The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1888-06-15

over his passion for drink, why. you
can let him continue to visit us; but
remember, ! can be only a sister to
him, for my heart is another's." And
before Mrs. Lathrop had time to re.
ply, Helene had left the room.
III.
Day was just dawning when Hamp
Harper and Adolph Cumming took
their seats on an overhanging craig
on the top Of Lone mountain. Hamp
and his second had come, according
TO the agreement, to meet an adver-
sary in what he trusted would be a
harmless conflict; for in his heart he
! did not wish to kill James Bancroft,
and on the other hand, he did not
want to be killed. He had hopes even
now, that an amicable agreement
| could be reached, and he had resolved
upon q course in that direction. The
first crimson streaks of the rising sun
could be seen in the east when Adolph
said:
"Isn't it about time for him to put
in an appearance
Eyes, for it is only a few moments
until sunrise now" answered Hamp.
Suppose / discharge my pistol,
and see il we can hear from him?"
suggested Adolph.
"As you please" Hamp replied.
Acting upon this, Adolph discharg.
ed the weapon in the air, and stimuli
~taneously almost it was answered by
a similar report from somewhere
down the mountain.
GdThau apa oAp,fn1 gAAbo hNfh
men in the same breath, and it was
even so, for just as the sun rose from
behind the eastern horizon, James
Bancroft, accompanied by a villain.
Gus looking fellow, rounded the craig
upon which Harper and Cumming
were sitting.
To Ramps pleasant GOOD morn.
ing, gentlemen" James Bancroft re-
piled:
sit will be a bad morning for Of
us, Hamp Harper. If it be me, all
right; if you, then may your bones
never grow blacker."
''IS there no other way to settle this
affair, Mr.. Bancroft" ventured
Hamp, determined to carry out his
resolve in trying to bring about a re-
Cancellation without resorting to the
use of arms.
None whatever, SIR answered
Bancroft, with a contemptuous smile,
evidently mislnterprsting Ramps
incoming in asking the question.
Then you are resolved upon this
duel2''
Eyes, sir; nothing short Of that will
satisfy me-"
"Mr. Cumming" said Hamp, twill
you please step of twenty paces?"
That gentleman immediately meas-
ured the distance.
Hamp then stepped up to Bancroft,
and extending his hand, said:
"Mr. Bancroft, | wish you WE'LL"
Bancroft started perceptibly at this,
and muttered something under his
breath.
Gentlemen" said Mr.. Cumming,
II will count three; at one you raise
your weapons, at two you take aim,
and at three you frel Do you under
stand the arrangement"
Both nodded afirmatiyely..
Bancroft's second was standing at
q safe distance, trembling like IN as
pen.
A deathly stiffness prevailed the
whole mountain. The stiffness was
painful. Cumming took his stand
midway between the duelists and in a
steady, ringing voice, said:
Gentleman, take your stands"
They both took their places.
A moment more of silence, and
Cumming said, with slow. steady ac-
cents:
"Onel''
'.Twol"
.Threel''
There was a report as il one weapon
had been discharged, but both men
fell, Bancroft falling heavily as If he
had been killed instantly, while Hamp
Harper tottereG, grasped at a limb
for support, and sank gradually to
the ground.
Cumming hurried over TO Hamp to
ascertain the extent Of his hurt.
$50 to Bancroft" said Hamp
quickly, sshe is badly hurt. ! think
Upon examination it was found to
be as Hamp had surmlsed. The ball
had entered just below tEe left eye
and came out behind the right ear.
Looking around be called Bancroft's
second, but he was nowhere to be
seen. A thorongh search failed to re-
veal him. He had gone Immediately
after the duelists had taken their
stands, and was then perhaps a mile
from the dueling ground.
II am mortally wounded said
Bancroft feebly. $50 for Helene inn
mediately; Iwant to see her once
more before / die"
"But / can't leave you here by
yourself, said Cumming.
my second, where Is he2'
Gene" replied Cumming. The left
directly before the duel"
"The coward"
Gone and assist me to rise, Cum
ing," said Hamp. "Tm able to wait
on Bancroft; I'm only shot through
the arm"
After getting him on his feet be APP
penred to be all right, with the exc
ception Of bis right arm, which hung
limp By his side.
True TO his word, Hamp proceeded
TO attend on Bancroft, getting him aa
comfortable as possible by putting
his head on bis coat. which he pulled
of and folded up for him to use for 4