Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-08-11

lutely molten fury.
Father Beret felt the dangerous ac-
cess of power in his antagonists arm
and knew that a crisis had arrived.
He could not be careless now. Here
was a swordsman OF the best school
calling upon him for all the skill and
strength and cunning that he could
command. Again the sanity element
was near being thrown aside by the
worldly in the old mans breast. Alice
lying there seemed mutely demanding
that he avenge her. A riotous some
thing in his blood clamored for a
quick and certain act in this drama by
moonlight a tragic close by a stroke
of terrible yet perfectly fitting justice
There was but the space of a breath
for the conflict in the priests heart,
yet during that little time he reasoned
the case and quoted Scripture to him.
self
Domino, percutimus in gladio?"
rang through his mind. c'Lord, shall
we smite with the swordT0
Hamilton seemed to make answer to
this with a dazzling display of skill.
The rapiers sang n strange song above
the sleeping girl, lullaby with corus-
cations of death in every keen note.
Hamilton pressed. nay rushed, the
fight with o weight and at a pace
which could not last, but Father Beret
. withstood him so firmly that he made
no farther Roadway. He even lost
some ground a moment later.
( You Jesuite hypocrite." he snar.ed.
; "You lowest of vile brotherhood Of
/ harsr'
Then he rushed again, making Il
magnificent show of strength, quick
+ ness and accuracy. The sparks Kissed
and cracked from the rasping and
: ringing blades.
Father Beret was in truth a Jesuit
! and as such zealot, but he was not a
/ liar or hypocrite. Being human, he
I resented an insult. The sanity spirit
/ in him was strong, yet not strong
! enough to breast the Indignation which
/ now dashed against it. For a moment
/ it went down.
Liar and scoundrel yourself!' he re-
torted, hoarsely forcing the words out
/ of his throat Spawn of n beastly
! breedr'
Hamilton saw and felt q change pass
over the spirit of the old priests move
ments. Instantly the sword leaping
against his own seemed endowed with
subtle cunning and malignant treach-
/ cry Before this it had been difficult
| enough to meet the fine play and hold
! fairly even. Now he was startled and
! confused, but he rose to the emergency
with admirable will power and clever
ness.
! Murderer of a poor orphan girl"
| Father Beret added with hot concen-
trated accent, death is too good for
| you"
Hamilton felt nearer his grave than
ever before in all his wild experience,
for somehow doom, shadowy and form
less, like the atmosphere of an awful
dream, enmisted those words, but he
was no weakling to quit at the height
of desperate conflict. He was strong,
expert and game to the middle of his
| heart.
'I'll add a traitor Jesuit to my list
| of dead" he painted forth, rising again
to the EXTREMIST tension of his power.
| As he did this Father Beret settled
himself as you have seen mighty
horse do in the home stretch of a race.
Both men knew that the moment had
arrived for the final act in their i'm
promptu play. 1t was short, a duel
condensed and crowded into fifteen
seconds of time, and it was rapid be-
yond the power of words to describe.
| ho1
not have seen what was finally done or
how 1t was DONE Father Beret's sword
seemed to be revolving-it was a halo
in front of Hamilton for a mere point
of time. The old priest seemed to
crouch and then make a quick motion
as If about to leap backward. A
wrench and a snip, as Of something
violently jerked from fastening, were
followed by semicircular fight of
Hamilton's rapier over Father Berets
head to stick in the ground ten fee
behind him. The duel was over, and
the whole terrible struggle had occu-
| pied less than three minutes.
| With his wrist strained and his fin
gers almost broken, Hamilton stumbled
forward and would have impaled him
self had not Father Beret turned the
point of his weapon aside as he low
cred it.
Surrender or diew
That was a strange order for priest
to make, but there could be no mistak-
ing its authority or the power behind
it. Hamilton regained his footing and
looked dazed, wheeling and putting
like a porpoise, but he clearly under
stood what was demanded of him.
"Tf you call out, I'll run you
through" Father Beret added, seeing
him move his lips as II to shout for
help.
| The level rapier now REINFORCED the
words. Hamilton let the breath go
noiselessly from his mouth and waved
his hand in token of enforced submis-
sion.
"Well, what do you want me TO do?''
he demanded, after short pause.
"You seem to have me at your mercy.
What are your termsT'
| Father Beret hesitated. 1t was a
question difficult to answer.
"Give me your word as British
officer that you will never again try
to harm any person not an open, armed
enemy in this town."
Hamilton's gorge rose perversely.
He erected himself with lofty reserve
and folded his arms. The dignity of a
lieutenant governor leaped into him
and took control. Father Beret cor
rectly interpreted what he saw.
"NIy people have borne much" he
said, "and the killing Of that poor child
there will be awfully avenged If l but
say the word Besides, l can turn
every Indian in this wilderness against
you in single day. You are indeed
at my mercy, and l will be merciful if
you will satisfy my demand"
81 am willing to give you my word. !"
he presently said. "And let me tell
you" he went on more rapidly, Il did
not shoot at her. She was behind you"
"Your word as a British officerT
Hamilton again stiffened and hesi-
tated, but only for the briefest space.
then said:
"Yes, my word as a British officer
Father Beret waved his hand with
impatience.
go, then, back to your place in the
fort, and disturb my people no more.
The soul of this poor little girl will
haunt you forever Go"
Hamilton stood little while gazing