The Alaska sourdough., 1911-10-24
AN UNOFFICIAL DUEL

Lieuts Livermore and Denny, U. s. A., were boon companions. Circum- stances had ever since the war brought the Ninth Infantry and the Second Artillery to garrison at the same posts, and these two young officers found each other $ companionship to be more than usually agreeable. They were waiting at Ft Mason, San Francisco, in 1867, for an order that would put them again on the march to Ft. Chur- chill, Nevada. Little difference does it make to the soldier where he pitches his camp, so save for the trifing in convenience of ordering heavier cloth ing, change of orders detailing these two detachments to Alaska instead of Churchill hardly excited comment at the post.
 Room mates at the officers club at Sitka, Denny and Livermore settled themselves in the great log building and arranged themselves comfortably for the winter.
 Sweethearts they might have left be- hind them in San Francisco, but mem ory of such, if there were, was lost to both the young Ieutenants when they met IneZ.
 The drop of ancestral Indian blood which coursed through her veins made itself manifest in the color of her cheek, the brightness of her eyes and the grace of her carriage. Livermore and Denny both became ardent suitors for the hand of Inez. Livermore s suit was favorable in the girls eyes; and Denny soon learned that his friend was winning in the race in which they were both running.
 Denny told his story of love to the girl; told her how miserable and void life would be to him without her; but she listened with deaf ear, and told him that her heart was given to ano- ther. Livermore s words of love sank into the girl $ heart; and it was will ingly, with a happy spirit, that she said "yes' when he asked her to be his wife.
 Denny could not be persuaded that it was his duty to rejoice with his comrade in his good fortune; nor could he wish him long life and happiness. He became morose, quarrelsome and provoking. He sought other quarters and the bonds of friendship of the two young officers were cut The chasm grew between them and their every meeting provoked quarrel. Happy in his good fortune, Livermore cheerful parries to Denny's thrusts served only to more keenly antagonize the latter, and it was inevitable certain that 8 crisis was at hand.
 It is an easy matter to wound honor when honor is fiauntingly paraded in challenging attitude for attack. It may have been word; it may have been look; it may have been imagination, or it may have been purposely placed misconstruction on, chance word from Livermore which wounded Denny's sense of honor.
 fI have done nothing, have said nothing, my dear Denny, for which consider an apology necessary to you. love Inez, and know that she loves me. My suit for her hand has been fair, open and honorable. Unfortunate ly for you,, perhaps, you have failed. Why should that make enemies of uss No, I have not stepped from the path of honor and to you owe no apology.0 ?
 .'The lordly attitude, you have taken with. your morals,,' replied Denny sounds like rubbish to me- I only tell you. now, as I have communicated to you before, you will apologize or fight
 :. Denny and Livermore were granted permission by the commanding officer to leave the post. at sitka on a three days leave for hunting trip.
 Having purchased at the settlers store, articles of food to be taken on