CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1903-08-06

Boxers. ror Inoeeu rnere were rev
among the younger men who could
beat the brethren at the gloves: also
each man remembered that II he were
% beaten ~ to be ashamed to show
himself next day at the little house in
the town the rival suitor would have
won the widow. Therefore they fought.
in spite Of their rage. with science
and self control II was no romantic
duel. There was no dash Of swords.
The men were no courtly knights. the
lady no highborn maid. The affair
was q very vulgar one-two common
soldiers Of an age to know better. Of
friendship which should have been
above xuch folly. battering each other
brutally with fists for the hand Of q
woman whose late husband had been
q government teamster- 1t is to be con-
ceived. however. that the sneering
moon never looked down upon a COM
bat fought by young lovers with hon
est wounded hearts more fercely
afiame.
In utter silence they fought until the
snow WIS beaten and scattered by
their dancing feet There was no need
here Of seconds. no need Of an arbiter
OF the code Feint. parry. s.nash: a
moments play for breath. a close.
wresrle: up and come again. The old
boys were strictly honest. and. though
oone saw save that flying moon and an
occasional iackrabbit startled in its
incident of his twenty years fr1enu-
ship-tbe war. the fierce Indian fight
ing after the war. the comparative ease
that had come to them when they were
privileged characters with the officers
Of the regiment because OF their long
and faithful service. He felt a scorn-
full horror OF himself and terrible
loathing for the laughing woman who
would kiss two men on the same day
and send them out frenzied. to kill
each other.
Yet he got well pretty quickly. for. as
the doctor said. be had the constitution
Of a horse. One warm day be was
peremptorily ordered out much against
his will. to take the air on the broad
veranda which ran around the hos
pital He got himself comfortable In
low chair in quiet corner and began
for the huniredth time to go over ali
the murdered man had done for him In
those long. active years. OF fun and
fighting His head drooped on his
breast. and he dumbly thought Of sui
eide Round the corner OF the house
came the unmistakable thump thump
Of . man on crutches- HeaIy's eyes
sought the corner vacantly. In an in
slant they opened wide with fear, and
he rose to his feet. spreading out his
l. 80
The man on crutches stopped He was
pale with Ion~ sickness when be turned
the corner. but now his face coiored
and his eyes liz up with sudden un-
spea cable relief and Joy.
'Howly Mother. defind mer cried
Healy. -Aw, fur me sins. it's thrue I
killed him. but I'm near crazy fur the
scrro' av II! Ill confess it all. Fin. an
be hanged like a msn- Yex can have
the wildly. hang her. If she's any good
to yez now! But go back to yer grave
an lave me be, fur the sake av ould
toimes-
-Healy. Healy- gasped the man on
crutches. hopping toward him. I've
been feared to ask. l thought killed
you. Healy. you old chump, Healy!
u
Fin said Healy. slowly ceasing to
tremble. lis it rale nish an blood yez
are! Me Gcd. but can't behave it!'
But touch of familiar hands reas-
sured the veteran. and In another min
ute the two sat side by side. and
there were NO recruits to see-their
hands were clasped in each others
and their eyes were wet They did not
refer. save briefly. to their nearly fatal
quarrel understanding that each In q
moments madness had nred on the
other. and each when convalesceut.
had been afraid to ask for news Of his
friend. For a long time they were 3D.
lent until old Fin looked slyiy At the
corporal
-She's married-' he said abruptly.
~Chuh- said Healy.
ITO the schoolmaster. Graves said
Fin.
The divilr' said Heaiy and suddenly
laughed aloud.
-Healy.- said the farrier solemnly.
~women are frauds
"Ye're roight. so yez are. Ffn. said
the corporal and hitched up his chair
more closely to Straits. with q sigh Of
content
e ~ q