Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1904-04-07
CHAPTER XVIII.
A DUEL BY MOONLIGHT.

WWYlIEN Hamilton. after running
wv some distance, saw that he
w was gaining upon Alice and
would soon oyertakc her. II
added fresh energy 20 his limbs. He
had quickly realized the foolishncss OF
what he lad done In visiting the room
OF his prisoner at so late an hour I'm
the night What would his officers and
men thinkl To let Alice escape would
BE- extremely embarrassing. and 10 bc
seen chasing her would give good
ground for rldicule on the part OF his
entire command. Therefore his first
thought, after passing through the pos
tern and realizing fully what sort OF
predicamcnt threatened him, was 90 re
capture her and return her 10 the
prison room In the biockhousc without
attracting attention This now prom
ised TO be nm easier task than he had
nc nrst feared. for I'm the moonlight
which on account or the dispensing
clouds was fast growing stronger. he
saw her seem 10 falter and weaken
Certainly her flight was checked and
took an eccentric turn. ms II some oh
struction had barred her way. lie
rushed on. not seeing that "a Alice
swerycd man interpncd. indeed.
he was within a few strides Of laying
his hand on her when he saw her make
the strange movement IL was as II.
springing suddenly aside. she had be
come two persons instead OF one. But
Instantly the ngurcs coincidcd again,
and In becoming tnlier faced about md
confronted him.
Hamilton stopped short in his tracks
The dark figure was about ave PAGES
from him. 10 was not Alice, and a
sword flashed dimly but unmis,a kabiy
IN a ruy ot the moon. The motion Wis
ihlc was that Of an expert swordsman
placing himself iirmly on his legs. with
his weapon at guard
Alice saw the man In her path Just
in time 20 avoid running against him
Lightly as flying bird whom II whisks
itself In n short scmicircle past tree
or q bough she sprane aside and
swung around 20 the rear OF him.
where she could continue her course
toward the town. But In passing she
recognized him. II was Father Beret.
md how grim he looked, The dlscoy-
cry was made in the twinkllng OF an
eye, and It's effect was instantaneous.
not only checking the force OF her
flight. but stopping her and turning
her about 90 gaze before she had gone
Eve PAGES farther.
IiamiltOn's nerve held. startled as he
was. when he realized that an armed
man stood before him. Changing the
rapler, which he held IN his right
hand, over into his left he drew a
small pistol from the breast OF his
coat and fired. The report was sharp
and loud, but Il caused no uneasincss
or inquiry In the fort owing 90 the
fact that Indians invariably cmptied
their guns whom coming into the town.
HaniltonS aim. although hasty, was
not bad. The bullet from his weapon
cut through Fathcr Berets clothes be
tween his left arm and HIS body. slight
~ creasing the flesh ON rib. Beyond
him IL struck heavily and audibly.
Alice fell limp and motionless TO the
soft wet ground. where cold puddlcs OF
water were Mpiinfered over with ice.
She lay pitifully crumpled. one arm
outstrctched IN the moonlight Father
Berct heard the bullet hit her and
turned In time TO sec her stagger back
ward with a hand convuisively pressed
over her heart Her face. slightly up
turned as she reeled. gave the moon a
pallid target for Its Strengthening rays.
Sweet beautiful. It's rigid features
flashed for second and then half
turned from the light and went down.
Father Berct uttencd o short thin
cry and moved us II TO 30 70 the fallen
girl, but Just then he saw Hamilton's
sword pass over again into his right |
hand and knew that there was no time
for anything but death or fight. The |
good priest did not RhiSk what might |
have made tho readiest OF soldiers |
nervous. Hamilton was known 20 be a
great swordsrnan ana ppoud OF the dis