Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-07-02

showed it. "I'l do more than that and
give you this letter right now instead
OF sneaking into the hotel and Slip
ping it under the door of your room
as was going to do, after I went to
the post Office" Sampson took a
square, pink envelope from the breast
of his coat and handed it to Guy.
"Vlandingham's hired man brought
that over to me at ~ o'clock last night.
He said he couldn't deliver it himself,
as the sheriff was sleeping with one
eye open in front of your room door
and lie wanted me to slip it into your
hands,"
/ Guy looked at the superscription of
the missive. The chirography was
graceful and distinctly feminine. Of
course he did not know who the letter
was from. but he could imagine, and
his eyes frightened and his face
flushed.
cts a good thing you're going to
keep still about me- grinned Samp-
son. I'm not the only fellow who has
established communication with the
enemy
He went away chuckling, while Guy
dropped the note quickly into his
breast pocket and waited for the sher-
if to rejoin him.
didn't he give you something's"
queried Pettibone, as they walked on.
Nothing of much Importance" an
swered Guy.
The sheriff was thoughtful for a
space and then asked abruptly:
'Did you ever see duel, Mr.. Her
bert?'
''What kind Of duel?"
Zone of the oldfashioned blood and
thunder kind. Guess you know about
as much how they did it as I do. It's
in defiance of the law and I suppose
I'll have to go out and linger around
even if I don't do anything. You can
have your choice between being
locked up while am gone, or going
with me-"
''I1l go with you, Pettibone."
"That's sensible. We may have a
little fun incidentally. Read that"
The sheriff fished folded paper out
of his pocket and Guy opened the
sheet and read as follows:
Concord, June 16, 'S5-Mr. Richard Petit
bone Sheriff of Goodwill county, Concord,
D. T.-Dear Sir: One who cherishes the
law as the dearest of our countrys insti-
tutions, and who has become aware of a
terrible crime about to be committed comes
to you with these presents, asserting that
challenge and acceptance to figth a duel
have passed between two of the most
worthy people of Goodwill county. ChaI-
lenge was issued from the editorial Of
fee Of the Norther and accepted in the
saEctum Of the BlizZard-this, be it stated,
in direct violation of paragrap phi 29S, chap
ter 49, penal code Of this territory This
affair of honor unless thwarted by exer-
else of your authority, will take place at
four o'clock in the afternoon of Wednes-
day. June II, on the north shore of Lake
Elizabeth.
IF YOU have a decent regard for the
peace and well-being of this community,
let me supplicate YOU forthwith to take
such steps as may seem advisable for avert
ing an impending catastrophe. Proceed to
the scene of this intended crime and resort
to force, If necessary, in overturning the
sanguinary plans OF the duelists.
PRO BONO PUBLICO."
This states plainly enough that
the two Colonies are the principals in
the affair."" said Guy. 1.-The fact of
this proposed duel is no news to me,
however, as I already had knowledge
of it from Col. Keever himself. Who
is this PRO Bono Publico,' wonder?"
"You wonder, eh?" returned Petit
bone, with another of his winks.