News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1912-06-12
The colonels face paled and col

Have you a weapon?" he asked,
Mahaffy exhibited the pistol he had
carried to Belle Plain the day be-
fore.
step off the ground, Tom" Fen
tress spoke quietly. When Ware had
done as requested, the colonel spoke
again. "You are my witness that l
was the victim of an unprovoked ct
tack"
Mr.. Ware accepted this statement
with equanimity. not to say indItfer-
erca
Are you ready?" he asked; he
glanced at Mahatty, who by a slight
inclination Of the head signitied that
he was. Il reckon you're a green
hand at this sort of thing?" comment
ed Tom evilly.
"Yes," said Mahaffy tersely.
well, listen; ! shall count, one,
two, three; at the word three you will
fire. Now take your positions"
Mahaffy and the colonel stood fac
ing each other, a distance of twelve
PAGES separating them. Mahaffy was
pale but logged he eyed Fentress
unflinchingly. Quick on the word Fen
tress fired, an instant later Mahaffys
pistol exploded; apparently neither
bullet had taken effect, the two men
maintained the rigid attitude they had
assumed; then Mahatfy was seen to
turn on his heels, next his arm drop
ped to his side and the pistol slipped
from his fingers, look of astonish-
ment passed over his face and left it
vacant and staring while his right
hand stole up toward his heart; he
raised it slowly, with difficulty, as
though it were held down by some in
visible weight
A hush spread across the field. 1t
was like one Of natures invisible
transitions. Along the edge of the
woods the song Of birds was stricken
into silence. Ware, heavy-eyed-Fen
tress, his lips twisted by tortured
smile, watched Mahaffy as he painted
for breath, with his hand clenched
against his breast. That dead, oppres-
sive silence lasted but moment;
from out of 1t came cry that smote
on the wounded mans ears and
reached his consciousness.
Its Price" he gasped, his words
bathed in blood, and he pitched for
ward on his face.
Ware and Fentress had heard the
cry, too, and running to their horses
threw themselves into the saddle and
galloped off. The judge midway Of
the meadow roared out a furious pro-
test, but the mounted men turned in
to the highroad and vanished from
sight, and the judges shaking legs
bore him swiftly in the direction OF
the gaunt figure on the ground.
Mahaffy struggled to rise, for he
was hearing his friends voice now,
the voice OF utter anguish, calling his
name. At last painful effort brought
him to his knees. He saw the judge,
clothed principally in gaily colored
bed-quilt, hatless and shoeless, his
face sodden and bleary from his
nights debauch. Mahaffy stood erect
and staggered toward him, his hand
over his wound, his features drawn
and livid, then with cry he dropped
at his friends feet.
Solomon! Solompn!" And the
Judge knelt beside him.
tits all right, Price; l kept your
whispered Mahatfy; a
bloody spume was gathering on his
lips, and he stared up at his friend
with CLASSY eyes.
In very shame the judge hid his
ace in his hands, while sobs shook
lim.
"Solomon-Solomon, why did you
10 this?" he cried miserably.
The harsh lines on the dying mans
ace erased themselves.
You're the only friend I've known
n twenty years of loneliness, Price.
we loved you like a BROTHER" he
)anted, with pause between each
word.
Again the judge buried his face in
lis hands.
Il know it, Solomon know it,"
lie moaned wretchedly.
Price, you are still man to be
with. There's the boy; take |
,our place for his sake and keep it
'ou can"
Il wildly God, l Will" gasped the |
Judge. You hear me? You hear me,
solomon? By Gods good help, WILL"
You have the presidents letter
saw it" said Mahaffy in whisper.
"Yes!" cried the judge. Solomon, |
he world is changing Tor us!"
For NE most of ALL" murmured |
and there was a bleak in
tant when the judges ashen counte
lance held the full pathos of age and
allure. Remember your oath, Price,"
Sasped the dying man. A moment OF
silence succeeded. Mahaffy's eyes
,losed, then the heavy lids slid back
lie looked up at the judge while the
larsh lines of his sour old face soft.
med wonderfully. kiss me, Price,"
lie whispered, and as the judge bent
o touch him on the brow, the soft.
med lines fixed themselves in death,
while on his lips fingered a smile that
vas neither bitter nor sneering.
CHAPTER X><XIl.