The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-10-13

ABOUT hve years after Hilton left us that
[ was spending some little time with
him at his home, when one day stran-
ger rode up to the veranda on which we
were seated. and, bowling, asked for
Mr.. Hilton.
i am he, said Hilton courteously,
and, taking the note which the other
handed him, he read it and passed it to
me. 1t was brief and to the point:
''Mr. Stuart Hilton:
''If you are willing to give me my revenge,
please follow the bearer and bring your pis-
tpls VIE MoYNE.
''Hilton, begging pardon for his brief
absence, stepped within the house and
almost Immediately came out with a
box, which he handed me, saying
smilingly, May I trouble you again,
Russell7' As we descended the steps to
depart Hilton's little daughter, tiny
thing of 2 or years, came running out
of the hall, calling. Papa, papar Hill
ton turned and caught her up to him !;
then. kissing her, he set her gently
down and said. wait. and papa will
be back soon.'
1.-The stranger led his horse and we fol-
lowed him. 1t was only short defiance
from the house to the woods, and be-
meath the trees we found Victor LIE
Moyne, leaning carelessly against the
saddle of his horse.
''He seemed slightly surprised to see
me, but gave me cool nod. To Hilton
he made ceremonious salute and said
sneeringly, Are you prepared to give
me my revenge, Mr.. Hiltonf'
"'It is your right, said Hilton
shortly. Let us waste no time.
But we will toss for it again. You
shall have an equal chance with me.
replied LIE Moyne.
s'The stranger who was with LIE
Moyne tossed coin and called.
cas- in the previous encounter,
won, and Hilton had the first shot.
''It was agreed that I should count
for Hilton, and at the word 'Threel'
Hilton's pistol cracked.
lie Moyne WINGED and bit his lip;
then, with a forced laugh, said, You
retain your old skill, Hilton, but have
learned to shoot with my left hand
now. And as he took the pistol his
friend held out could see by the way
his right arm hung that it was broken.
''Hilton stood firm in his place, with
his head thrown back. awaiting almost
certain death. but with no sign of fea1
on his face.
ALREADY LIE Moyne's second had
clamation which was forced from me
caused all to look, and there. about sc
yards away, stood Hilton's little daugh-
ter, horror stricken. facing huge snake
l-the deadly cotton mouth of the south.
'sHilton made one move and ther
Strengthened back as he caught L.
Moyne's sneering look.
"For an instant look of awful agony
crossed his face. His child might die {
horrible death, but honor bound III
there.
''Slowly LIE Moyne raised his pistol
His second counted, 'One. two, threel
With the last word, like a flash, Ii
Moyne whirled toward the little girl
and without seconds pause fired, ant
we saw the snakes head fly ten fee
from it's body, while its harmless coil
writhed at the feet of the child.
Before we could make a move L,
Moyne flung his pistol at my feet ani
without word sprang on his horse
and. followed by his friend. was out O
sight in moment. F"
sAnd did you never see him again 2
asked one, as the colonel paused.
.sOnce," said the colonel quietly
"After the battle of Gettysburg wen
over the ground across which Picket
had made his glorious charge. wa
searching for missing friend. An up
turned face caught my eye, and, look
ing close, found it was Victor l.
Moyne, stone dead, shot through tn
heart. Whitney A. Smith in New
York Press.