Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-02-23

iuohOl ALL POl tdAu Dub nOb uSO6bbHTy W
this narrative. But Grim knew then
that he was only a 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's
eyes which boded no good. And in
spite of all these things, Lieutenant
Mat Grim was game.
The moon was looking over old
Baldys icy crown now and the great
dome above and the sand below werd
filled with its whitenesss.
"You acted the coward once, little
officer-try to be man tonight" 1
heard Lander say. ''It was impracl
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. see that you have your
six-shooter. 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 o clever shot at
West Point.
"Who 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.
Grim s tall gelding browsed uneasily
and whinnied. He wanted to get back
to the hay on the picket line, but he
was 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 ''raise pistol"
"Ready?" asked the lieutenant,
clearing his throat again.
"All ready" answered the silent
man cheerfully. The moonbeams
whitened his forehead.
"One;" said the lieutenant. Both
men were motionless.
"Twol' he screamed. His arm
dropped There was noise and an
empty shell in MS -ssix-shooter. The
lieutenant had fo- say
"Three."
Lander was dying
and there was no
| stX-ShOoteri Sfat-O.4--, -
ior officer, ranlto his horse like thing
affrighted, and galloped away.
$50 and tell her, old chap" Ian
der whispered, 'that Charlie Howard
was afraid to meet her tonight. Tell
her that his memory is far worthier
shrine for her worship than-a COM
mon cavalryman. Tell her that was
deserter, because old man, I think q
lot of the little witch. : You needn' It
tell her that Grim is a coward just
say he is good shot"
And when there were no more words
l hurried away to the village to keep
Lander's engagement. She was there
"a little thing-pretty and trembling.
There was lace handkerchief in her
hand and soft perfume about her.
told her what Lander had said.
She did not cry, but clutched my arm
with fierce strength.
"Take me to him." she demanded.
led the way back over the rolling
road, and when we neared the spot
where / had left my silent friend in
the moonlight, 1 heard a long, low,
mournful howl, the answer mingled
with the echo.
"Let us hurry-faster!" I said
There was no change. Lieutenant
Mat Grim had not returned. The wom-
IN picked up the pistol which had
fallen by the silent mans side, and
threw open the cylinder with the ease
of a veteran. Six loaded cartridges
fell into her hand.
"You saw it all?" she questioned
slowly. "And he was your friend?"
L bowed.
'"Then you will kill the coward for
your friends sakel'' She spoke the
words altogether too loudly.
"He is my superior officer, madame,
whispered.
hCafo lho HoW, Su6 COulluduueu.
''But, madame" I objected, ''I
must walk with you back to the Will
age"
''No, no! Leave me. have this"
She was replacing the cartridges into
the cylinder.
AS 1 stood watching her, bugler in
the camp mile away played the last
call a soldier hears at night-the
mournful, melancholy taps. And /
looked down upon my friend, the 81
lent man-they would sound taps over
him to -morrow-and [ forgot that I
was only private in the regular army.
''Leave me now," she repeated
And when l had gone few PAGES I
turned. She was bending low.
The moon was high above old Baldy
now, and his whiteness was upon the
upturned face of the silent man.
Lieutenant Mat Grim called for his
horse the next morning, when q guard
told him that the bodies of Private
Lander and white woman had been
found out in the chaparral, Detroit