Evening journal., 1891-08-14

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threw OF his hat, exposing to view face
clearly outlined with the features of 8
YAwn. He approached John Shelly and
stood before him
Behold Yawnl That name will never
die before that Of Shelly"
In an instant all laughter was hushed
With breAthless iAterest every one gazed
at the new conner. In every way he was
the physical equal Of young Shelly, and
his flashing eye bespoke Of courage In keep
ing with physical might. Two giants had
met upon the arena, and the struggle would
be a fierce one
William Yawn was the last of the name.
While the rebellion was at its height he
had joined the Confederate army, and at
the battle of Perryville, Ky, was captured,
and for two years confined in the northern
prison at Chase. Released from captivity,
he had drifted from plaee to place, until
on this fatal Christmas eve he had landed
at his boyhood home, a worn and weary
traveller, only to find the sacred ties which
bound him to earth broken, and his rela-
tiyes at rest beneath the pines. The last
was victim to John Shelly, and he re-
solved that the murderer should die.
Firmly imbued with this thirst for re-
venge, William Yawn had sought his enc
my at Matakka-and found him.
For moment they glared at each other
The fire Of fury flashed from their eyes.
The warmest blood Of their hearts mantled
TO their cheeks and tinged their brows
The final act was begun.
"A Yawnl BY heaven, you shall dien
80 let il be, John Shelly, but remem.
ber / am your equal"
"Neyerl" hissed Shelly through his sci
teeth.
Yes, your equalp replied the other
Further, challenge you to come with
me into the depths OF the Malochittc
swamp, and at midnight let us wipe away
all enmity by bloodl Blood alone can
atone for the wrongs l have suffered at
your handw
For moment John Shelly was silent.
Why had Yawn chosen such an unfre
quented, lone and weird locality for the
fatal meetingY DID he mean treachery?
Are you cowardg' asked Yawn i'm
patiently
mo, by heaveni A Shelly never knew
fear-especially of Yawnl mol | will
meet you there-would meet and fight you
anywhere-on the very brink of destrue
tonw
80 let it be. At midnight, remember" Z"
With these words the last of the Yawns
turned away. He was followed in a short
time by his mortal foe John Shelly.
There was buzz Of excitement among
the crowd at the barroom; some advocated
following the two and being present al
their fatal meeting.
mo- said Evans, Sr., lit will be Of nc
avail. Theirs is hatred OF the deepest dye.
Blood will be spilled. Let there be none tc
mill h.
swamp for the body Of the last of either the
Yawns or the Shellys-no one knows which
it may be-
And with that the suggestion died away
Midnight makes Malochitto Swamp thu
realm OF Erebian darkness. A dreary
steady rain had raised the waters until
none but the most experienced woodsman
could have found his way through tn,
sloughs and bayous OF the dismal place
But at the hour appointed John Shelly
and William Yawn stood face to face
tiger before tiger-deYil before devil.
We'll you are here | see, said Yawn.
II am here" replied the other.
John Shelly, this feud between oul
families has been desperate one. 1t will
end tonight. Each is the last Of his race.
One must die. Are you prepared2n
II am, = was the firm reply.
Then be on your guard"
Knives were drawn, their long keen
blades shining through the Stygian black.
uess Of the swamp.
Clash clashl the weapons came together
| a well directed blow had been skillfulll
warded Off.
Clash! clashl another blow had counted
nothing.
The combatants Closed upon each other
Their breaths came quick and short. Not
word was said. Each struck to kill; eaet
met a slsllful thrust with a skillful parry
A rumbling sound was heard afar off. Il
was the sound of a distant thunder.
Then came a flash OF lightning, bright
and binding. Taking advantage OF it
| gleam, the combatants renewed their ef
forts to plunge their daggers into eacl
others heart. Again they failed.
For another moment they fought in ut
| ter darkness. Each now felt that he has
met an equal, and that false step, an un
wise thrust, meant death.
The flashes of lightning became NOR
and more frequent, and the rattle Of thun
der louder and more deafening.
An hour had passed since the 6erc
struggle was begun. At last climax wa
reached. In making fierce lunge at hi
opponents body John Shelly slipped. 1
an instant the knife Of his adversary wa
up to the hilt in his breast. His war;
blood gushed out, dyeing the hummoc
upon which they fought with a crimso
stain.
Gloating for an instant over his victim
fall, William Yawn turned TO go. An e,
traordinarily bright fash Of lightning an
deafening peal Of thunder finished II
act. Seemingly untouched, but as dead !
the man beneath him, William Yawn fe
back across the prOstrate body Of job
Shelly, and lay pale in death. The aveng'
was avenged.
With the morning party Of searcher
composed OF those who had witnessed q
meeting Of the night before. ventured int
the swamp in search Of Yawn and Shell
They found them where they fell. Yawn
, hands were red with his adversary's bloc
God, they say, avenged the death
John Shelly, and retribution visited b
slayer
The vendetta was at an end. The Gu
. tain had fallen upon one OF the most ter
\ BILE Of southern tragedies. Joseph A. p
! ker in brakes Magazine.
Just in the Nick of Time.
: The father Of the family. disturbed
bhe noise, entered suddenly:
"Who is doing all this loud talkingi"
/, inquired.
Master Tommy, who was standing
r I the center table. took off the pair OF