Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1910-08-04

giant trees through which fugitive
sunbeams fiickeTsd shooting their
small golden arrows Of light into the
dense and rank underground. he found
some difficulty in accurately discern
ing distant objects. Although the path
was straight. thus obviating any turn
ing Of angles and a consequent sud-
den and unexpected meeting. he could
not see Kirby. and for moment the
fears Of an e!aborately planned am
buScade arose in his unworthy mind
Indeed. the setting offered many in
ducements 10 one who. like himself
might entertain such a laudable pur-
pose
These momentary mlsgivings were.
however, abruptly dispelled. for frum
far down the path Kirbys voice SUD
denly broke the silence:
Good morning. colonel. Is that
you: Are you quite ready: Stand by.
for I'm coming
Moreau instantly turned until be
faced the trees on his right Thus he
presented the smallest possible surface
to his advancing foe. Although the
articles Of agreement called for a mu
tual and simultaneous advance. he was
aware that II is easier 10 fire from a
fixed platform. and he consequently
deliberately halted. his left shoulder
thrown forward and the pistol leve,
with his eve He could now discern
Kirby. who. unmindful Of all tactical
or strategic advantage. came sauuter-
Inc toward him. the right hand dan
Cling carelessly at his side. He was
whistlinE. but had Moreau been nearer
le would have noted rhe sinister line
running from nose 10 mouth and the
txity Of purpose in the brooding ey IS,
al. OF which Uelied the CHEEKY carol.
M0reau, standing ike a rock which
disputed the others progress. waited
and watched once he made sudden.
violent movement in the hope OF
drawing kirhy's tire but the latter
never needing. continued his seeming
y careless advance On he came. thir
~ PAGES; twenty. and still no sign
from either mat; fifteen. and Mo
reau'S hand whilened al the knuc-
kles aud MS head came slowly dovs
as he lmpaled the other on the sights
OF his pistol! On came Kirby. still
whistling. as If OF a pleasure stroll.
the right hand still dangling careIessly
al his side
The nervous tension was fast grow
ing unbearable Moreau's nose looked
pinched. aud the breath whistled
through it. on came Kirby ten
PAGES. and a sudden rhrob of fame
ieaped from Moreau's pistol, followed
by whirling wreath of smoke and a
reverberating crash. He reeled from
the heavy charge. AT the same mo-
ment kirby's Iist.ess hand swept up,
and without breaking step be fired.
The drifting smoke parted in shreds
and streamed away The startled
crows had ceased cawing. and of
somewhere a bluejay ventered to tim
idly call its ma Once more the cool
serenity had descended upon the duel
ing oaks. Kirby was still advancing.
but Colonel MOreau. giving a little
cough, hesitated moment, then fell
prone, small blue indentation disfig-
uring the purity of his lofty forehead.
Cameo Kirby looked gravely down
upon the body of his late enemy; then
as grayeiy he parted the trees and.
with bowed head, slowly threaded his
way toward the distant town.
Kirby had not long left the scene of
conflict before Tom Randall. coming
from an almost diametrically opposite
direction, burst into the grove and
tripped headlong over the lifeless form
OF Colonel Moreau Recovering him
self. The boy stared in horrified amaze
ment at what he had never expected