The golden rule. [volume] (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1898-19??, 1899-01-14

this narrative. But Grim knew then
that he was only common human
man, like the being before him, whom
he had kicked. He saw in the faded
twilight private in the regular army
who in the presence of other men was
his slave: but, who alone, in the FOOT
hills of Arizona, was cool, deter
mined, smiling foe. He saw before
him the handsome Charlie Howard, !
who was loved by woman he loved.
He saw the reckless light IN Howard
ewes which boded no good. And IN
spite Of all these things, LieutenanY
Mat Grim was game.
The moon was looking over old
Baldy's icy crown now and the grea9
dome above and the sand below were
filed with its whitenesss.
''You acted the coward once, little
officer-try to be man tonight, y
heard Lander say. SIT was imprac!
tible TO procure seconds, so you will
have to rely upon the honor OF COM
mon soldier. Perhaps you never as
sociated such sentiments with an en-
listed man. I see that you have your
six-shooter. I was too soft-hearted to
bruise you with my hands.
Grim looked at his man keenly. He
then looked over his six-shooter care
fully. He had been clever shot at
West Point.
sWho gives the signal?" he added,
clearing his throat.
"Count three in the position OF
raise pistol, :" said Lander politely,
"after which you are at liberty to fire
as soon as you please"
Crims tall gelding browsed uneasily
and whinnied. He wanted to get back
to the hay on the picket line, but he
was a trained cavalry horse and did
not think of trotting off alone. l
watched, not knowing what else to do.
Both men took position, and came
to the regulation t'raise pistol.
''Ready?" asked the lieutenant,
clearing his throat again.
GAIL ready" answered the silent
man cheerfully. The moonbeams
whitened his forehead.
"One;" said the lieutenant. Both
men were motionless.
"Two!" he screamed. His arm
dropped. There was noise and an
, empty shell in his six-shooter. The
lieutenant had forgotten to say
"Three."
Lander was dying in the moonlight
. and there was no empty shell in hi
4 Dix -shooterl Mat Grim, his super
!. ior office, AN ~ MS ifoxs ..9-44t
affrighted, and galloped away.
go and tell her, old chap" Ian
: der whispered, "that Charlie Howar,
: was afraid TO meet her tonight, Tel
= : her that his memory is far worthie
: shrine for her worship than-a com
mon cavalryman. Tell her that | wa
! deserter, because old man, l think
I. lot Of the little witch. : You needn
y tell her that Grim is q coward-Jui
say he is good shot"
And when there were no more wore
= I hurried away to the village to kee
Lander's engagement. She was thel
ic Ia little thing-pretty and tremblin!
to There was lace handkerchief in h'
( hand and soft perfume about her.
II [ told her what Lander had sait
in She did not CRY, but clutched my ar
y, with fierce strength.
> s0Take me to him." she demanded
| led the way back over the rollir
road, and when we neared the sp'
en- where had left my silent friend
IN the moonlight, 1 heard long, To-
a. mournful howl, the answer minglC
=. with the echo.
" ''Let us hurry-faster!" I said.
~ There was no change. Lieutena
90 Mat Grim had not returned. The VOL
~ an picked up the pistol which h
ng fallen by the silent mans side, Al
y threw open the cylinder with the ca
- of a veteran. Six loaded cartrldG
y fell into her hand.
tYou saw it alp" she question
ne 1s slowly. "And he was your friend?"
W / bowed.
M sThen YOU will kill the coward
at- your friends sake!' She spoke
words altogether too loudly.
eP "He is my superior officer, madam
;, E" whispered.
"Leave me now," she commands
IN "But, madame" / objected,
an must walk with you back to the Y
), age"
:" mo, no! Leave me. have thi
for She was replacing the cartridges i
Id the cylinder.
the AS stood watching her, buglel
vas the camp mile away played the
+ar call soldier hears at night
bis mournful, melancholy taps. An
nm. looked down upon my friend, the
lent man-they wouldsound taps
oi+ him o-morrow-and forgot th'
+ was only private in the regular ar
tbe "Leave me now," she repeated.
! And when 1 had gone a few pac'
lod turned. She was bending low
of The moon was high above old Be
ion now, and his whiteness was upon
vii. upturned face Of the silent man.
Lieutenant Mat Grim called for
s;do horse the next morning, when a gu
Int brt told him that the bodies of Pri'
+od Lander and a white woman had b
ared i found out in the chaparral. .-Det
that Free Press. @
+hn ttT DON'T understand things -