Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-01-16

disconcerting thing for him, but he
rallied instantly and sprang aside, TAX.
ing a new position just IN time to face
Father Beret again A chill crept up
his back. The horror which be could
not shake on enraged him beyond
measure. Gathering fresh energy he
renewed the assault with desperate
uteadlness. the highest product Of abso.
lutely molten fury.
Father Beret felt the dangerous ac-
cess OF power IN his antagonists arm
and knew that q crisis had arrived.
He could not be careless now. Here
was q 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 be Hvehge her A riotous some
thing IN bis blood clamOred fer a
quick and certRin act in this drama by
moonlight, a tragic close by stroke
Of terrible yet perfectly Citing justice.
There was but the space Of breath
for the conflict in the priests heart
yet during that little time he reasoned
the case and quoted Scripture TO him
self.
"Domiue, percutimus IN gladioT
rang through his mind. C''Lord, shall
we amite with the swordTO
Hamilton seemed 10 make answer TO
this with q dazzling display OF skill.
The rnpiers sang strange song above
The sleeping girl, a lullaby with cOrus
cations OF death IN every keen note
Hamilton pressed. nay rushed, the
Eight with weight and at a pace
which eodld not last but Father Berel
witbstood him 30 frmiy that he made
70 farther headway. He evon lost
bonie ground a moment later
"You Jesuite hypocritew be snarled,
"You lowest OF a vile brotherhood Of
uarsw
Then he rushed again, making a
mainincent show OF strength, quick |
ness und accuracy. The sparks Kissed
and cracked from the rasping and
ringing blades.
Father Beret was IN truth a Jesuit
and az such a zealot, but be was not J
Iihr or q hypocrite. Being human, he
resented an insult The saintly spirit
fn him was strong, yet not strong
enough 20 breast the indignation which |
now dashod against II. For moment
II went down.
"LlHr and scoundrel yourself" he re
torted hoaruely forcing the words oui
or bis thront spawn OF a beastly
breedr'
Hamilton saw and felt change pass
over the spirit of the old priests move
mcnts. Instantly the sword leaplng
against his own seemed endowed with
subtle cunning and malignant trench
cry. Before this II bad been difficult
enough to meet the fine play nnd hold
fairly even. Now he was startled und
confused, but be rose TO the emergency |
Will admirable viii power and clever |
ucss
''Murderer OF poor orphan girl,
Father Beret added with hot conccn
rattd aacent death Is too good sor
you"
Hamilton felt nearer hls grave thnn
ever bofore ln an his wild experience
Tor somehow doom, shadowy ana fo1u
ioss. like the atmosphere 0f an nwfu
dranL enmlstcd those words. but IL
was nO weakling Ca quit az the height |
of desperate conflict lie was strong
expert aud game 10 the middle OF hh
heart.
IN ada traitor Jesuit 10 my lls
of dead he painted forth. rising again |
20 the extrcmpst tension of his power.
AZ he did this Father Berct sottie0
himself a. you have seen a mighty
horso DO IA the home stretch of n raco
Both men knew that the moment hat |
arrived fur the hnal act In their iui |
pFompiu play. II was short. due
eondvnsed and crowded into nftcep
seconds OF time, aud 4 was rapid be |
yond the power of words 20 drscrlbe |
A bystander, had there been one. could |
not have seen what was finally done or
how n was done. Father Berets sword |
seemed 70 be- revolving II was a halo
10 front OF Hamilton for mere point
~ time, The old priest seemed 10
crouch and then make a quick motion
as Il about 90 heap backward A
wrench aud a snip. as OF something
Violently jerked FROM fastening. VEN
followed by semicircular hight or
hamilton'a rapier over Father Berets
head 20 stick In the ground ten feet
behind him. The duel was over. and
NE whole terrible struggle had occu.
pied lees than three minutes.
With hia wrist strained and his On.
eeru almost hrken, Hamilton stumbled
forward aud would have impaled him.
self had not Father Berot turned the
point Of his weapon aside a. he low
ered a.
'surrender or dlel"
That was a STRANGE order Tor a prlest
10 make, but thero could be- NO mlstnk
ma 10 authority or the power behind
~ Hamilton regained his footing ana
hooked daEed, wheeElng ana pumnr
IKE a porpoise, but he clearly under
Hseod what was demanded of him
~ you call out. I'm run you
through" Father Berot added, seeing
aim move his lips as n 10 shout FOR
Hin ~ |