Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1912-04-25

ton. Yet my trained nerves did not
fail me, and outwardly / appeared
fully as cool and deliberate as my OPP
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. l doubt not, had l chosen to put
1t to the test, my hand would have
proven the steadier Of the two, for
Brennan's face was flushed, and hs
plainly exhibited the intense animos-
ity with which he confronted me.
How peculiar the mind often OPP
crates In such moments of exciting
suspense. I recall remarking a very
slight stoop in Brennan's shoulders
which l had never perceived before,
l remember wondering where Moore
house had ever discovered a tailor to
give SO shocking a ft to his coat, and
finally l grew almost interested in
two birds perched upon the limb OF
a tree opposite where l stood. even
smiled to myself over a jest one OF
the young officers had made an hour
before. Yet with it all / remained
keenly observant and fully aware OF
each movement made by the others on
the field. l saw Cation accept the der
ringer handed him and test 1t care
fully, the long, slim, blue barrel look
ing deadly enough as he held 1t up be-
tween me and the sky. Then Moore
house approached Brennan with its
fellow In his grasp, and the Lieutenant
crossed over, and stood beside me.
Here is the gun, Wayne" he
said, "and l sincerely hope you
have changed your decision. There is
no mercy in Brennan's eyes,"
$50 l notice." l answered, taking
the derringer from him, and examining
1t with some curiosity, "but / shall do
as I said, nevertheless. It is not any
sentiment of mercy I feel which spares
him. but a duty that appeals to me
even more strongly than hate"
by Heaven, I wish it were other
wise"
Who gives the word?" I questioned.
II do; are you ready?"
Perfectly"
held out my hand, and his fingers
closed upon 1t with warm, friendly
grip. The next moment Brennan and
stood, seemingly alone, facing each
other, as m~otionless as two statues.
His coat was buttoned to the throat,
his cap-visor pulled low over his eyes,
his pistol hand hanging straight down
at his side, his gaze never wavering
from me. l knew he was coolly, de-
liberately measuring the distance be-
tween us with as deadly a purpose as
any murderer. The almost painful
stiffness was broken by Cation. and I
marked the tremor in his voice.
Are you both ready. gentlemen"
II am" said Brennan.
Ready" I replied.
"The word will be one, two, three.
fire; with a slight pause after the
three. A report from either pistol be-
fore the final word is spoken I shall
take personally. Be prepared noE."
Ready" said the voice once more;
and as I saw Brennan's arm slowly
rise, 1 lifted mine also, and covered
him, noting, as I did SO, almost in won
der, with what steadtness Of nerve
and wrist l held the slender gauge
Just beneath the visor of his cap. De-
l~iberately, as though he dreaded the
necessity, Cation counted:
zone; two; three-ire!"
My pistol exploded, the charge strik-
ing the limb above him, and l stag
gered backward, my hat torn from my
head, a white line cut through my hair
and a thin trickle of blood upon my
temple. I saw Cation rushing toward
me, his face filled with anxiety, and
then Brennan hurled his yet smoking
derringer into the dirt at his feet with
an oath.
CTo BE CoNTINUED)