The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1910-07-30

giant trees through which fugitive
sunbeams flickered. 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 consequent sud-
den and unexpected meeting. he could
not see Kirby. and for moment the
fears of an elaborately planned am
buscade arose in his unworthy mind.
Indeed. the setting offered many in
ducements to one who. Ike himself.
might entertain such laudable pur-
pose.
These momcntary misgivings were.
however, abruptly dispeled. for from
far down the path Kirby's 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 he
faced the trees on his right. Thus he
presented the smallest possible surface
to his advancing foe. Although the
articles of agreement called for mu-
tual and simultaneous advance. he was
aware that it is easier to fire from a
fixed platform. and he consequently
deliberately halted. his left shoulder
thrown forward and the pistol level
with his eve. He could now discern
Kirby. who. unmindful Of all tactical
or strategic advantage. came saunGer-
ing toward him. the right hand dan
Cling carelessly ut his side. He was
whistling. but had Moreau been nearer
ne would have noted the sinister line
running from nose to mouth and the
fxity of purpose in the brooding ey es.
all of which belied the CHEEKY carol.
Moreau. standing like rock which
disputed the others progress. waited
and watched Once he made a sudden,
violent movement In the hope OF
drawing Kirby's fire. but the latter.
never needing continued his seeming
ly careless advance. On he came. thir-
ty paces twenty. and still no sign
from either man; fifteen. and Mo
4 reau's hand whitened at the knuc-
kles and his head came slowly down
as he impaled the other on the sights
of his pistol On came Kirby. still
whistling. as II on a pleasure stroll
I the right hand still dangling carelessly
ut his side.
The nervous tension was fast grow
Ing unbearable Moreau's nose looked
pnched, aud the breath whistled
through II. On came Kirby : ten
PAGES, and sudden throb of fame
leaped from Moreau's pistol, followed
by whirling wreath of smoke and &
reverberating crash. He reeled from
the heavy charge. AT the same mo
ment Kirbys listless hand swept up
and without breaking step he fired.
The drifting smoke parted In shreds
and streamed away. The startled
crows had ceased cawing. and of
somewhere bluejay ventered to tim
idly call its nlnr" Once more the coo
serenity had descended upon the duel
Ing oaks. Kirby was still advancing
but Colonel Moreau. giving littl,
cough. hesitated moment, then fel
prone. small blue indentation disfg
uring the purity of his lofty forehead.
Cameo Kirby looked gravely dowr
upon the body of his late enemy; thel
as gravely be parted the trees and
with bowed head. slowly threaded BIZ
way toward the distant town.
Kirby had not long left the scene O
conflict before Tom Randall, comm,
from an almost Numerically opposit,
direction, burst into the grove ant
tripped headlong over the lifeless forn
OF Colonel Moreau. Recovering him
self. the boy stared In Mortified amaze
ment ut what he had never expecte,