The Iola register., 1889-11-08

companions and reported progress; and
the fun they were all going to have was
discounted" by laughing over it in ad.
vance. 1t was settled that the whole
crowd should be on hand-all but Guy
and Seth keeping out of sight. but near
enough to hear and see every thing.
What's this?" exclaimed Guy, his
eye glancing over note placed in hi.
hand He read:
Having an intimation that suspicious are
afloat, and not being able TO find you at the mo-
ment have taken in your place Stephe BlIth.
ers, through whom have arranged to have the
affair to come OF an hour sooner Ishall be on,
and probably all will be over before this reaches
you. II We never meet again, farewell"
"Confound the fool!' broke out Guy,
snatching up his hat.
'Confound the pair of them!" joined
in Seth. when he had torn open and
read another note. of which he was the
recipient Here's that donkey Hiram
gone off with that poke of Tom
Strait, who has no more idea of joke
than the late Euclid had"
.'Therell be murder done-thats s
ALL" lugubriously whined the timid
young man.
With one accord, in the faint hope
that they might yet be in time to pre-
vent the dire consequences OF their
folly, they sailed forth like flock of
frightened sheep, Guy Riggs taking the
lead as bell-wether.
Putting and painting. they came
in sight of the place. Thank Heaven.
they were not too late! The combat
ants stood in their places, pistols in
| hand.
Hold! hold! for Heavens sakem
shouted Guy.
Hold on. sayr' beloved Seth Nor
ton; '.its all blamed hoa-"
But before the word was uttered, Blith-
ers waved his handkerchief. and both
pistols went off together.
Hiram remained standing, but poor
George fell heavily to the ground.
The two seconds were STOPPING over
him when Guy and his companions
reached the spot
Poor fellow! It's all over with
him." said Blithers, in the solemn tone
he was accustomed to use in addressing
his class "shot through the lungs, and
bleeding inwardly."
He must be got to his room without
delay. and a doctor summoned" said
Tom Strait.
The wounded man, who seemed in
sensible to what was passing, was gently
raised up and placed m a carriage in
waiting. which was driven of. Blithers
accompanying his unfortunate friend,
whom he tenderly supported in his
arms.
..And now, gentlemen" said Tom
Strait Its my opinion the sooner we
get away from here the better The
authorities will be here in a trice. and
every man on the ground will be ar
rested; and" shaking his head. Il need
hardly say it's bad piece of bus
mess"
For Sunday-school teacher to be
engaged in." was the retort on the top
of more than one tongue; but Guy and
his companions felt that they were most
of all guilty, and were silent
.'Of course, my friend and myself
must leave the country at once" Tom
proceeded; ''but some of you must
break the news to poor Katie King
without delay. 1t would quite kill her
if she heard it without preparation.
Hiram West stood like one Mortified
at deed the enormity of which he had
been unable to realize till after he had
committed it. When his friends took
him by the arm, he suffered himself to
be led away. whittier he seemed neither
to know nor care.
The others had lost no time in quit
ting the fatal spot A batch of young
Gains they felt themselves. whose
brothers blood, while they remained
there, kept crying against them from
the ground.
The task of breaking the news to
Katie was voted to Guy Riggs. He
would gladly have shirked it; but he
was most to blame. the others said, and
it was his duty. and couldn't deny it.
Though Katie was somewhat of a
coquette, and, from time to time. had
encouraged, more or less, the advances
of both George and Hiram, it was COM
monty understood that the former was
her favorite. and Guys heart sank as
he came into her cheerful presence, the
conscious bearer of so fearful tidings.
why. what's the matter, Mr..
Riggs" said Kate, after glance at his
face. You look as doleful as paid
mourner at a funeral"
The word made him start
IL" he stammered.
what?n asked Kate.
IL have sad news to tell"
Tell it. then; it'll not improve by
keeping"
He could not accuse her of levity, |
though her words sounded like it, for |
she was yet in ignorance of the sor-
rowful truth.
George Wells" he began again.
"WelI. what of him.
He has met with a serious acci- |
dent"
Kate covered her face with her
hands, and seemed convulsed with emo
ticn.
Hes mortally wounded!' Guy blurt-
ed out.
I.ate became still more convulsed,
but it was with laughter. which she