The Irish standard., 1911-12-23
l simply yield to the inevitable.


ficiently we'll so as not to attribute
them to cowardice. shall face him ex.
actly in accordance with your ar.
engagements, asking nothing upon my
part, yielding him every satisfaction
he can possibly desire-but l shall
fire in the air."
He stared at me incredulously, his
face perfect picture of amazement.
! But, Wayne" he stammered, ARE you
aware that Major Brennan is an ex.
pert with the pistol? that he holds the
Sixth Corps trophy? Do you realize
that he goes out deliberately intending
to kill you?"
II was not posted as to the first fact
you mention, but have never enter
tanned the slightest doubt as to tho
other. However, they do not in the
least affect my decision. Yet do not
desire you to suppose that am at all
quixotic In this-there Is personal
reason why I am perfectly willing to
risk my life rather than injure Major
Brennan"
His troubled eyes studied me intent
ly, and then his face suddenly bright
ened with new thought. Wayne"
he asked, placing his hand upon my
arm Familiarity, "is it Mrs. Brennan?"
For an instant I hesitated, but his
manly, honest countenance treasured
me. Between US only, it u.s." l an
swered gravely; "but not the slightest
blame attaches to her."
I II do not wholly understand" he
said at last, yet do not doubt you
may be perfectly right in your de-
cision." He extended his hand i'm.
pulsively. Il know you to be good
+! soldier and true gentleman: will
stand by you, Wayne, but pledge this
If he takes advantage treacherous-
ly, and you fall (as God forbid!) I will
face him myself; and when do, there
will be no firing in the air"
do not remember that we spoke,
save once, while we passed out
through the orchard field where the
big tobacco shed stood. Not until we
turned the corner Of the great ram.
shackle building, which in other and
more prosperous days had been dedi-
Gated to the curing of the leaf, did
we perceive any signs Of the presence
Of OF antagonists. They were stand.
ing upon the further side, directly op.
posite the door, and both bowed slight
ly as we approached. The Captain
came toward us slowly.
1t is to be greatly regretted, gen.
tlemen," he said. with ceremonious po
likeness. that we have no surgeon
with us. However, neither contestant
has any advantage in this respect
Lieutenant Cation, may ask If the ar
rangements as already completed have
proven satisfactory to your princi-
pal?"
Entirely so.'
"Then If you will kindly step this
way moment we will confer as 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 a cigar curled lag
lily above his head. glanced toward
him, and then sought to nmuse 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 the affair
settled as speedily as possible. was
aroused by Moorehouse's 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"
noted Brennan throw away the
stump of his cigar, and then I walked
slowly forward until I reached the
point assigned me. My heart was beat
ing fast now, for fully realized the
probabilities of the next few minutes,
and felt little doubt that serious in.
jury, II not death, was to be my por-
ton. Yet my trained nerves did not
fall me, and outwardly l appeared
fully as cool and deliberate as my op.
ponent. Years of constant exposure to
| poAA III OVSly AOI IldO ylSluOu lilo II
grim philosophy Of fatalism that now
stood me in ! ost excellent stead. In.
deed, 1 doubt not, had I chosen to put
1t to the test, my hand would have
proven the ste adler of the two, for
Brennan's face was flushed, and he
plainly exhibited the intense animos.
ity with which he confronted me.
How peculiar the mind often op-
crates in such moments OF exciting
suspense. I recall remarking very
slight stoop in Brennan's shoulders
which I had never perceived before,
remember wondering where Moore.
house had ever discovered a tailor to
give 20 shocking fit to his coat, and
finally I grew almost interested in
two birds perched upon the limb Of
a tree opposite where 1 stood. even
smiled to myself over a Jest one of
the young officers had made an hour
before. Yet with 1t all l remained
| keenly obseryant and fl1l1v aware If