Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-30

In the moonlight Bennett could see the young
fellows face, and il appeared transhgured. The
weak look that had always annoyed him was
gone from about the mouth and in its place was
snarling hate. But this presently gave way,
and there came a boyish, tender yearnng look
that told little of what he felt for the woman
he had left. Bennett tried to say a quietng
word.
Maybe you blame yourself too much. She
should have been frank with you"
"She wax. Open as the day. She told me
there had been another in her thought, but that
there had never been any words between them,
and he had gone away; but that if took her |
must know that she had once felt kindly toward
him, and that if he had asked her she might
have been his wife. Fool that / was / glad
to take her. on any terms. / had confidence in
myself you see, and thought could make her all
mine.
Deane fumbled something in his hand, and,
coming toward Bennett, reached it out to him,
half diffidently. The latter saw that it was a
portrait, and glanced at it, at first not with
much interest. Then he held it SO that the light
shone on it more fully, and muttered an oath
as he wheeled savagely on Deane.
| "What trick is this?" he demanded. "How
did you come by this? What right have you
to be showing it to other men?" Pouring out
torrent of questions, he advanced toward Deane
with his arm uplifted, demanding answer. The
other involuntariy shrank back a step before
him.
''Why, Bennett, man, are you cRzy? Did
you hear the story have just been telling you?
That is picture of my wife"
'Your wife?" Benefits arm fell to his side.
''Your wife? This the woman you have slighted,
and left, and that you babble of to me? You
hound!" The utter contempt of his voice ex-
pressed more than mere words, and it cut the
other to the quick.
"What is it to you?" he asked, sullenly. II
should not have told you, if I had thought you
would make such row." Then he looked at his
companion again, curiously. ''What is it to
you?" he repeated
| "I will tell you what it is to me" answered
Bennett, forcing himself to speak calmly. 81
am the other one | the man you would
have killed hundred times. / am the one you
would have hunted like wild beast. / presume
you have followed me here for this, made me
your friend that you could stab me the better
with words. You dog you hound!" he hissed
again. "You would have killed me" he said, as
Deane stood silent. "Now is your time. Why
don't you Gomez he added mockingy. care
you afraid, now that stand face to face and
know each other?
A slow look of intelligence dawned upon Deanes
face-a look in which mingled horror at the fact
that confronted them, and pity for his friend He
drew a step nearer to him.
I "Good heavens!" he exclaimed DANNY, is i
true? Are you the other man?"
eyes it is true. Don't call me Danny again
That is all past, now. The world is not bi
enough for us both. Come" he said, impatiently
seeing no movement the part of the other
"you have pistol Did you understand me-?
There was hard even note in his voice, tha
had taken the place of passion. 'Did you under
stand me?p he repeated
Il can't, Bennett" whispered Deane. 'T dic
not know it was you. | never thought it.
will swear it. And can't. You saved my lif,
once. Kill me now, if you will; l guess it would
only be right"
"No. | will not murder you. I will give you
chance So-we start even again. What, yol
will not? You coward" He Missed out the last
word, and it stung and. stirred into action, al
he meant it should the man who faced him.
"a coward? You lie. We have an equal chance
You may say the word" For an instant there
was silence between them. Deane drew him
self up proudly, facing his antagonist, his pisto
ready in his hand The campfire shot up into
sudden life, throwing its full glare upon them
"You saw the word," he repeated, as Bennett
| hesitated
The latter began to count slowly: "One-twc
| I-three-
AS the fatal word fell from his lips there was
A simultaneous flash, and the report from two
pistols and yet both men stood unharmed
Bennett looked at the other for a moment
and'then flung his pistol away and came toward
Deane with outstretched hand.
"You fired in the air. he exclaimed. 81 forced
thesq quarrel on you, and you gave me the chance
to kill you"