The morning call., 1890-09-06

elderly gentleman, a Mr.. Martin, who re-
sided in the neighborh0od. The greater part
of his life had been spent in Australia, where
he had worked an extensive sheep station;
but want of success or some other unknown
reason made him sell out and return to his
native country. Here he rented large tracts
of land for grazing purposes. His sheep
"runs" extended upward of dozen miles
and he had also several magnificent herds OF
cattle.
He was generally looked upon as a quiet,
unassumng old gentleman who had never
interfered in other peoples business. In
fact his one aim and object in life seemed TO
be the welfare of his flocks and herds; but
in the present instance, having learnt some
particulars regarding the late tragedy, he
determined if possible to prevent repetition
of the sad event. With this OBJECT IN view
he called upon Captain Fenton.
Though he had turned threeseore years
Mr.. Martin was still hale and hearty. Like
the patriarch of old. his eye was not Jim
nor natural force abated. "A Deara OF
snowy whiteness descended from his
| weather beaten countenance HIS veneer
able appearance would, in all probability,
have given considerable weight to his areu-
mepts had he to deal with one who re-
! spected gray hairs. But as 1t was, captain
| Fenton listened TO him with lll-coneealed
| contempt In answer to the old man re-
monstrances regarding the result OF the re-
cent duel, his reply invariably was that III
! served the young cub rlght: ,..,.
| Mr. Martin entreated him to relinquiSh
! his intention of fighting the surviving
/ brother The inteTcession was so persistent
/ that as might have been anticipated, the
/ Captlin lost his temper. Turning upon MS
visitor, he abruptly ordered him to leave
| the house. adding an offensive expression TO
/ the effect that she would not allow an old
J bullock-dr TO interfere III MS 'ldlS VI
"Sir." returned Mr.. Martin, quietly, you
no; .;ft seems So, replied the Captain, taunt-
5And." continued the old man, in the
/ same calm tones, Il demand immediate sat
! isfactiOn.
with all my heart" responded Captain
/ FentGN, laughing loudly at the abSurdlty OF
the idea.
| such ungentlemanly conduct, said Mr..
Martin, Il msiS; that my claim shall have
preference over all other engagements"
"Oh, certainly replied the CAPTAIN, with
! mock gravity. Tomorrow morning, II you
/ wish it, | am engaged to meet tile young
/ fellow in whom you take such vast amount
/ OF interest in the corner of the big meadow
! at 5 o'clock. Be there a little before that
/ hour But don't lie late. for want to dis
/ pose of both atlalIS and return mere III Tine
for breakfast"
/ Il shall be punctuaI," returned the old
/ gentleman and without saying more lie left
/ the house.
/ He was as good as his word. At half past
/ in tie morning he was on the ground at
/ tended by his second. Captain Fenton soon
/ arrived and later on the party was joined by
/ the brother Of tie deceased subaltern, with
I whom was one Uf the officers from the bar
| racks.
! which the Young man fixed upon Captain
! Fentom. Not once during the PREPARATIONS
/ did his eyes wander from his brother 5 STAY
er. While the pistols were being loaded
/ Mr.. Martins second whispered to him:
Don't lose moment when the signal IS
| given Aim low; it is your only chance.
"Non replied the old man, loudly; Il
shall strike him full in the head.
1t is not known whether this speech
/ reached his opponents ears, and IN some
/ measure diScOucertCd him. 1t is believed
that the steady gaze Of the young man, who
thirsted to avenge his brothers deah, was
I not without effect. Certain 1t IS that Cap
tain Fenton did not take his place with his
, customary assurance.
The men were osted. The rest retired to
a suitable distance leaving the cOnlbatantS
steadily gazing at each other. A minute OF
terrible SUSPENSE followed, during which
biiei space the silence OF death reigned over
the spot. Then the signal was given, and
T almost inStautlne the two reports were
heard. For few seconds the smoke pre-
vented the spectators from asceTtaining the
I result, but as 1t slowly rose they saw d
/ Mr.. Martin standing erect and hrm, While
Captain Fenton was stretched full length
upon the ground.
Both the seconds fastened toward their
I principals. The two men from the barracks
/ also ran to Mr.. Martins side, and eagerly
/ inquired if he was hurt. They found the
/ old gentleman bleeding slightly at the neck,
but lie carelessly brushed the blood away
with the back OF his hand. Then turning
with kindly manner toward the youth he
/ had risked his life to save, he said, simply:
Il don't think / had any other way OF pre-
venting this poor boy from sharing the fate
/ of his brother
Captain Fenton's second now advanced
and announced that his man was dead. The
bullet had penetrated the left temple. He
requested their assistance in removing The
BODY. This they readily granted, but Mr..
Martin and his young friend held alOOf. As
the others raised the dead man they noticed
peculiar hardness and stiffness about the
body. On tearing open the garments OF the
deceased, cry Of horror and rage broke
from them. They found concealed beneath
his clothing tight-fitting coat OF mail.
The cause OF his having escaped uninJured
in so many duels was now fully explained
He had evidently provided himself with this
defense from the old armory which his man
sion contained. Though. doubtless, not per-
fectly bullet-pr0of, vet in nine cases ont of
ten a ball was almost sure TO glance of the
network OF steel