Middletown transcript., 1912-02-03

shed, spot entirely removed from OBJ
servation. l have been compelled to
accept pistols as the weapons, as we
have nothing else here at all suitable
for the purpose-cavalry sabers being
far too cumbersome. Lieutenant Starr
chances to possess two derringers ex-
actly alike, which we have mutually
agreed upon. 1 hope this is satisfac-
tory to you, Wayne?"
Il am not precisely an expert, but
that does not greatly matter. Who acts
for Brennan?"
Captain Moorehouse, rather against
his will, think"
VERY well, Cation; I am perfectly
satisfied, and am, indeed, greatly
obliged to you; yet before we go out
desire to speak a word or two with
the utmost frankness." l stood facing
him, my hand resting lightly upon
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. If
they are in any way unsatisfactory to
your mind you may feel at perfect Lbs
erty to withhold your services. / am
now, and always have been, opposed
to dueling; l believe it wrong in prin-
eiple, and trayesty upon justice; but
It Is q custom of the South, a require
ment among officers Of our army, and
after what has just occurred between
Major Brennan and myself I cannot
honorably refuse any longer to go out,
Major Brennan has deliberately placed
me in a position whers / cannot avoid
meeting him without losing all stand.
Ing In my corps. l sought to escape,
but was prevented by accident; now
simply yield to the inevitable
feel confident you will not misconstrue
ese words YOU surely know me SUI
ficiently well so as not to attribute
them to cowardice. I 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 1 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
j Sixth Corps trophy? Do you realize
! that he goes out deliberately intending
to kill you?"
Il 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 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
~, and then his face suddenly bright
ened with a new thought. Wayne"
he asked, placing his hand upon my
arm familiarly, 'is it Mrs. Brennan?"
For an instant 1 hesitated, but his
manly, honest countenance reassued
me. Between us only, it is" an
swered gravely; but not the slightest
blame attaches to her"
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. II know you to be a good
soldier and a true gentleman; win
stand by You, Wayne, but I pledge this
If he takes advantage treacherous-
iv opd v0r, foII (.e Nad ForbidIN 7 v,iII
face him myself; and when 1 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 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.
ut 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 I 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 a 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 cigar curled laz-
ny ABOVE his head. I glanced toward !
nlm' and then sought to amuse myself |
watching the queer antics of a gray
squirrel on the fence rail beyond. |
lelt no desire for further thought, only
an intense anxiety for them to hurry
the preliminaries, and have the affair
settfed as speedily as possible. was
aroused by Moorehouse's rather nasal
voice 4-s,,ss-4
Gentlemen, will you please take
your positions. Major Brennan. Won
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 awav the
stump Of his cigar, and then 1 walked
slowly forward until 1 reached the
point assigned me- My heart was beat
ing fast new, for 1 fully realized the
probabilities Of the next few minutes
and felt little doubt that serious in.
Jury, II not death, was to be my DOR.
ton. Yet my trained nerves did not
fail me, and outwardly I appeared
fully as cool and deliberate as my op-
ponent. Years Of constant exposure to
peril In every form had yielded me a
grim philosophy Of fatalism that now
stood me in most excellent stead. In
deed, doubt not, had l chosen to put
1t to the test, my hand would have