Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1891-09-04

in the prime of life, the mere thought of
living has become a dread more terrify-
ing than that of death.
1T is still fresh in the mind of the pub
lie how overheard in my club the name
of my wife banded about by lecherous
scoundrel, who has already gone the
road shall travel tonight.
81 challenged him The challenge was
accepted All the details were left to L
mutual friend-a man learned in cleo
trical science-who enthusiastically pro-
posed the adoption of electricity as a
weapon | assented with indifference,
not needing theagentso that had my re-
venge, Ny antagonist agreed, prompted
by professional curiosity. For several
days the mysterious preparations went
on, and at last there came note stating
that was to call at certain house on
the outskirts of the city at midnight.
''Ou arriving at the place indicated the
scientist met me at the door and led the
way to little anteroom on the second
floor There found my antagonist. and
it was only the knowledge that but a
few minutes could elapse before we
would be engaged in mortal combat that
restrained me from throttling him where
he stood
I'VE were taken into an adjoining
room, and what | saw there filled my
soul with grim joy-the lust for muir
der. Returning again to the outer room,
we were requested to submit without
demur to any preparations necessary.
complied with alacrity, but he evidently
hesitated before answering, and noticed
with pleasure that his voice trembled
and his face paled with cowardly dread
The old electrician produced two
long. close fitting robes that enveloped
us from neck to heels, and with skillful
fingers he speedily buttoned them around
US, making the shroudhke garments
more secure by passing stout cord
about the outside in innumerable turns.
Fettered in this way we lay upon the
floor unable to move hand or foot. Sat
istied at last that the fastenings were
secure, he dragged US with infinite care
into the chamber of death
1T was a small, square room, devoid of
furniture, and but dimly lighted by a
common oil lamp suspended from the
ceiling. The floor had been waxed and
polished until it was as smooth us glass
In two corners of the room, diagnnally
opposite each other. were a couple of pc
culiar looking metal disks placed hori-
zontally on the floor, and having round,
fat knob III the center. Leading from
each were two lines of insulated wire
about six or seven yards long, ending in
shallow cups containing dampened felt
Placing us side by side, midway be-
tween the corners, the cups were fastened
to our bodies, one being placed on the
neck at the base of the brain and the
other at the extremity Of the spinal col
umn. Thus attached to our respective
disks we were told that he who first
reached his opponents corner could, by
merely placing his head On the elevated
spot, send the annihiiating current on its
deadly way.
THE old scientist, after few hurried
directions, given in a voice agitated with
strong emotion, retired to a corner,
where could see him standing in an at
titude Of rapt attention. his head bent
forward, his eyes protruding and glow
ering with a fixity of expression almost
maniacal i'll its intensity.
The room was filed with solemn
quiet, unbroken save by the low muir
muir of heavy respiration or the regular
tick of a clock, whose monotonous
rhythm sounded like the beat of a drum
to my overstrained nerves. Thus we
lay for nearly half minute, each wait.
ing for the other to make the move.
"A short reflection had shown me that
victory would come to him who showed
the greatest cunning, as the manner in
which we were tied precluded the dis
play Of brute force, and the slippery
floor offered no fulcrum wherewith to
propel ones self along.
'Slyly turned my head and saw.
close by, the livid face of my antagonist,
his deep set eyes watchful and alert.
LAS feint turned slowly over BE
did the same, Then with sudden eff
fort swung around so that my feet
struck him sharp blow in the face. 1t
aroused all the devil in his nature, and
he quickly retaliated by making des-
perate lunge at my head. His heels
few past within an inch, and the force
of the movement placed him almost be-
tween me and my corner. He was quick
to see the advantage, and started to roll
with increasing force in that direction.
Then ensued terrible race for the disk.
''Over the CLASSY floor, slipping and
sliding, with head advanced in futile en-
deavor to gain greater momentum, we
writhed and squirmed, vainly grasping
at the polished surface.
THE room revolved in a dizzy whirl,
and soon my eyes were blinded by aching
tears called forth by raging terror at
the heart-a fear that he might gain the
victory and live. With one last super
human effort threw myself across the
widening gap between us and stopped
his progress There we lay painting for
breath on the very edge of the metal
plate, but was nearest.
after what seemed an eternity of
time the strange combat recommended.
| was posted in the angle, my feet pressed
irmly against one wall and my head
against the other. 1t was a living bar
rier of resistless strength.
Suddenly felt his form against
mine, creeping cunningly closer. With
hasty jerk drew my body in, and
with shoulders pressed firmly against
the plastered sides gave one powerful
kick and sent him sliding to the center
of the room. Before he had stopped
was rolling in the direction of his corner.
with elbow and heel, invoking the aid
of every nerve and muscle, rapidly GOV
cred the intervening space, and then
found my passage barred and the goal
snatched from my eager grasp on the
threshold of victory Wild with baf11ed
rage | threw myself unOn him. and with