The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-09

but 10 Is not mortal one, surelyW
Breathless, painting, the questioner stood
and two surgeons surrounding the PROSTATE
figure.
No one answer ed him.
And In this silence even Of his friends
and seconds he understood their condem-
nation of his deed.
II beseech you, answer me. He will not
dieln
Still no ans wer.
And he remembered now he had buried
his sword up to the hiIt in the breast of his
adversary. Still, the point might have
glanced OF against u bone, and this thought
gave him hope for q moment. 1t was only
for a moment, however. No one noticed
him; their looks, their whole attention.
were fastened on the one who lay there on
the ground, with closed eyelids and arms
stretched rigidly out on each side of him.
Then one of the surgeons said solemnly.
Dead" and the group fell back somewhat.
He was pushed backward by the move
ment.
Repeating the word. ''Dead deadp' with
a cry resembling that Of q hurt wild beast
he turned and fled.
Running blindly his forehead came IN
violent contact with the trunk of a tree.
he staggered and fell back one moment;
tine next he had fled through the gate his
dripping sword still held in his hand, leav-
ing the garden gay with blossoming roses
behind him.
The road led along the river bank. He
ran on blindly, looking neither TO the right
nor left. What had he done with his swordl
he asked himself suddenly. Thrown it into
the river, perhaps, or into the bushes grows
ing by the wsyside.
brain, to fee from the spot where he had
just slain a mana fellow creature
HIS strength giving way presently, be
fell in heap on the road, aud lay there
with his face in the dust He whom he
had just slain had been his best friend for
years.
They had been born and played as chill
dren in the same old sleepy provincial
town As young men, they had been stu
dents at college together Later on, COM
ing to Paris IN search of career, they had
shared the same apartment, they had been
quite inseparable, having the same amuse.
ments, the same occupations
Then she had come into his life. He had
loved her from the very first moment he
beheld her.
She was poor, but beautiful and charm
ing.
They we're married, and for long time
the young husband had been blessed, as he
supposed, with q wife loving and beloved,
and friend true as steel.
Then came the terrible revelation OF his
friends treRchery and his wife's unfaithful-
ness.
In that hour his first thoughts had been
of revenge, of revenge on the friend who
had deceived and betrayed him. He won
dered now, half idly, that he had not then
felt more indignation toward his wife. He
had loved her 30 devotedly, however, that
the love in his heart was long In making
way for hate. He pitied her. She was
weak, variable, as are all women, he told
himself
But as for him. the traitor, vengeance
should fall on him.
the meeting, he had gloAted over the
thought of how he would drive his sword
into the traitors heart.
When they we're face to face upon the
ground he felt his weapon tremble in his
hand, not with fear, but with rage.
All he had learned of the science Of feno-
ing he had quite forgotten; he would have
liked to throw his weapon aside to spring
instead upon his adversary aud throttle the
life out OF him with his bare hands.
With q cry of hate he had rushed upon his
enemy, burying his sword in the others
breast 1t had all been done in a minute-a
moment, rather. And now the taste Of re-
venge was already bitter in his mouth. He
had taken life-the life of his dearest friend.
Back in that gay garden yonder lay
bleeding, distorted corpse-the corpse of
his companion since infancy. He forgot
his provocation. He remembered nothing
but that the dead man had been his friend,
And then the tears came in great flood.
AS he lay weeping in the dust a voice
spoke TO him, causing him to raise his
head.
1t was his wife who stood there in the
road before him. His wife, clad In silk and
a -
above her head.
'Ah, merolful God! is it you--is it your"
she gasped.
He made no answer, but covered up his
eyes with both hands.
She dropped down on her knees ct his
side.
"Ah, besssch you speak to me. What
has happenedl You do not move. You are
woundedp
II am not wounded, )" he answered, "but
"HeY
"Is dead" he murmured, under his
reath.
She threw her arms around him, and
kissed him in spite Of his effots to prevent
her.
II love youl love you'll love you~ she
cried again and again.
Still no answer from him. She went on :
IF you think care that he is dead you are
quite mistaken. He was a villain who
tempted me. 1 never loved him. Never,
never, never. Do you UNDERESTIMATE But
was weak and vain and you were often
away from me. Then he came-the SER
pent-the traitor lost my head, perhaps,
but my heart, never. That was yours
always. Come let us go home and forget
what has passed. Have not told you l
love your
But he made no movement to arise and
follow her.
"Ah. comen she entreated, pressing her
red lips to his again and again.
He spoke at last, absently as though
speaking in his sleep.
Very well, will go, But not In the
carriage. We can walk there together"
LAS you choose" she answered, Laughing.
"I,et us walk" and thrusting her arm
through his she continued. land now tell
me ali about the duel as We walk. Did you
kill him with a blowl He died like COW.
ard. am sure. be is not brave like you.
Bus what is the matteTI Why do you not
answer my qusstionsl 1t is very natural,
is il not. that should want to know allp
Eyes" he muttered between his clinohed
teeth, quite natural"
By this time they we're on bridge which
spanned the stream.
"IIoohl' he exclaimed suddenly, there
to the left behind the belt Of poplars; yon-
der is the garden where we fought. Do
you see the red brick house with the two