Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-15

Strengthened up again when loud voice called, drop
that lamp
He stared in astonishment, holding the lamp out
stretched but the next instant it dashed from
his hands by rifeshot The men huddled together in
confusion and sough TO tell from what point the shot
had come; but the surprise too great and
noticed the tall figure standing in the shadow under the
boughs of the great beech
Haswell had plenty of courage, and he ordered his
rush for the other side of the barn, where they
might be sheltered from hidden marksmen, and could
vet do the thing that they had do They obeved
willingly enough Shelter was just what they wanted
The shot from the dark not only terrifying in ITSELF
but the mystery of it awed them.
Carroll them run, and his lips twisted into
smile of bitter Brave men, indeed! Brave enough
to burn widows barn; but not brave enough to face
single man and his rifle! They well armed too
All of them carried rifles or pistols AS they ran he fired
two shots One kicked up the earth under mans
heels and second whised close to the of another
He had not meant them to hit.
lust before they reached the of the barn he
caught full view of Haswell He the startled face
of the trickser and midnight criminal He remembered
she like flame before him, and the rifle sprang
again to his shoulder, with deadly intent
He had been the best sharpshooer in all the Philip
pines, and his moment had come The blood of the old
forest fighters dancing through his VEINS and
the muzze of his rifle bore squarey on Haswes heart
AS he looked down the sights the girls face laughing
and alive, hoated again before him. The muZZe of
the rifle shifted little, and he pulled the trigger Has
we'll threw up his arms cried aloud, and fell The others,
in mortal fear of their enemy, rushed for their
horses leaped upon them and galoped away. Carroll
listened the thud of hoofs grew fainter and died.
Then he heard no sound but that signing of the wind
through the trees like minor note in music He
alone with his enemy lying helpless under his hand.
SLIPPING fresh cartridges into his rifle, Carroll
~ walked toward Haswell, whom he could see, dark
shape the earth the barn. AS he approached he
heard him groan; but it not sweet to his For
brief instant he wondered why. Then he stood over
his enemy, and, looking down into his face said:
"Well, Jim, I've come back"
Haswell wounded in the shoulder; but when he
the face above him and heard the voice he turned
oa
"And you've come back from the dead to do ths!"
"Not exactly from the dead" replied Carroll; "but
I've come long way and seems that I've got here
just IN time.
~I'm at your mercy" said Haswell
@Thats l intended to shoot you through the
heart but something, think it Aices face, made
shift my aim"
He stopped, drew pistol from Haswes belt, and
threw it away Then he looked down again, and studied
the face of the fallen man."
"Well,' said Haswell, "why don't you do it,"
"I don't know"
at might be better to finish it quickly. If you were
to leave me here, I'd bleed to death, anyway
"Thats so, repeated Carroll thoughtfuly.
"I'm not asking anything of you, Tom; but you and
me quarreled about GIRL and guess men have been
quarreling about girls since the world began
Then both silent Tom Carroll in doubt.
He returned from that primitive past the present He
longer tie forest fighter: the hot blood not
His moment had and passed; but he had seized it,
and here was his enemy with whom he might do as he
chose He looked up at the high moon and the great
stars; but they gave advice. Then he remembered
Jim Haswel1's wife. WELL it had been her right to
marry she pleased.
tightly bound up the wounded shoulder. Then he lifted
the man in his carried him into the house, and put
closed the window He put pillow under Haswell's
head and brought him water. The drank long and
eagerly. Then he looked intently at Carroll.
"Why you doing tlis?" he asked.
ed lint