Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1904-04-07

spirit began to assert itself, fcebfy in
deed. but surely. Then IT was that
Father Beret seemed TO be losing agil-
lily for awhile as he backstepped away
from Hamilton's increasing energy OF
assault. In his heart the priest was
saying: II will not murder him.
must not do that lie deserves death,
but vengeance Is not mine. will dis
arm him" Step by step he retreated,
playing erratically 20 make an opening
for trick hc meant TO use.
II was slngularly loose play, a sort
OF wavcring, shifty, incomprehensible
show OF carelessncss that caused Ham
lton 10 entertain doubt, which was
really fear, ~ Co what was going to
happen. for, Notwithstanding all this
neglect Of due prccaution on the
priests part, to touch him seemed I'm
possible. miraculously 81. and every
plan OF attack dissolved into futllity
In the most maddcning way.
"Pricst. devil or ghostr ragged Ham
nton, with a froth gathering around
his mouth. IN kill you, or
He made lungc when his adversary
left an opening which appeared abso-
lutely beyond defense II was a quick.
dexterous. vicious thrust The blade
leaped toward Father Berets heart
with twinkle like lightning.
At that moment, although warily
alert and hopeful that his opportunity
was at hand, Father Dcret came near
losing his life. for as he sidestepped
and easily parriei Hamiltons thrust,
which he had invited, thinking TO en-
tangie his blade and dlsarm him, he
caught his foot I'm Alice's skirt and
stumbled, nearly falling across her.
II would have been easy for Hamilton
TO run him through had he instantly
followed up the advantage. but the
moonlight on Alices fnec struck his
eyes, and by that indirect ray OF vision
which is often strangely effective he
recognized her lying there. II was
disconcerting thing for him. but ~
rallied instantly and sprang aside. tax
ing a new position just In time 20 face
Father Beret again. 4 chill crept up
his back. The horror which he could
not shake of enragcd him beyond
measure. Gathering fresh energy, he
renewed tho assault with desperate
steadiness. the highest product OF abso-
lutely molten fury.
Father Beret felt the dangerous &c
cess OF power In his antagonists arm
aud knew that q crisis had arrived
lie could not be careless now. Hero
was a swordsman OF the best school
calling upon him for AL 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 q
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 20 him
self
"Domine. percuumus In giadio"
rang through his mind. CLord. shall
we smite with the swordT0
Hamilton seemed 10 make answer to
this with n dazzling display OF skill
The rapiers sang a strange song above
the sleeping girl. lullaby with corrs-
cations OF death in every keen. note,
Hamilton pressed, nay rushed. the
fight with a weight and at a pace