Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-04-10
Copyvigh1. by A. G. MeClurx 4 Co
Rnsere6 q Ssaeloo0'o HALL Loodoo

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 OPP
posite the door, and both bowed slight
~ as We approached. The Captain
came toward us slowly.
1T 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 l ask if the ar
engagements as already completed have
proven satisfactory to your princl-
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-
lily above his head. I glanced toward
him, and then sought to amuse myself
watching the queer antics of gray
squirrel on the fence rail beyond. I
Eelt no desire for further thought, only
an intense anxiety for them to hurry
the preliminaries, and have the affair
settled as speedily as possible. l was
aroused by Moorehouse's rather nasal
voice.
"Gentlemen, will you please take
your positions. Major Brennan, you
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 away the
stump Of his cigar, and then I walked
slowly forward until I reached the
point assigned me. My heart was beat
Ing fast now, for fully realized the
and felt little doubt that serious in
Jury, II not death, was to be my por-
ton. Yet my trained nerves did not
TAIL me, and outwardly I 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, doubt not, had 1 chosen to put
1t to the test, my hand would have
proven the steadier of the two, for
Brennan's face was flushed, and he
plainly exhibited the intense animos-
lty with which he confronted me-
How peculiar the mind often op-
crates In such moments of exciting
suspense. recall remarking a very
slight stoop in Brennan's shoulders
which I had never perceived before,
remember wondering where Moore
house had ever discovered a tailor to
give so shocking a fit to his coat, and
finally I grew almost interested in
two birds perched upon the limb Of
a tree opposite where stood. I even
smiled to myself over jest one Of
the young officers had made an hour
before. Yet with it all I remained
keenly observant and fully aware Of
each movement made by the others on
the field. I saw Cation accept the der
ringer handed him and test it care
fully, the long, slim, blue barrel look
Ing deadly enough as he held it up be-
tween me and the sky. Then Moore
house approached Brennan with it's
fellow in his grasp, and the Lieutenant
crossed over, and stood beside me.
Here is the gun, Wayne" he
side, "and I sincerely hope you
have changed your decision. There is
no mercy in Brennan's eyes,"
$50 I notice." I answered, taking
the derringer from him, and examining
1t with some curiosity, "but I shall do
as / said, nevertheless. It is not any
sentiment of mercy feel which spares
him, but duty that appeals to me
even more strongly than hate"
by Heaven, I wish it were other.
wise."
''Who gives the word?" questioned
II do; are you ready?"
Perfectly"
I held out my hand, and his fingers
closed upon it with warm, friendly
grip. The next moment Brennan and
stood, seemingly alone, facing each
other, as mOtionless 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 Cation, and J
marked the tremor H. 4is voice.
Are you both ready, gentlemen?'
II am" said Brennan.
Ready" I replied.
1.-THE word will be one, two, three
3 IRE; with q slight pause after the
three. A report from either pistol be-
fore the final word is spoken shall
take personally. Be prepared now"
Ready" said the voice once more
and as I saw Brennan's arm slowly
rise, lifted mine also, and covered
him. noting, as !. did so. almost in won
der. with what steadiness of nerve
and wrist held the slender gauge
1ust beneath the visor of his cap. De
uberately. as though he dreaded thu
necessity, Cation counted:
zone: two; three-fire!"