The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1894-12-15

the nrSt p at dnu niS ulLu
was markedly bad-although the knives
always went wide Of the mark rather
than too neal to 1t. He even omitted
his finel trick altogether, and there
was but little applause when he stepped
up to take my place at the board. And
I, while l felt easily able to vindicate
our reputation. vet had a queer, giddy
sensation for which I could not ac-
count. The lights danced; the faces
were blurred. Perhaps it was that,
having my eyes fixed on Jim as l toed
the mark, l saw that he wore those
red berries in his vest as if In defiance.
1 threw carefully, and threw well.
I can remember that shout after shout
went up as, after fixing a narrow and
exact circle of. the knives about Jim's
head, like a steel halo, I went on and
planted Il blade between every finger
Of his outstretched hands. He stood
very still that last night, and / thought
/ could tell how he overcame his nerv-
when, happening to look be-
hind, I saw Lottie Somerset standing
at that side door. Her hands were
clasped; she appeared to be in sus-
pense. And, at that irritating sight,
a wicked inspiration floated into me.
l had three knives left, and Jim-Jim
stood there, his white throat so clear!
To check 1t I did not try, but took a
step or two forward, Is though cal
culating for my aim.
"Jim," l called, so that he and no one
else could hear. l had one of the knives
in my hand. 'Jim! 1t can't go on
longer. Quick!-is she to be yours or
mine?"
He seemed to grasp the situation, as
I meant he should. His lips moved,
and I caught q faint Maxi" At that
dreadful moment he looked. like some
martyr about to die for his faith-but,
doubtless, it was my conscience sug-
gested that. He could not well escape,
for his waist was strapped to the board.
Perhaps, too, my look paralyZed him.
I felt desperate enough, knowing, DULY,
that I contemplated risking life here
and soul hereafter out Of love for a
woman who would never call me hus-
band. Just a second more I hesitated.
Then that vile inner voice whispered
''Throw!'
And I threw-for a spot just above
those scarlet berries on his breast;
threw with unnaturally steady aim, !
thought, and saw the blade culver in
in jim! 80. Then God was merciful
enough to encompass my faculties witt
an utter darkness.
"
When it partly lifted the arena and
the ring Of faces had gone. l was 1y-
ing on the bed in our own And
dreaming. surely, for there vas a man
Mt the foot Of the bed, and when he
raised his face, it seemed as though I
was looking at my brother Jim. He
moved. 1t was Jim's voice that spoke.
And, oh, his eyes:
"Max-coward!" came the two hol-
low syllables.
My own tongue was stiff. If I an
swered, it was With a look only. Truly
! believed that inns ghost had come to
mo. [
The same hollow voice sounded
azain. 49,
ssYoa need not speak; you need not
be afraid. ! Know everything. 1 only
waited 10 lhe-sure that you should know
sthas. I've solved your problem. Two
brothers loved the same woman: N
more than his own life; but the other
more than his immortal soul, it seems.
Ergo, he must have her, because his
love isis the stronger. That's it, but
there's q condition"
/ had no fear yet; only vague awe at
the intense realism Of the dream in
which this curly-headed man put a
hand to his forehead. just as dead Jim
used sometimes to do.
There's IL condition. I'll leave the
way clear for you, but if you marry
Lottie'-he whispered impressively as
he bent Overland then discover that
your love was mere worthless passion;
why. then I shall, come back and take
the revenge ! might have now. ! mean,
Max I shall have the right then to win
her away from you, as l think / could
have done a week ago"
"A week ago" he said. Had that
oblivion of mind lasted a week?
Turning away, he went IN: That's
all, don't hesitate Oh my account. She
does not know-at least not what you
and I know; she thinks you are dying
Of love for her; as. Of course, you are;
and l haye-I mean. you have told her
ing my look; ''she has been, here; she
viii be here again, when she gets this
letter. Goodbye. Max"
He moved to the door, resolutely,
and then for the first time I seemed to
realize that it was something more
than a dream. I threw out my hands
and called weakly after him: Jim
one word! Jim!"
For answer I heard his footsteps on
the stairs. He was gone. And then
that darkness came upon me more
black than ever.
/ know now that the strange fever
lasted altogether about three weeks.
and that it was really Lottie who. find
ing me stricken and without a friend
in the world threw of her wOmanly
reserve. and acted the unselfish part
which SO many noble women before
now have filed. To her care, indeed,
I owe my recovery, and I cannot but
think that 1t was that time Of helpless.
ness which endeared me to her. In the
sensible intervals Of the delerium I
always seemed to see her fearful face
lowering over me; and once I heard
her whispering. over and ver again,
as she knelt' God, only give him back
his life! I'll be a better wOma and
he shall be q better mani" d,
| She will never. rightly know how
far Jim had acted the martyr. That
lies between him and me, because in
the telling Of 1t I might lose her prec-
ious respect. My knife had wounded
Jim, but only slightly, It was said. He
explained it by saying that the incipi.
emit fever had unnerved my arm. Ar
for the letter, he had hidden her des.
troy it. I only guess that Its effect
was TO bring her to my bedside In q at
| Of compassion.
Five years have gone, and never
! since have we had word OF Jim. Once,
indeed. / believe ] saw his face, but
| cannot be certain.