Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-26

eneYs, "that we have no surgeon
ith us. However. neither contestant
al any advantage In this respect.
Lieutenant Cation. may I ask II the ar
,angements as already completed have
proven satisfactory to your princi.
pal?"
Entirely So"
"Thsn II you will kindly step this
way moment W. will confer ~ to
certain details
Brennan was leaning in negligent
attitude against the side Of the build.
Ing, his eyes fastened upon the ground.
the blue smoke Of cigar curled Lag.
lily above his head. I glanced toward
him. and then sought to amuse myself
watching the queer antics Of a gray
squirrel on the fence rail beyond. I
felt no desire for further thought, only
an intense anxiety for them to hurry
the preliminaries. and have tho affair
settled as speedily as possible. was
aroused by Moorehouses rather nasal
voice.
Gentlemen, will you please take
your positions. Major Brennan, you
will stand three PAGES to the right
Of that sapling. facing directly south
Captain Wayne, kindly walk straight
west from the shed door until you
come opposite the Majors position"
I noted Brennan throw away the
stump Of his cigar, and then / walked
slowly forward until reached the
point assigned me. My heart was beat
ing fast now. for fully realized the
probabilities of tho next few minutes.
and felt little doubt that serious in
jury. if not death, was to be my per
ton. Yet my trained nerves did not
tail me, and outwardly appeared
fully as cool and deliberate as my op-
nonent. Years OF constant exposure to
peril in every form had yielded me q
grim ph,locophy OF fatalism that now
stood mo in most excellent stead. In
deed, doubt not, had chosen to put
t to the test. my hand would have
proven the steadier OF the two, for
Brennan's face was flushed, and he
plainly exhibited the intense animos-
ty with which he confronted me.
How peculiar the mind often op-
crates in such moments Of exciting
suspense. I recall rema-kinE a very
slight stoop in Brennan's shoulders
which had never perceived before,
II remember wondering where Moore.
house had ever discovered tailor to
give 30 shocking At to his coat. and
finally I grow almost interested in
two birds perched upon the limb Of
a tree opposite where stood I even
smiled to myself over q Jest one Of
tbs young officers had made an hour
before. Yet with it all remained
keenly observant and fully aware q
each movem emit made by the others on
the field. l saw Cation accept the der
ringer handed him and test it care
fully, the long, slim, blue barrel look
ing deadly enough as he held it up be-
tween me and the sky. Then Moore
house approached Brennan with its
fellow in his grasp. and the Lieutenant
crossed over, and stood beside me-.
Here is the gun. Wayne" he
side, "and I sincerely hope you
have changed your decision. There IS
no mercy in Brennan's eyes"
so I notice" answered. taking
the derrinser from him. and erawinins
It with some curiosity, "but snail do
as said. nevertheless. 1t is not any
sentiment Of mercy feel which spares
him, but duty that appeals to me
even more strongly than hate"
'tBy Heaven, I'wish 1t were other
wise"
who sives the word!"1 Questioned
II do; are you rsady!"
Perfectly"
held out my hand, and his fingers
closed upon 1t with warm. friendly
grip. The next moment Brennan and
I stood. seemingly alone, facing each
other, rs motionless as two statues.
His coat was buttoned to the throat,
his cap-yisor pulled low over his eyes.
his pistol hand hanging straight down
at his side, his gaze never waverins
from me. I knew be was cooily. de-
liberately measuring the distance be-
tween us with as deadly purpose as
any murderer. The almost painful
stiffness was broken by Cation, and I
marked the tremor in his voice.
"Are you both ready, gentlemen"
" am" said Brennan.
Ready" replied.
1.-THE word will be one. two, three
IRE; with a slight pause after tho
three. A report from either pistol be-
fore the final word II spoken shall
take personally. Be prepared now"
Ready" said the voice once more;
and as l saw Brennan's arm slowly
rise, lifted mine also, and covered
him, noting, as did so, almost In won
der, with what steadiness OF nerve
and wrist I held the slender gauge
just beneath the visor OF his cap. De-
liberately. as though he dreaded tho
necessity, Cation counted:
zone: two; three-fre!"
My pistol exploded, the charge strik-
Ing the limb above him. and l stag
gered backward. my hat torn from my
head, q white line cut through my hair
W waa&iS;N ( = 800
:! 20 '5,|