Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-02-29

the writing table, my eyes reading his
expressive face. AS my second wish
you to comprehend fully my actions,
and the motives that inspire them. II
they are in any way unsatisfactory to
your mind you may feel at perfect lib.
erty to withhold your services. l am
now, and always have been, opposed
to dueling; l believe it wrong in prin-
clple, and travesty upon justice; but
1t is custom of the South, require
ment among officers of our army, and
after what has just occurred between
Major Brennan and myself l cannot
honorably refuse any longer to go out.
Major Brennan has deliberately placed
me In position where cannot avoid
meeting him without losing all stand.
ing in my corps. l sought to escape,
but was prevented by accident: now
I simply yield to the inevitable.
feel confident you will not misconstrue
Iese words; you surely know me suf-
ficiently we'll so as not to attribute
them to cowardice. shall face him ex-
actly in accordance with your ar
rangements, 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 a 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?"
L was not posted as to the first fact
you mention, but have never enter
tanned the slightest doubt as to the
other. However they do not in the
least affect my decision. Yet l do not
desire you to suppose that l am at all
quiXotic In this-there Is a personal
reason why 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, sis it Mrs. Brennan?"
For an instant l hesitated, but his
manly, honest countenance treasured
me. Between us only, it is" l an
swered gravely; "but not the slightest
blame attaches to her."
Il do not wholly understand" he
said at last, yet l do not doubt you
may be perfectly right in your de-
cision." He extended his hand i'm
pulsively. 81 know you to be a good
soldier and true gentleman; l will
stand by you, Wayne, but pledge this
If he takes advantage treacherous-
ly and you fall Gas God forbid!) will
face him myself; and when do, there
will be no firing in the air"
I 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 our 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. chat 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 3d."
"Then If you will kindly step this
way a moment we will confer as to
certain Details
(To Be Continued)