Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-04-25

| temper, DuJ II Is Impossible, even III the
old nabob were willing Poor men must
pocket their pride before money bags;
/ cannot do it.
Il knew he was as proud as Lucifer,
but / tried to reason with him: it was
quite useless, however. His mind was
fully made up, and | have no doubt the
thing would have ended in commonplace
fashion enough but for chance stroke
Of i'll luck
"That night half a dozen OF MS sat late
over our cards, and we were all more or
less excited with WINE and play when
Haughton strolled in and began to watch
the game while he smoked a cigar /
well remember the look of hate that
flashed from Barnet's eyes when some
one invited him to join us, which Charley
excused himself from doing.
Barnet had been losing all night.
my own luck was Just bad, which, CON
sidering the skill of my antagonists, was
hardly surprising. We doubled the
stakes; Barnet lost again. Again we
doubled, and again he lost. For the third
time he doubled. 1t was our last game.
noticed Barnet's hands tremble as he
gathered up his cards. l looked at my
own and found handful of trumps /
glanced at the pile OF gold; nothing could
beat me!
Il led off with my worst trump; won
the trick, and the next. ana so on. As
| was about to throw my last card Bar
net made some remark about 'onlookers'
which was plainly meant for Haughton.
III there is any objection ] shall be
happy to withdraw said Haughton
Don't be a fool, Barnet, said one fell
low.
Don't croak if luek's against you,'
said another.
i object to any communication be-
tween players and spectators
All eyes We're fixed on Barnet. He
was making a serious charge. l looked
at Haughton. The proud blood mantled
his face for a moment, then retreated,
leaving him as pale as marble.
" AS | am the only spectator, demand
an explanation The calmness with
which the words were uttered was in
striking contrast with his blazing eyes
and bloodless lips.
Demand! sncercd Barnet. Haughton
said nothing; he was not the man to
handy words like IL woman
What do you mean, Barnet? said the
senior captain.
a. mean that Haughton directed
player by glance.
Nonsense, Barnett exclaimed the
whole board as one man. You are mis-
taken
"iaughton smiled at the hearty una
nimity OF the chorus. Then his eyes
flashed like those of a tiger as he turned
en- Barnet.
Barnet, You have spoken what you
know to be as false as hell he Kissed
and. turning on ms nccl, he left the room.
Il don't know how you manage these
things now, but in my service days we
laughed at regulations. A man went on
Il hunting expedition. and was brought
home dead. or perhaps he was found in
his quarters with a bullet in his head
Nobody asked inconvenient questions.
Il followed Haughton to his quarters
to talk the matter over with him. /
found him examining his pistols. 4 never
thought to turn them on comrade he
said. | tried to hope that Barnet would
not fight. but my heart told me that he
thirsted for his rivals blood, ANY doubt
| had on the matter was set at rest next
morning. Barnet came To me- and with
the utmost sang froid detailed plan for
meeting l said something about not
liking the business He laughed and
lcered, and in the end so eXasperated me
that | wanted to shoot him myself And
it ended by my agreeing to second
Ilau9hton.
Next morning we drove from the sta
ton to the completion OF this, my life's
tragedy"
George paused while. apparently
overcome by emotion. Then he contin-
ucd:
The meeting place was a few leagues
distant, and when we arrived Barnet was
awaiting us alone, though he had prom
ised to bring with him friend. But |
might have guessed that no officer would
30 out with him under the circumstances.
Il mentioned the matter to him. oh"
he replied, purposely raising his voice
that Haughton might hear, when gentle.
men want to fight they don't stick al
tritles of that sort 1t was then | made
the fatal mistake. l should have refused
to bear alone the possibility, but boys
are so afraid of appearing cowardly.
"Haughton saw ME hesitate. Never
mind he said; / don't care Then he
eripped my hand Il moment and contin-
ued. BE her friend, George. for my sake
Goodby Then he took up his place.
II can recall as though it were but yes
tclNaN tnOSc TWO men standing lace to
face in the depth of the trackless jungle,
with the fiery Indian sun beating upon
the handsome, fearless face of the
younger, while his foe stood with lower
ing hrows and eyes cleaning with dead
liest hate calmly measuring the gallant
soldierly form outlined against the
tangled shrubs with their network of
luNuiant crceperS.
AT the word three they were to fire.
AT the word one trembled in every
limb as my own husky voice intensified
The grim reality of the scene. but Haueh
ton stood as calmly erect as though On
parade.
"'Twon The ponies looked up lazily
from their browsing and sazed with won
dering eyes upon the strange spectacle
My tongue cleaved to my palate and the
perspiratiou stood in large, cold beads
upon my forehead
"'IhrccI
Il scarcely recognized my own voice rs
the word fell on my ear Both pistols