The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-26
ond But 1t is a bitter and black business.
and wish were out Of It."
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and wish were out Of It."
What 10 the matteri"
II suppose you understand no Is tho In
suited party and has choice of weapons?"
"Yes, what of that"
well, he Is bloodthirsty, and this IS to
DO "a duel to the death. protested against
the dastardly business, but there is no
choice. You must go on or APOLOGIZE and
warn you he will take nothing less than an
abjcct apology" And Goreiy hid his faco
In his hands, and, us thought, groancd.
You have no need 70 fear" said calm
~, though my hair felt us if 1t were rising,
II shall not apologize"
What weapons do you think the doc
tor has chosenf'
"Pistols."
"No, pillsl"
"PnlsS Is this fresh insultf"
II wish 1t were. Two pills are being
prepared exactly alike, one harmless, tho
other of strychnine. You are to take one,
Mullens the other.''
Isis this allowablet I stammercd.
almost sick with horror.
ut is The whole mess has been con.
suited, and Gregory has oven been to
Brookes' to SEQ Sir James Ington who is,
as you know, the first authoffty on the
duello. He says 1t is vindictive, but per-
fecty lawful 1 think. Molever, I should
apologize.
"Never, nevcrl" cried, while nature
fought against the words. 1t was horri.
BILE rs thought OF oil, for did not doubt
that should be the victim
AT Gorcly's suggestion made my will
but with such a trembling hand that am
afraid 1t would have puzzled an expert to
decipher 1t. Next l wrote a note to Ger
aldine, to be delivered In case of my DEATH
telling her In high flown language that 1
died to save her name from insult.
Gorcly advised me to sleep. 1 could
more easily have flown. All through that
wretchcd night was pacing YEARLY up
and down, cursing myself for my folly and
vowing, IL came scatheless through tho
affair would be less arrogant.
AT Gorcly called me- took q cup of
coffee with brandy but it did little for
me. The field of honor was to be tho mess
room, and thithcr we went. 1t was but u
few yards, but had the greatest difficult
ty in walking there.
The room struck chill to my hoart
All the blinds were drawn, and there were
only two solitary candles to light the vast
room, which looked funcrcal. All the
mess wero assembled, DIR. Mullcns look
ing quito rs perky and cheerful as usual
He gravcly salutcd me, and then we all
sat down Mt the table, the doctor opposite
me. was glad we We're seated us my
trembling legs were under the table and
could not be seen. | was shown the pills
To all appearance they were exactly SINH.
lar.
You arc to have first choice Molcvcr,"
said Major Gregory ''nnd tho doctor will
take the other" 1 buwed Nj throat was
SO dry that could not speak
The pillboN was placed before me. My
fingers trcmblcd 50 much that l suppose
1t WAS quite u minute before could FUN
bic one out. Then tho box was passed to
the doctor, and he took the other
Nov" said the major, both of you
place them in your mouth and swallow
them when I give the word"
L got minc III my mouth, and, with a
great effort, 1 got it down. Swear on
your honor you have swallowed them"
said Gregory. ~ swear have swallowed
It,, l almost shrickcd, for that pill burned
my throat and gullct as it won't down. A
glass of wine was handed to each of us,
and then Mullcns rose.
"Molevcr," he said, II nm truly sorry
the luck is against you. 1 know from the
tasto of my pill 1t is the harmless one.
should like to have your pardon while
there is time. Let US shake hands.
But shake hands I could not. While
he was speaking the agony began My
throat was burning, and could trace the
passage of the pill by n track of fire.
There ...'"re awful pains in my stomach,
and could feel the poison was running
with my blood over my body. My brain
was on fire. l could not SEQ. fell from
my chair and rolled in agony. Saver me,
save me! O-h-hl" 1 groancd as writhcd
and rolled on the floor. Since then have
seen war in all parts of the world and
been wounded three times, but the pain
nOthinO n what fn1t 7
not see my comrades to distinguish them,
only | know they We're standing round
watching my death struggles.
Good heavens, Is it q mistake, Null
lensE heard some one ask, and Mullcns
answered, "Of course not. 1t is just what
told you 1t would be Fetch my stomach
pump, Fletcher. and be quick about It, i"
And then he knelt by my side. Poor fcl.
low. does il hurt so very much?"
am dying-dying-dyi and my
voice rose in II Shrek, and l writhed and
rolled again.
The doctor knelt and felt my pulse, and
his face became very grave. Then he
rose and whispered something to the 9th.
ers. Instantly there was II great shout OF
laughter that came peal on peal for about
three minutes.
Dying as I was, raised myself on my
elbow TO look Mt the inhuman wretches
who could look on and laugh while a com.
radc lay dying in agony. That look,
thought, would haunt them throughout
their lives But there came louder laugh
than over
by ,Jovc, Mullcns, couldn't have be.
licycd it, although you were SO confident"
said Gregory. The best thing 1 ever saw.
Ha, ha, ha!'' and the whole room roarcd
again.
Get up, for goodness sake, " said Gore.
ly to me- GIVE heard of bread pills he.