Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-18

ing loudly. but ,Selby caught the laugh. He
| stood little slaughter and said: I'm
glad you've seen NANNY Miss Mary Spec.
She Is the best woman. She was pretty
once Now. poor thing, she CANT seem to
understand sst thaf,she amt young no more,
| and mas fattencf out o her good looks
she seems very-kind,' Mary Spec said.
constralnedly. she, too, had caught the
amused contenspt of Wiiloughbs's laugh.
she shivered a little, remembering the
| moon flowers, ana the honeysuckle breath.
ara the subtle compelling of Selby's un-
spoken love ShA knew he loved her. The
knoWledse had drought her dangerously
near TO loving him. In many ways she was
brave, even heroic, yet she grew woman
cowardly at theiuhought of affront to the
conventions other world. WiIloughby typi-
ned her WORLDLY Still she would be kind to
,oeiov; Nfs. lIiEenbee even should not make
her slight him.
Supper! Shpihr, Come. All you that
am lost your senses uer your appetitesr
Uncle Bob shouted, coming around from the
back yard
Lemme take you out, Miss Mary Spec!'
Selby said, offering his arm.
enc Is gong with me-" Willoughby said,
a,lhost roughly. stepping to the other side,
Mary spec flushed. painfully, but tried to
laugh. 4 believe | want to go with
petter-tcoking man than either of YOU" she
sala' aarting away after Uncle Bob. In
tl1ne, to the strains of Lexington" the
crowd streamed after them. laughing, chat
tering, tumbing over itself, the merriest
mop OF healthy appetites
Selhy and his rival had stepped out of its
way The locust leaves let through fine
silver rain of sunbeams, full in Selby's face
Nliioughby saw that it was strangely agi-
.a,ed. he set his teeth and said arrogantly:
L am Miss Dfckerson's friend-I will not
nave her annoyed further. You had better
stop hanging about her.
. You say | had better?.'' selby asked.
Are you deaf"r Wilioughly retorted an
griiy Selby shook his head.
Mo- he said. But that is sorter a new
WSfd to my ears. You see, nobody amt
a beard
AN the same. tell yon here and now,
you had better let Miss Willoughby be-
gan Selby's hand shut his mouth like
wise. III have no names called-here!'
he said Eff you wanter quarrel. wanter
fight, even. thaTs politics handy"
Quill have what / choose to give YOU.
Take that Willoughby said furiously,
still for half minute, his breath coming
hlrd then took ont his handkerchief. wiped
the place that had felt the blow and be-
gan 10 step off eight PAGES on the turf.
When ne had counted them he made mark
with his heel. and turned to Wiloughby
saying: is your gun ready? We better set
tie this right here and now
NO! We will settle it tomorrow. I have
too much respect Wiiioushby began.
PITY it was so sleepy-headed-th re-
spect o yourn!" Selby interrupted. with
little drawl. EFF it had been awaye, maybe
you might awaited tell tomorrow TO insult
a man. that is as much in place here as you
da ar TO he.
You don't mean to insinuate I am
afraid?" Willoughby said, huskily. Selby
folded his arms, "No, not of a gun" he
said, TN do We that justice. But you are
afraid O what felix's will say
We could not explain" Witloughby be-
gan.
Selby held up his hand
Explanations won't signify to one of us.
certain" he said; maybe to both. But
Wen agree right now. the Twin one can
tell what tale he likes
At the last word his revolver gave an
ominous click that set Wiloughly wild. He
had been livid all along. His face grew
white and deadly as he said: Agreed, You
shall have the satisfaction of a gentleman
little as you deserve it"
Seby looked at, him, smiling, almost
dreamly, though to himself he said
I've read in fine old book that the man
who knows how to ride and shoot and tell
the truth has1the full education of a gen
tteman. am pretty poor sort compa AIRED
with what [ want ter be-but anybody that
knows me knows 1 can do them three
things -
LAS We have no seconds, shall we not
toss for Dosition?' WilIoughby said, icily
as though he had rot heard. Selby nodded,
then suddenly held up his hand saying,
Seems ter me this might be better. Toss
UP, heads or tails--the one that loses ter
stand under that candle, thar, on the locust
tree and take his medicine like man"
As you please!" said Willoughby. Selby
had drawn cut a coin. 1--WE better make
an IdStt ne Sttlu, sun, before bulS goes
further thar's an awkward thing got to be
fixed"
II won't wait" Willoughby said, dog
gedly.
You will watt" Selby said. decidedly
drawing long envelope from his pocket
Here's a passel o papers that mustn't be
found on me-
Il have nothing to do with your secrets"
Willoughby said. .'"E
Not even when they happen to be your
OWN Selby asked These happen to be
your secrets, Mr.. Willoughby Here are
two checks you signed once-wth another
mans name. Most likely you was drunk
and done it fer lark Most folks wouldn't
think so, if you are so rich
Nflloughby flung up his hands and stag
gered back against the nearest tree. II
cannot fight YOU he said. II take back
Everything. / will go away! / will do
anything you say, if, for my fathers sake
you VIII not use those papers against me-"
Use en- against you.'' Seby said. When
I'm mean enough to do sech as that III
quit the country. Man wrote me ter come
and git EN-. | did git 'em-paid his price
then told him I'd shoot him eff ever he
named he had had 'em-without my leave
| fetched EN- here tonight to give back to
you. IF ! CANT beat you fighting fair. |
won't beat you at all.
Willoughby clutched the enyeloDe and
flung away his pistol. Il will do as you bid
me- ne said, III a shaken voice. Seiby
picked up the pistol, handed it back, and
said, touching his own cheek Significantly:
That sorter stings. 1t is a pity-but I
reckon We're bound to see this thing
through
Nilioughby looked at him appealingiv.
There was no relenting in his face The
coin went spinning up, Pickering silyerlv
in the moonbeams, and fell with tinkIe
between their feet
Heads Selby called. Both bent to look.
The coin stood edgewise, lodged against a
tiny pebble. This time Selby tossed. again
calling Heads" before the bit of silver
touched the earth.
Heads VIM Willoughby said. walking
little unsteadly to his place beneath the
candle. 1t fiuttered and fared snectraIlv
in flows of night wind. WiIouehbv dung
off his coat and let his arms dron. The
fittering light showed his face beaded all
over.
BE still more merciful! Shoot ouic,,r,
he said, his eyes full on Selby's face. SeIby
took deliberate aim, but dropped his pistol
to say:
You agree-here in the face O. death
TINS is er mans quarrel-one that touches
nobody but our two SeiVes?'
Il agree" Willoughby answered in = dry
whisper. Selby started little at the sound
of it. Again n raised his pistol to cover
his adversary's heart. The band was nIav
ing Tom Merwether," maddest of mad
merry. dancing tunes IN go and make
EN- StOD-if Won want fer nrav , ,,,i,,,, : -,