Putnam patriot., 1912-06-07


 " to have brought you here for noth- ing, Tom
 Wait" said Mahaffy, planting him. self squarely before Fentress.
 T consider this comic episode at an end," and Fentress pocketed his watch
 "Scarcely." rejoined Mahafry. His long arm shot out and the open palm of his hand descended on the col onel's face. T am here for my friend" he said grimly.
 The eolonels face paled and col cred by turns.
 Have you a weapon?" he asked, when he could command his voice. Mahaffy exhibited the pistol he had carried to Belle Plain the day be- fore.
 Step of 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 at tack"
 Mr. Ware accepted this statement with equanimity. not to say indiffer- ence.
 Are you ready?e he asked; he glanced at Mahaffy, who by a slight inclination of the head signitied that he was. T reckon you're a green hand at this sort of thing?' comment ed Tom evilly.
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 Well, listen: I shall count, one, two, three; at the word three you will fire Now take your positions
 Mahaffy and the colonel stood fac ing each otber, distance of twelve paces separating them Mahafy was pale but logged; he eyed Fentress unfinchingly Quick on the word Fen tress fired, an instant later Mahary's pistol exploded; apparently neither bullet had taken effect, the two men maintained the rigid attitude they had assumed; then Mahaffy 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 1t were held down by some fn- visible weight.
 A hush spread across the field It 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 a tortured smile, watched Mahaffy as he panted for breath, with his hand clenched against his breast. That dead, oppres- sive silence lasted but a moment; from out of it 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 of The judge midway of the meadow roared out 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 Mahafy 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, Solomonl" And the judge knelt beside him.
 Its all right, Price; I kept your appointment" whispered Mahany; a bloody spume was gathering on his lips. and he stared up at his friend with glassy eyes.
 In very shame the judge hid his face tn his hands, while sobs shook him.
 "Solomon-Solomon, why did you do this?" he cried miserably.
 The harsh lines on the dying mans face erased themselves.
 You're the only friend I've known in twenty years of loneliness. Price. I've loved you like a brother" he panted, with 2 pause between each word.