Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-05
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
BETWEEN
GENTLEMEN
Copyright. 1909. by c. b. Lewis.l

steamer at Naples, anu TWO or the par
~ were Colonel Dayton and his wife.
1t was the talk aboard the steamer
that they were on their bridal tour, but
there were certain reasons why some
of us did not believe IL. 1t made no
difference that he was at least fifteen
years her senior. but she seemed alto
gether too melancholy for a bride. She
was n woman about twenty-eight years
old and as handsome one as you
would meet in n weeks travel. but it
was evident that she had TO force ev-
cry smile that appeared on her face.
One night two days before we reached
Naples she would have thrown herself
overheard had not my berthmate been
at hand to step her, but he did not
speak of the matter to any one but me.
When he had related the incident, he
added:
"It's nothing TO. us who this couple
are. but I've made up my mind that
it's case OF elopement. The colonel
is evidently an old bachelor, while She
is wife,
They were driven away in n carriage
when the steamer reached the city.
and it was not for three or four days
that L found by accident where they
had gone. They were occupying 4 villa
in the suburbs and seeming to shun
publicity. / met the colonel two or
three times in my walks, but he look
ed straight into my face and made no
cfar Of too, H.x-
had passed and 1 was out on the noun
tain side one day when I saw the colo
mel approaching by Il path from the
right. At the same moment Il second
man came up from the direction of
town. and Il moment later the three of
us were standing together beside a
large bOwlder in an old vineyard. had
my eyes on both as they drew togcth-
er. They paid not the least attention
to me, but bowed slightly to each 9th
err. and each changed color for an in
slant as they looked into each others
eyes ] somehow felt that they knew
each other, and the position became
embarrassing for me. / was about to
pass on when the newcomer lifted his
hand in protest aud quietly said to the
other:
Il presume the lady is here in Naples
with you:"
''She is" was the reply rs the colo
mel carelessly tapped the bowlder with
his cane.
''And you were rather expecting
me?'
"Oh, wellr"
The men looked away from each
other for Il moment. The stranger
was MUCH younger man, and his
dress, looksland depeanor were proofs
of n gentleman. 1t came to me that
he must be the husband of the clipping
woman and that he had followed i'll
pursuit. Only the flashing of his eyes
told of the volcano raging within his
breast. His face was rs impressive as
a mask and his voice as even as if
speaking to n friend at the club. He
looked away over the fields for half a
minute and then turned and queried:
you will Of course grant me salts
faction?"
Certainly" replied the colonel. with
a slight bow.
Here and now?'
"Well, / am not armed. but as early
as You please in the morning."
''Thanks-as soon after sunrise as
you can make it convenient. In the
meantime
''In the meantime / shall make all
necessary arrangements" finished the
colonel as he sauntered on.
The other looked after him for awhile
and then turned to me and queried:
Were you a fellow passenger of his
on the Sovereign"
YES"
''Then you probably understand. l
wish to avoid public gossip as much as
possible. / shall Kill him here tomor-
row morning. Will you be present and
see that it is honorably done?"
But the police / began, when lie
checked me with:
Money will silence them and gloss
it over. Kindly let me expect you.
Here Is my card"
During the first half OF the evening 7
made up my mind to have nothing fur
Their to do with the affair, but before
going to bed l decided to follow it up,
and the sun had not been up above fif-
teen minutes when | was at the bowl
der. Colonel Dayton was already there.
walking back and forth, and after Il
naughty bow he gave me no further
attention. The other came up ten min
utes later, and they bowed to each 9th
er. Each had n pistol case under his
arm. and as they stopped over them l
stepped of ten PAGES. There was no
choice of positions. Each loaded his
own weapon. and saw that both were
gold handled revolvers. They were not
two minutes getting ready. and then
my gentlemen nodded to each other
and sauntered down to the rock mark
ing the tenth pace. j did not exactly
know what was required of me until
both looked at me. Then stepped
aside and counted. "One-;wo-three-
fire. The two reports were blended in
one. and IS Colonel Dayton dropped
his weapon and sank down the other