Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-07-13
By RANDALL PARRISH

~ War Story

"Please. gentlemen. do not quarrel,
stand between you"
Lieutenant King is very slow in de-
livering his weapons said Donald
quietly. He has perhaps forgotten l
am the victor here
The words were plainly a threat. but
it was the look in her eyes that decid-
ed me.
You overpowered me with your
strength" I returned coldly, but the
only one / have surrendered to in this
house is Miss Denslow- l give her my
weapons. not you
"Oh. as you please" his lips still
smiling. Jean. dear. disarm the fell
low and let us get at other work.
Jean. DEAR" The words stung. they
were so coolly uttered, so redolent of
endearment. yet as she held out her
hands l placed my revolvers in them,
noting the flush upon her clear cheek.
the sudden dropping of lashes over her
eyes l felt that / understood it all
now. my heart heavy from the discov-
ery-her dislike of Calvert Dunn arose
from her love for Jem Donald. 1 had
been a fool, dreaming the bright.
tinted dreams Of fool But would
keep that secret to myself; neither
he nor she should ever know.
And now that 1 am disarmed,
Colonel Donald. what do you propose
doing with me?'
AS you are Miss Denslow's prfs-
oner, rather than mine" he answered
carelessly. Il propose doing nothing
more serious than to see you do not
escape. She. 1 believe. has placed you
upon parole within the limits of this
house. Is this true, Jean?"
She lifted her eyes to his face as If
to read his real purpose behind the
kindly banter of his voice; then. smil-
ing, glanced at me-
Yes, paroled. on the word of an
officer and gentleman"
Good, l accept the same. believing
lieutenant King will Justify my faith
Now let US work together and search
the house. beginning with the library.
We passed into the dimly lighted
room together. but l permitted the
two to advance. thinking it best not
TO arouse the vitriolic tongue of the
judge and hence keeping well back
within the shadows. His was
strange posture in which 10 sleep so
long. his head lying sideways upon
toward the light. Suddenly Jean ut
tered Il startled cry. so full of alarm
as TO cause me to leap forward
saw Donald lift the head of the old
man. then drop it and stare about in
dazed bewilderment. The man was
dead-dead. with a knife wound in the
throat.
We realized the truth. all of US at
the same moment. yet were unable to
comprehend its full significance. star
ing first at the dead man and then
into enc another's faces in Devil
derment beyond expression. To me it
came like Il fresh accusation. new
link in the chain binding me Dead,
Killed in the same manner and by the
same hand that had stricken down Ma
varre!
saw the girl drop upon her knees,
buryinc her face upon the nearest
chair: then Donald. with lips firm set
and white face. lifted the emaciated
form tenderiy. crossed the room with
it in his arms and placed il outstretcn-
ed upon the sofa For moment of
silence he stood there moticnless. gaz-
ing down upon the CHASTITY counte-
nance. his shoulders bent. his giant
form casting shapeless shadow upon
the wall Then he turned and looked
me sternly. searchingly in the eyes
what have you to say to this:" he
questioned bluntly- pointing with one
hand back at the body. IF you have
been on guard. sir. how could this
have happened?''
The deed must have been done be-
fore | was released When first look
ed in here Judge Dunn rested in the
same position in which you found
hi-