Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-08-15

II
carried 70 Belle Plain the day be.
fore.
step of the ground, Tom" Ven
tress spoke quietly. When Ware had
done as requested, the colonel spoke
again. "You are my witness thaa
was the victim Of an unDrovoksd at,
tack
Mr.. Ware accepted this statement
with equanimity, not to say indiirer-
ence.
"Are you ready?" he askedi he
[ glanced at Mahafy, who By q slight
inclination OF the head signiaed that
he was. II reckon you're q green
hand at this sort q thing?" comments
ed Tom evilly.
YES" said Mahafy tersely.
We'll, listen: shall count, one,
| two, three; at the word three you wills
fire. Now take your positions"
Mahaffy and the colonel stood fac.
ing each other, O distance Of twelve
PAGES separating them. Nabany was
pale bit logged; he eyed Fentgess
unfinchingly. Quick on the word Fen
tress fred, an instant later MahRny's
pistol exploded; apparently neither
bullet had taken eject, the tWo men
maintained tho rigid attitude they had
assumed; then Maha0y was seen 70
turn on his heels, next his arm drop
ped to his side and the pistol slipped
from his fingers. a look Of astouish.
ment passed over his face and LETT is
vacant and staring while his night
hand stole up toward his heart; he
raised II slowly, with dimcuitY. ga
though it were held down by aome In
Visible weight.
A hush spread across tho Reid. il
was like one Of natures Invisible
transitions. Along the edge Of the
woods tho song of birds was stricken
into silence. Ware. heavy-eyed
tress, his lips twisted BY q tortured
smile, watched Maha0y as he painted
for breath, with his hand o,enohed
against his breast That dead. opDres-
siYo silence lasted but o moment:
from out OF It came o cry that smoto
on the wounded mans ears ami
reached his consciousness.
tits Price" ha gGsped, his words
bathed In blood, and dc pitched for
ward on his face.
Ware and Fentress had heard tho
cry, too, and running 70 their horses
threw themselves into the saddle ana
galloped or. The Judge midway Of
the meadow roared out O furious pro-
test, but the mounted men turned In
to tho highroad and vanished from
sight, and tho judges shaking legs
bore him swiftly In the direction Of
the gaunt figure on the ground.
Mahaffy struggled 20 rise. Tor no
was hearing his friends voice now.
I the voice OF utter anguish. calling his
maze. At last painful effort brought
itinI - BIS All0ga l5e s $40 e,Gs,
clothed principally Ia a gzly col0red
bod-quilt. hatless and shoalssg. his
face sodden and bleary from bis
nights debauch. Nahauy stood erect
and staggered toward him, hi9 hand
over his wound, his features drawn
and liVld. then with cry no dropped
at his friends feet
"Solomoul soIomoni" And the
Judge knelt beside him.
TITS all right. Price; kept your
appointment" whispered MahsRy. a
bloody spume Was gathering on his
lips. and hs stared W at bis friend
with CLASSY eyes.
In very shame tho Judge hid his
face in his hands. while sobs shook
him.
Solomon-Solomon why did you
do this2" he cried miserably.
The harsh lines on the dying mans
face erased themselves.
You're tho only friend I've known
in twenty years Of loneliness Price.
I've loved you like e brother" he
painted, with pause between each
word.
Again the judge buried his raoo in
his hands.
Il know II. Solomon know itl~
he moaned wretchedly.
price. you are stu a man to be
reckoned with. There's tho boyj take
your place for his sake and keep IT,
you can"
Fl wlll--by God, VIM" go ped the
Judge. You hear ma2 You hear me.
Solomon BY Gods good help, | wlllI''
you have tho presidents letter.
| saw it, said Mahaay ia q whisper.
"Yesl" cried the judge Solomon,
the world is changing Tor usl"
For me most OF al" murmured
Mahaffy. and there was bleak IN
slant when the judges ashen counte-
nance held the full pathos OF age and
failure. Remember your oath. Price,
gasped the dying man. A moment OF
silence succeeded Mahany's eyes
closed, then the heavy Ids slid back.
He looked up at the Judge while the
harsh lines of his sour old face sort
ened wonderfully. kiss me, Price,
he whispered, and as thu Judge bent
TO touch him on the brow, the soft
ened lines hxed themselves IN death,
while on his lips fingered a smile that
was neither bitter nor Bneorlng,
CHAPTER NNgfl.