid little heed to his seli-eleCted sup
norter who TO the others seemed to be
only taking that method OF showing his
contempt for McKinstry's recent insult.
Tho master received the rifle mechan-
iraIly from his hand and walked TO pos
ilion. lie noticed however and rcmem-
brred afterwards that his second was
half hidden by the trunk OF large pine
to his right that marked the limit OF the
ground.
In that supreme moment it must be
recorded, albeit against all preconceived
theory, that he did not review his past
life, wns not illuminated by flash OF
remorseful or sentimental memory, and
did not commend his soul to his Maker,
but that he was simply and keenly alive
to the very actual present in which he
still existed and to his one idea OF not
firing at his adversary. And If anything
could render his conduct more theoreti-
cally incorrect it was certain exalted
sense that he was doing quite right and
was not only not u bad fellow, but one
whom his survivors might possibly re-
greet!
care YOU ready, gentlemen? One
two thrce-f -. "
The explosions were singularly sim
ultUnuOus-SO remarkable in fact that 1t
seemed to the master that his rifle, fired
! in the air, had given double report. a
light wreath OF smoke lay between him
and his opponent. He was unhurt'-so
evidently was his adversary, for the voice
rose again. -,
"Adyauce! E. Halo there Stop"
He looked M quickly to see McKin-
stry stagger and then fall heavily to the
ground.
With IN exclamation OF horror, the
first and only terrible emotion he had
ielt, he ran 20 the fallen man, as Har-
risor reached his side at the same mo
ment.
.lor Gods sake" he said wildly,
throwing himself on his knees beside
McKinslry, "what has happened? For
| swear to you, | never aimed at you! !
fired in the air. Speak Tell him, you,
he turned with despairing appeal to
Harrison, you must have seen it all
tell him it was not me!
A hali.wondering half.incredulous
smile passed quickly over Harrison, z
face. Din course you didn't mean it,
HE said drily, "but let that slide. Get
M and get away from yer, while you
kim he added impatiently, with sig
niicent glance Mt one or two men who
fingered after the sudden and general
dispersion OF the crowd at Mchlnstry's
mll. "Get-will yem
Never" said the youngman passion
atelv, until he knows that it was not
my hand that fired that shot"
McKinstry painfully struggled to his
elbow. at took mo we're" he said
with slow deliberation MS il answering
some previous question, and pointing to
his hip, "and it kinder let me down
when | started forward at the second
call"
But it was not who did it, Mckins-
try, swear it, Hear me! For Gods
sake, say you believe me"
McKinstry turned his drowsy, troubled
eyes upon the master as il he were vague
ly recalling something.
"Stand back thar Il mint, will ye," he
said to Harrison. with n languid wave OF
his crippled hand, II want ter speak to
\ this yer man.
Harrison drew back few PAGES and
the master sought to take the wounded
mans hand, but he was stopped by q
gesture. "Wherc hev you put Cressy y
| McKinstry said slowly.
81 don't understand you" stammered
Ford. -,
"Whcre are You hidin' her from me?"
repeated Mckinstry with painful dis
tinctness. "Whar hey you run her to,
that you're reCkonin' to CINE her arter-
arter-MS" II.
a am not hiding herr am not going
TO her! do not know where she Is. |
have not seen her since we parted early
this morning without word OF meeting
again" said the master rapidly, yet
with n bewildered establishment that
was obvious even TO the dulled faculties
OF his hearer.
"That war true?" asked McKinstry,
laying his handuponthe masters should.
Grand bringing his dull eyes to the level
OF hcyoung mans.
at is the whole truth" said Ford fer
yently, "and true also that | never
raised my hand against you"
McKinstry becEoned to Harrison and
the two others who had joined him, and
then sank partly back with his hand up
on his side, where the slow empurpling
OF his red shirt showed the slight ooZe
OF deeply.seated wound.
."You lellers kin take me over to the
ranch" he said calmly, "and let him."
pointing to Ford, ,"ride your best boss
Ter the doctor. ! don't he continued in
grave explanation, CENTRALLY use doe
tor, but this yer is suthin outside the
ole woman's regular gait" He paused,
and then drawing the masters head
down towrds him, he added in his ear,
When get TO hey u look at the size
and shape o. this yer ball that's in my
hin NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. more
kant" A CLEAN OF dull significance
struggled into his eye. The master evil
IDENTIFY understood him, for he rose
.Gnicklv, ran to the horse, mounted him
ana dashed oil for medical assistance,
while MCKinstry, closing his heavy lids,
anticipated this looked for'calm by faint
ing gently away.
CHAPTER Mi.
OF the various sentimental fallacies
entertained by adult humanity in regard
to childhood, none are more ingenionsly
inaccurate and gratuitously idiotic than
4 comfortable belief in its profound ig-
norance of the events in which it daily
moves and the motives and characters
OF the people who surround it. Yet even
the occasional revelations OF an eldnt
terrible are as nothing compared to the
purilous secrets which discreet infant
daily buttons Up, or secures with hook.
,,, 4 ,,,, ~ nvnu instpnR with IL safety |