Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-08-21


mence firing, so be prepared and do not
attempt treachery, for the men here
know how to punish it.
Ii they did you would have been
dead long ago; but have no fears, i am
not cowardly sneak" and he cast a
look at Handsome Cleve that said as
plainly as woiss, IF am not, you are. !"
Cleve bit his lip with anger as he strobe
toward the post he had designated.
Reaching it, he whirled about, revolver
IN hand, and almost instantly two re-
ports rang out. Lester fell face down
ward in the street dead, with ball
through his brain, while Cleve. without
deigning to look at his fellow adversary
walked coolly back into the saloon aud
resumed his place at the gaming table.
Testers body was picked up and car
ried into an adjoining building. on the
morrow to be started on its journey to
his old home, to bring grief and sorrow
to loving ones there.
One year rolled swiftly by, and
Handsome Cleve's gambling den is run
ming on, just as Of yore.
He is at the table tonight, as polite,
suave and murderous as ever. He has
added two victims to his list since Les
ter fell before him, and he is more
feared than ever by those with whom
he comes in contact. The usual mis-
cellaneous crowd surround the table,
and many of them are betting freely, in
a vain effort to break the bank.
Among them is seated quiet we'll
dressed stranger. He is of slight
stature, with small, regular features
and face rs smoothe as a girls. He
bets coolly and steadily, and his eyes
never wander from the dealers hands.
He starts TO his feet as large sum he
has just bet is raked across the table
and disappears in the gamblers ever
ready drawer.
His eyes fash fire as he says: "That
was not done fair. You are cheat
and a scoundrel."
"You liei1 roared Cleye, and his ever
ready gun flashed in the lamplight, but
for once he was too slow, and the
stranger had him covered before he
could raise his weapon.
There was q scattering from about
the table, and the two soon had little
space clear to themselves.
"Put up that weaponl" demanded the
stranger sternly.
Handsome Cleve hesitated. 1t was
something he had never been compelled
to do before, and now he almost deter.
mined to run the risk of instant death
to overcome his enemy.
PUT it upl Quick, or you are dead
manp shouted the stranger as he
noticed Cleve's hesitation.
Slowly the weapon was returned to
its holster, and Cleve remarked: you
have the drop, and I've got to do as
you say"
Without noticing this remark the
stranger thus addressed him: u
suppose / have insulted you by
what l have said, if such a
thing is possible with a man of your
stamp. Come outside and we will set
tie it. Let one of these men step of
twenty yards and / will give you a
show for your miserable life, though
you don't deserve it.
"Thank you for your kindness, re-
piled Cleve, whose spirits readily rose
with the prospect of fight before him.
They were soon outside, where one OF
the crowd obligingly stepped off the dis
lance and the two men took their posi-
tions.
They were to hold their pistols ready
by heir side and at the word fire they
were to commence shooting and con.
tinue till one or both were killed, fol
duels in those days on the border were
usually fought to the death.
Few present believed but what tbs
stranger would meet the fate OF all
Others who had stood before the weapon
of Handsome Cleve, and that he with
his usual good fortune would escape
unframed.
"Fire!" cried the man, who was to
give the word
Two hands flew up, and two shots
rang out simultaneously, and as the
smoke drifted up both principals were
seen to pitch forward to the ground.
Men fastened to their assistance, but
Handsome Cleve was dead before they
reached him. He was shot through the
brain, inst as Lester had been.
The stranger was shot in the breast,
and Law with closed eyes, breathing
feeblv.
One of the men stopped down and
loosened his clothing at the throat to
permit him to breathe more freely.
As he did so he started back with an
exclamation of surprise, Good God
BOYS, its womanP
The stranger heard him and slowly
opened her eyes and said: "Yes, an
a woman and 1 am dying; but tell me i
he is dead ?"
"He is, replied several of the men il
breath.
"Then my life is not sacrificed IL
vain. He killed my betrothed, Henry
Lester, and broke my heart vowed
vengeance on his slayer, and now thai
my VOW is fulfilled l am content tt
die"
She lay for moment quite still anc
then suddenly stretching out her hands
and starting partly up, she cried
Henry, 1 GOMEZ and sank back. She
was at rest at last.
watch in a shirt Stud.