Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-29


prsed."
"And for the punishment of such transgression,
nature has implanted in the breast of every man
an instinct an Unwritten Law, which provides
retribution for the crime. folloDed him to
Frankfort ;-dnd-I Slea0 him1i"
"You killed hin1?" They both asked with one
breath astonished
"I killed him. I demanded from him what the
world calls honorable satisfaction, in order to con-
ceal from the world the motive for the deed. This
he refused then sought him in his accustomed
places to pick a quarrel and forced a challenge
from him. He had left town.
"That night, snow beginning to rail-, ~
mained in the Office of the tavern discussing with
several of my friends who dropped in, the poll
tcal ISSUE naturally, since that is the one absorb
ing topic in the mind of everybody.
From one of them learned, incidentally that
Steale was banqueting his friends that night An
other dropping in later remarked that Steales
house was illuminated from top to bottom; enter
tanning his friends 1t made no special impression
upon me beyond the fact that Steale had returned.
Soon the office was deserted; all had gone out to
see the torch light procession save myself.
about nine o'clock 1 retired to my room, and
worn out with anxiety about my wife, and the
stress under which labored, l threw myself upon
the bed and fell into a troubled sleep, from which
| awoke with a start about eleven o'clock my
mind fixed upon Steale's banquet.
"'They are all leaving about now, was my hrst
thought. My second-there can be no better time
than this to catch him at ome;-alone.'
"I arose quickly and being already dressed was
1
thought the matter we'll over, and 1t seemed to
me that there was other recourse. Steale be-
ing aware of my purpose, would not only be
upon guard himself at all times, but would no
doubt seek some advantage by which he might at
the first opportunity rid himself of so dangerous
an adversary who held not only his l1fe but his
honor also in his hands. felt instinctively that
now was my time to settle the matter upon my
terms, not his, and this much I owed my wife,
myself independent of the more serious grievance.
81 looked out of my window and saw that there
quite fall of snow, covering the ground
completely Being always careful about little
things l buttoned a light overcoat-which l mad
thus far had occasion to use in Frankfort
close up to my chin, the collar covering my
ears. and my heavy overshoes.
"The household by this time was wrapped in
Sleep so had no difficulty in leaving the hos
telrie unobserved, by side door which left
unlocked behind me.
"a light snow was still falling, and the streets
were deserted. l reached Steale's without meet
ing anyone in time to witness the arrival of
the latest guests 1 watched in the shrubbery
until the way was clear.
"In my pocket l carried the little pistols which
l had taken from Marguerite's desk, and two even
bladed knives, such are used by gentlemen in
travelling, as a means of defense. l did not de-
sire to take any advantage of him nor allow him
to have any advantage over me.
"I waited in the shrubbery until l saw the
guests upon the balcony, awaiting the arrival of
the procession; then l knew that my time had
come.
"The snowfall deadened any possible sound
of my footsteps as approached the house. my
arm nerved for the blow l meant to infict; my
heart more keenly alive to the possibilities of
being forced to declare the of the deed than
to the probability of the loss of my own life One
of us must die!
my knock upon the door answered by
Col Steale in person; thinking, perhaps it was
one of the guests arriving.
Startled he stepped back, exclaiming-under
his breath,
"tDdrTGH? You here?