The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-09

Yawn. He approached John Shelly and
stood before him.
Behold Yawn. That name will never
die before that of Shelly"
| In an instant all laughter was hushed.
With breathess interest 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 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 place to place, until
on this fatal Christmas eve he had landed
at his boyhood home worn and weary
| traveller, only to find the sacred ties which
bound him to earth broken, and his rela-
tives 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 die!''
$50 let it BE- John Shelly, but remem-
Der l am your equal"
"Never!' Kissed Shelly through his set
teeth.
Eyes, your equall' replied the other.
Further, 1 challenge you to come with
me into the depths of the Malochitto
swamp, and at midnight let us wipe away
all enmity by blood Blood alone can
atone for the wrongs have suffered at
your handn"
For moment John Shelly was silent
Why had Yawn chosen such an unfre-
quented, lone and weird locality for the
fatal meeting? Did he mean tneacherys
"Are you a coward?" asked Yawn i'm
patiently.
mo, by heaven A Shelly never knew
fear-especially of Yawnl No! 1 will
meet you there-would meet and fight you
anywhere-on the very brink of destruc-
tionp'
so let it be. At midnight, remember"
With these words the last of the Yawns
turned away. He was followed in short
time by his mortal foe, John Shelly.
There was a buzz of excitement among
the crowd at the barroom; some advocated
following the two and being present at
their fatal meeting.
NO" said Evans, ST., cit will be of no
avail. Theirs is hatred of the deepest dye.
Blood will be spilled. Let there be none to
witness. Tomorrow we will search the
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 the
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 the
sloughs and bayous of the dismal place.
But at the hour appointed John Shelly
and William Yawn stood face to face
tiger before tiger-devil before devil.
"Well, you are here l see," said Yawn.
81 am here" replied the other.
John Shelly, this feud between our
families has been desperate one. 1t will
end tonight. Each is the last of his race.
One must die. Are you prepared2"
Il am, was the firm reply.
Then be on your guard"
Knives were drawn, their long, keen
blades shining through the Stygian black
ness of the swamp.
Clash! clash! the weapons came together
A well directed blow had been skillfully
warded off.
Clash! clash! 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; each
met skillful thrust with skillful parry.
A rumbling sound was heard afar off. 1t
was the sound of distant thunder.
Then came a flash of lightning, bright
and binding. Taking advantage of its
CLEAN, the combatants renewed their eff
forts to plunge their daggers into each
others heart. Again they failed
For another moment they fought in ut
ter darkness. Each now felt that he had
met an equal, and that false step, an I'M
wise thrust, meant death.
The flashes of lightning became more
and more frequent, and the rattle of thun-
der louder and more deafening.
An hour had passed since the fierce
struggle was begun. At last climax was
reached. In making fierce lunge at his
OPPohthOo poiy cOiih SilpptU. III
an instant the knife of his adversary was
up to the hilt in his breast His warm
blood gushed out, dyeing the hummock
upon which they fought with crimson
stain.
Gloating for an instant over his victims
fall, William Yawn turned to go. An
traordinarily bright fash of lightning
deafening peal of thunder finished the
act. Seemingly untouched, but as dead as
the man beneath him, William Yawn fell
back across the PROSTATE body of John
Shelly, and lay pale in death. The avenger
was avenged.
With the morning a party of searchers,
composed of those who had witnessed the
meeting of the night before, ventured into
the swamp in search of Yawn and Shelly.
They found them where they fell Yawn's
hands were red with his adversary's blood.
God, they say, avenged the death of
John Shelly, and retribution visited his
slayer"
The vendetta was at an end. The cur
tain had fahen upon one of the most terri
bic of southern tragedies. oseph A Par
ker in brakes Magazine.
just in the Nick of Time.
The father of the family, disturbed BY
the noise, entered suddenly:
Who is doing all this loud talking!" he
inquired
Master Tommy, who was standing on