Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-21
CHAPTER xxx1v Continued,

He began to watch for the coming of
the dawn, but before the darkness
lifted he had risen from the bed and
gone down stairs, where he made him.
self cup of wretched coffee. Then
he blew out his candle and watched
the gray light spread. He was i'm.
patient now to be on, and fully an hour
before the sun, set out for Boggs', q
tall, gaunt figure in the shadowy un.
certainty of that October morning. He
was the first to reach the place of
meeting, but he had scarcely entered
the meadow when Fentress rode up,
attended by Tom Ware. They dis.
mounted, and the colonel lifted his hat.
Mahaffy barely acknowledged the 81.
lutte; he was in no mood for courtesies
that meant nothing. Ware was clearly
of the same mind.
There was an awkward pause, then
Fentress and Ware spoke together in
q low tone. The planters speech was
broken and hoarse, and his heavy
bloodshot eyes were the eyes Of q
haunted man; this was all q part of
Fentress scheme to face the world, and
Ware still believed that the fires Hicks
had kindled had served his desperate
need. - @
When the first long shadows stole
out from the edge Of the woods Fen.
tress turned to Mahaffy, whose glance
was directed toward the distant corner
of the field where he knew his friend
must first appear. i.,,.
"Why are we waiting, sir?" he de.
handed, his tone cold and formal.
Something has occurred to detain
Price," answered Mahaffy. ii
The colonel and Ware exchanged
looks. Again they spoke together,
while Mahaffy watched the road. Ten
minutes slipped by in this manner, and
once more Fentress addressed Ma
haffy. T.
do you know what could have de.
tanned him." he inquired, the ghost of
a smile curling his thin lips. -.
II DON'T" said Mahaffy, and relapsed
into moody and anxious silence. He
held dueling in very proper adherence
ar.l only his feeling of intense but
never declared loyalty to his friend
had brought him there. IT,,
Another interval Of waiting sue
ceeded. 49,.
II nave aDOut IcACAou IAo SAAN VI tAAJ
patience; I shall wait just ten min
utes longer" said Fentress. and drew
out his watch. 49, ~ g.
Something has happened began
Mahaffy. IA II. .:, =.
II have kept my engagement; he
should have kept his" Fentress con
tinued, addressing Ware. II am sorry
to have brought you here for nothing,
Tom" -. 49,. &. - z,S<1
"Wait!" said Mahaffy, planting him
self squarely before Fentress.
IT consider this comic episode at an
end" and Fentress pocketed his
watch.
p, Scarcely" rejoined Mahaffy. His
long arm shot out and the open palm
OF his hand descended on the colonels
face. II am here for my friend" he
said grimly.
The coloners face paled and colored
by turns.
Have you weapon?" he asked,
when he could command his voice.
Mahaffy exhibited the pistol he had
carried to Belle Plain the day before.
"Step of the ground, Tom Fen
tress spoke quietly. When Ware had
done as he requested, the colonel spoke
again. "You are my witness that |
was the victim of an unprovoked at
tack" ..,.. .r ~, ,ss.
Mr.. Ware accepted this statement
with equanimity, not to say indif-
ference. 4y- E
"Are you ready?' he asked he
glanced at Mahaffy, who by slight in.
clination Of the head signifed that he
was. II reckon you're a green hand
at this sort of thing commented Tom
evilly. ..s5 &
yes" said Mahaffy tersely.
"Well, listen: I shall count, one,
two. three: at the word three you will
fire. Now take your positions.
Mahaffy and the colonel stood facing
each other, q distance of twelve PAGES
separating them. Mahaffy was pale
but dogged, he eyed Fentress unflinch-
inxly. Quick on the word Fentress
fred, an instant later Mahaffy's pistol
exploded: apparently neither bullet had
taken effect. the two men maintained
the rigid attitude they had assumed;
then Mahaffy was seen to turn on his
heels, next his arm dropped to his side
and the pistol slipped from his fingers,
a look of astonishment passed over his
face and left it vacant and staring
while his right hand stole up toward
his heart: he raised it slowly, with
dificulty. as though 1t were held down
by some invisible weight.
A hush spread across the field. 1t
was like one Of natures invisible tran
sitions. Along the edge of the woods
the song Of birds was stricken into
silence. Ware, heavy-eyed-Fentress,
his lips twisted by a tortured smile,
watched Mahaffy as he painted for
breath. with his hand clenched against
his chest. That dead oppressive silence
lasted but moment, from out OF it
came.a cry that smote on the wounded
mans ears and reached his conscious
ness.
.It's Price" he gasped, his words
bathed in blood, and he pitched for
ward on his face.
Ware and Fentress had heard the
cry, too, and running to their horses
threw themselves into the saddle and
galloped off. The Judge midway of
the meadow roared out a furious pro-
test but the mounted men turned into
tel :~6%