The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-05-27

northern army; the other was claC
In confederate gray; both were stall
wart, typical soldiers. The artist hat
caught the spirit OF the encounter; his
genius had endowed II with life, ac
ton, atmosphere. The play Of the
muscles, the expression OF the faces
the fire In the eyes OF the combatants
were wonderfully realistic. The pic
ture represented the exact moment
when the federal officer, gaining mo
mentary advantage over his adver
sary, was ending the fight by driving
his cleaning sword through the con
fcderate's body.
That painting" said Col Brant
coming up behind Challoner and look
Ing over his shoulder, rs no favorite
OF mine, II memories an episode In
my career as an army officer that
would give worlds to forget The art
list was an eyewitness OF the scene
and his portrayal is spoken of as the
work OF master, but should have
destroyed the thing long ago II my sis
ter had not begged permission to keep
II. My sister is Dorothy's Aunt Mary
you know. She fully understands
that 1t Is not to be displayed on the
wall when | am in the house, but |
suppose this is case Of forgetfulness
on her part"
He paused. but Challoner did not
speak or move. In sorrowful voice,
the colonel continued:
THE picture is calculated to perpetu-
ate the memory of a most regrettable
affair. As you probably know, one Of
the nastiest skirmishes of the war
took place only five miles from this
spot Poplaryille was in panic. But
"" managed 10 beat off the enemy.
and they were soon in full retreat.
with our boys in hot pursuit, AT the
very beginning OF the chase the horse
ridden by the young colonel OF rebel
regiment stumbled and fell. han.
| pched to be close behind this man
when the accident occurred and be.
il"Ying him to be badly hurt, quickly
dlSmountcd to render him such as.
slatance ms / might But apparently
he was not hurt ut all. With a veil
ne sprang to his feet and rushed upop
mo with drawn sword. or course.
had to defend myself. Three times
during the fierce fencing that ensued
begged him to desst and avoid nm.
necessary bloodshcd. Twice was in
hairs breadth of being killed by his
Slilliul onslaught but In the end |
was victorious, and he fell. | intend.
ed only to disable him, but, unrortu.
natcly, my blade passed clear through
his body. Six weeks he WINS I'm the
military hospital here before he
finally succumbed. and his body now
lies In the Poplarvllle cemetery. BY
the way" suddenly exclaimed the
colonel. his name was Challoner-
Col. Challoner--the same name as
yours, believe. My God, sir.
hope he was not n relative-a-a-"
The words died on his lips, for at
that moment the younger man turned
slowly around and faced him. Richard
Challoner was pale as death. his
breath came in quick, excited gasps.
his eyes shone with a fierce. vindIc.
tive glare.
He was my father!" The words
fairly Kissed through his c,enched
teeth. Il am Col. Challoner's son
And you were the man who killed him
-you--you! by God. sir, you shall
answer to me for that act!"
Col. Brant was struck dumb with
horror.
My reason for coming to Poplar.
vile to begin my business career i"
continued the young man, hoarselv
was because my father lay in vonr
cemetery here. ] wanted to be near
him-to care for his grave. | never
dreamed"
He broke OF suddenly and seemed
to restrain himself by strong effort
Then, with quick, nervous gesture
he turned on his heel, and without
trusting himself to utter another
word, he strobe from the room, At
the foot OF the stairs he met Dorothy
who was waiting for him. The sight
OF his white face and blazing ewes
startled her.
Richard! Richard" she cried
He brushed past her without an nm.
swering sign, took his hat from the |
rack, and an instant later the han |
door closed behind him.
The day which custom has set aside |
for the annual decoration of soldiers
dawned bright and beautiful.
Poplarvllle was IN holiday attire. The
air was freighted with the perfume of
llnMPrS. the hmll1inrE wnrn nnr MN