Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-05-16

D Colonel Moreau set out for
EEE his destination ut so vigorous
GSsS a pace that Tom Randall. who
confidently expected to dog the others
steps. was disagreeably disappointed.
for by the time he had gained the first
corner around which the estimabie de-
fender Of the family had disappeared
the latter was nowhere in sight. Pa
miliar with the city and its environs.
the boy possessed knowledge of sew.
eral time saving short cuts to the
dueling oaks. but this on the present
occasion he considered useless. for. ig-
norant Of the exact spot where the
cOmbatauts were to meet. there exist
ed no alternative but to press on in the
wake Of MOreau. who he had every
reason to believe had taken the famil-
lar and direct route. Thoroughly i'm
bued with the desire and expectation
of witnessing Kirby's death and thus
in measure Cutting his vengeance.
young Randall broke into a run. conf
dent that on turning each successive
corner he would come In sight Of the
serene and indomitable colonel. But
time and distance few by until at
length the tall trees bordering the
grove broke upon his vision, and as yet
his quarry had not been run to earth.
Momentarily perplexed and mysti.
fed. the boy turned and scanned the
way by which he had come. Could he
have In some cryptic manner passed
the other on the road. or. contrary to
all expectation. had Moreau taken the
short cut, and was he even now in the
grove face to face with Cameo Kirby?
For immediate and conclusive answer
two pistol shots ratified out. shattering
the cool serenity of the morning
and sending bevy of frightened rocks
circling and cawing high into the
brooding blue dome Of the heavens.
Cursing his ill luck. young Randall
raced furiously toward the distant
grove.
Colonel Moreau. considerably more
familiar with the town than Tom Ran
dali. had indeed availed himself Of the
shortest cut possible and one which
would lead him directly to that en-
trance the situation of which Larkin
Bunce had been at pains to explain.
No time could be wasted. for Kirby
was already there, and to keep an ad-
versary waiting smacked not only Of
cowardice. but was direct breach Of
the code regulating such affairs Of
honor. 1t was characteristic Of Mo-
reau that If left to himself he would
serenely outrage all codes by shooting
man in the back. but that when otti-
cially entered for combat-such as
on the present occasion-he punctil
iously observed both the spirit and the
letter.
Kirby living meant serious men,
ace; Kirby dead meant security and a
tighter grip on the spoils of the river
a reoccupation Of the premier position
from which he had been ousted. Bust
ness interests and his own life clam
ored for Kirby's DEATH For Bunce.
IL he grew troublesome. he would ac-
count. and he could rely on the lattcr's
remaining true to the code Of their
prOfession-carrying no tales to the
Randalls. but instead. If he considered
fit, fighting out the issue with the
slayer Of his partner. 1t can thus be
seen that Moreau in his usual opti-
mistic fashion had the future arrang-
ed entirely to his satisfaction.
Meanwhile he had cautiously entered
the shadow Of the dueling oaks and.
pistol in hand. was slowly threading
his way down the path. the weapon
cooked and resting across his left fore
arm. Thanked on either side by the
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 a consequent sud
den and unexpected meeting. he could
not see Kirby. and for moment the
fears of an deliberately planned am
buscade arose in his unworthy mind
Indeed. the setting offered many ill.,
ducements to one who. like himself.
might entertain such a laudable pur-
pose.
These momentary misgivings were.
however. abruptly dispelled. for from
far down the path Kirby's voice sud
denly broke the silence:
Good morning. colonel! Is that
your 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
10 his advancing foe. Although the
articles Of agreement called for mu-
.ual and simultaneous advance. he was
aware that it Is easier to fire from a
fxed platform. and he consequently
halted. his left shoulder
brown forward and the pistol level
with his eye He could now discern
Kirby. who. unmindful Of all tactical
n strategic advantage. came saunter-
ng toward him. the right hand dan
cling carelessly ut his side. He was
but had Moreau been nearer
,e would have noted the sinister line
uuuIuS IIOH uOSe ~ tlpulu Huu Tue
6xity Of purpose In the brooding eyes,
all Of which belied the CHEEKY carol.
MOreau. standing like u rock which
disputed the others progress. waited
and watched. Once he made u sudden,
violent movement IN the hope Of
drawing Kirby's fire. but the latter.
never bleeding, continued his seeming.
y careless advance. On he came. thir-
y PAGES: twenty, and still no sign