Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-07-04
lCopyrLshl. lyol, By lhe ). 5. Neclurs Co.

Copyright, 1901, BY the ;. 5. Mcclure CO..
Blkins and Glimmer disappeared in
the brush and among the trees 20 the
north and al was outwardly as calm
and serene as before.
TIL. next arrivals were Col Dingle
and Capt Blue, who drove red
wheeled gig over the rise and down
10 a sentinel cottonwood that stood
apart. The captain and the colonel
were joking and laughing and one
would have ina gined that duel was as
ordinary a matter with them Col.
Keever had informed Guy il had once
been with him.
Capt. Blue hitched the horse 20 tree
and as he finished and turned away Col.
Keever and Sampson drove merrily
upon the scene. The editor Of the Biz
ard was smoking a cigar and his eI-
IRENE nonchalance was the most no.
tieeable thing about him.
Good afternoon, gentlemen" he
called courteously 10 those already on
the field.
Col Dingle and Capt Blue nodded
distantly and Col. Keever shrugged his
fat shoulders, chuckled cynicaNy and
got down from the buggy. Cropping
around under the seat he succeeded in
finding and in drawing into sight a
large revolver. Facing about, he
pressed spring, pulled down the bar
rel and gave a businesslike glance al
the cartridges IN the cylinder. This
done, he snapped the revolver together,
knocked the ashes from his cigar with
the muzzle and staggered over in the
direction Of his opponent.
We'll" said Dingle, sharply, "h you
are ready, pace off the distance and
let us get this affair over with"
We'll first flip quarter for choice
Of positions" returned Keever, Civ
ing a side glance at the sun. The
last time I figured in an affair Of this
kind-was il the last, now, or next TO
the last well, anyway, fought with
the sun in my eyes and only pinked
my man. Still"
"Your "reminiscences are very inter
esting." but I think we can dispense
with them" cut in Col Blue, taking
quarter ont of his pocket. "Once
for all, Col Keever. what is ftp"
The coin twirled in the air.
. Heads" cried Keever, and won the
toss.
Taking up his position with his back
TO the west, he motioned 10 Sampson.
The printer came at once. leaving the
horse unhitched. Although the horse
was known TO be gentle, II was fool
ish thing for Sampson 20 leave II in
this way. ..----......--
+, Sampson, pace of 20 steps with
Capt. Blue" commanded Keever. III
you'd rather make II ten, Dingle, I'm
agreeable"
"Fivs" cried the little Colonel.
Would you like 70 have me tie
handkerchief over one Of my eyes?"
asked Col. Keever, with exasperating
condescension. II dislike to take any
advantage of you" 70.
Don't you be disturbed" fared
Dingle, holly. "When Il comes 10 pis-
tol practice, my one eye is as good as
your two eyes any day"
will be bad. Sampson, see that I get
five PAGES, or less"
Five very short PAGES were stumped
of by the Captain, who punctuated the
distances BY driving his wooden leg into
the sana al both positions.
? "All right, Colonel" sung out Samp-
son, and the principals were soon back
TO back. weapons in hand, awaiting the
fall Of Cart. Blues cap, which was to be
the sign.i So turn and FIRE.
From their places Of concealment in
the brush Guy and Pettibone were lis
tening TO the conversation and watch
ing the sanguinary preparations with
intense interest. Was il 20 be a trag-
edy, after all, instead Of farce? Guy
was beginning 10 grow nervous.
"We'd better go out and stop this be-
fore it's too late" he said, excitedly 70
Pettibone. They'll Kill each other"
Don't you believe it, returned the
sheriff, confidently. Hear that! This
IS where Bilkins and Glimmer take a
hand, and I'll warrant Keever put them
up to it."
Bilkins and Glimmer had suddenly
leaped from the other patch Of timber
and Guy and the sheriff saw them
bound over the intervening space and
hurl themselves upon Col Keever
Sampson had also seized his employer
and the three were struggling with him
in great desperation.
Capt. Blue took pipe from one peck
ct, handful of tobacco from another.
and filed his pipe bowl calmly and
methodicslly while watching Keever's
apparently desperate attempt TO free
himself.
"stsnd off" shouted Dingle. Break