Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-09

UUTDTFNL.
slant exposure to peril in every form had
yielded me a grim philosophy of fatalism
that now stood me in most excellent stead.
Indeed doubt not, had | chosen to put it
to the test, my hand would have proven
the steadier of the two for Brennan's face
was flushed. and he plainly exhibited the
intense luminosity with which he confronted
me.
How peculiarly the mind often operates
IN such moments of exciting suspensel !
recall remarking very slight stoop IN
Brennans shoulders which had never per-
celNed before, L remember wondering where
Moorehouse had ever discovered a tailor TO
give so shocking a fit to his coat and finally
L grew almost Interested IN two birds perch
ed upon the limb OF tree opposite where
l stood. L even smiled to myself over a
jest one of the young officers had made an
hour before. Yet with II all I remained
keenly observant, and fully aware of each
movement made by the others on the field.
1 saw Cation accept the derringer handed
him and test it carefully, the long. SLIM
blue barrel looking deadly enough as he
held 1t up between me and the sky Then
Moorehouse approached Brennan with It's
fellow in his grasp and the lieutenant
crossed over, and stood beside me.
Here is the gun, Wayne" he said, and I
sincerely hope you have changed your de-
clslon Ihere is no mercy in Brennans
eyes,
so I notice" 1 answered. taking the
derringer from him. and examining 1t with
some curiosity, but l shall do as I said,
nevertheless. 1t Is not any sentiment of
mercy / feel which spares him. but duty
that appeals to me even more strongly
than hate"
by heaven, I wish it were otherwise
l remained silent, for l could not say IN
my heart that | echoed his wish, and
cared not to go down in another minute
with a lie upon my lips. The love of Edith
Brennan, which / now felt assured was
mine, was sweeter far to me than life.
Who gives the word?' 1 questioned.
Il do; are you ready?"
Perfectly"
I held out my hand. and his fingers closed
upon II with warm, friendly grip. The next
moment Brennan and L stood, seemingly
alone, facing each other, as motoness az
two statues. His coat was buttoned to the
throat, his cap-visor pulled low over his
eyes, his pistol hand hanging straight down
at his SIDE his gaze never wavering from
me. l knew he was cooly, deliberately
measuring the distance between us with as
deadly a purpose as any murderer. The
almost painful stiffness was broken by
Cation and L marked the tremor in his
voice.
Are you both ready, gentlemen?'
II am" said Brennan.
Ready / replied.
THE word will be one, two, three-fire,
with a slight pause after the three. A re-
port from either pistol before the final
word is spoken L shall take personally. Be
prepared now
There was moments pause: so still was
it | heard the chrping of birds overhead
and the futter of a leaf ii fell swlrling
at my feet. / saw Brennan as through a
mist, and in its undulatons there scented
to be pictures of the face of his wife. as If
her spirit lowered there between us. To
have shot then would have been like pierce
ing her before reaching him.
Ready said the voice once more; and
as | saw Brennan's arm slowly rise | lifted
mine also and covered him. noting as I did
so almost in wonder with what steadiness
of nerve and wrist l held the slender gauge
just beneath the visor of his cap. Delib-
erately, as though he dreaded the neces-
sty, Cation counted:
''One; two: three-frei'
Ny pistol exploded, the charge striking
the limb above him, and l staggered backA
ward, my hat torn from my head, a white
line cut through my hair and a thin trickle
of blood upon my temple l saw Cation
rushing toward me, his face filed with
anxiety, and then Brennan hurled his yet
smoking derringer into the dirt at his feet
with an oath.
''D-n it, Moorehouse" he reared fairly
beside himself, the charge was too heavy;
it overshot.'
Are you much hurt?" painted Cation.
Merely pricked the skim
Then Brennan's angry voice rang out
once more.
4 demand another shot" he insisted loud.
ly. II demand it, L tell you, Moorehouse.
This settles nothing, and l will not be
baked just because you don't know enough
to load gun"
Cation wheeled upon him, his blue eyes
blazing dangerously.
You demand a second shot?' he cried
Indignantly. Are you not aware, sir. that
Captain Wayne fired in the air? 1t would
be murder
Fired in the air. he laughed, as IL 1t
was most excellent joke. 'Of course he
did. but 1t was because my ball disconcert-
ed his aim. / nred a second the first, but
his derringer was covering me-"
Cation strobe toward him, his face white
with passion.
Let him have it his way I called after
him. for now my own blood was up. Il
shall not be guilty of such neglect again.
He did not heed me, perhaps he did not
hear.
voice trembling with feeling. Il tell you
Captain Wayne purposely shot in the air.
He informed me before coming upon the
field that he should do so. l positively re-
fuse to permit him to face your fire again"
Brennan's face blazed: chagrin. anger.
disappointment fairly Infatuated him. and
he seemed to lose all self-control. This
is some cowardly trick!" he roared. glaring
about him as if seeking some one upon
l believe my pistol was fixed to overshoot
in order to save that fellow. / never miss
ed such shot before"
Moorehouse broke in upon his raving, SO
astounded at these Incorporate words as
to stutter in his speech.
DIDO you d-dare to in-insinute, Major
Brennan he began, that | have" he
paused, his mouth wide open, staring to-
ward the shed. Involuntarily we glanced
in that direction also, wondering what he
saw. There, in the open doorway, in ..
frame. dressed almost entirely in white,
her graceful figure and fair young face
clearly defined against the dark back
ground, stood Edith Brennan.
Go ne continued tomorrow