Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-29

felt no desire for further thought. only
an intense anxiety for them to hurry
the preliminaries, and have the affair
settled as speedily as possible. | was
aroused by Warehouses 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 doos until you
come opposite the Majors position"
| noted Brennan throw away the
stump of his cigar and then | walked
slowly forward until l reached the
point assigned me. My heart was beat
ing fast now, for l fully realized the
probabilities Of the next few minutes.
and felt little doubt that serious in
jury, If not death, was to be my por-
ton. Yet my trained nerves did not
fail me, and outwardly | appeared
fully as cool and deliberate as my op-
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 chosen to put
it 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 aninos.
ity with which he confronted me.
How peculiar the mind often Cd.
crates in such moments of exciting
suspense. recall remarking a very
slight stoop in Brennans shoulders
which l had never perceived before,
l remember wondering where Moore.
house had ever discovered a tailor to
give SO shocking fit to his coat, and
finally grew almost interested in
two birds perched upon the limb of
tree opposite where stood. even
smiled to myself over a Jest one of
the young officers had made an hour
before. Yet with it all l 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 it care
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 sincerely hope you
have changed your decision. There is
no mercy in Brennan's eyes"
SO l notice." I answered, taking
the derringer from him, and examining
1t with some curiosity, but shall do
as l said, nevertheless. 1t is not any
sentiment of mercy feel which spares
him, but a duty that appeals to me
even more strongly than hate"
by Heaven. l wish 1t were other
wise"
who gives the word?" l questioned.
Il do; are you ready?"
Perfectly"
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 purpose as
any murderer The almost painful
stiffness was broken by Cation, and !
marked the tremor in his voice.
Are you both ready, gentlemen"
Il am" said Brennan.
Ready" l 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 shall
take personally. Be prepared now"
Ready" said the voice once more;
and as | saw Brennans arm slowly
rise. lifted mine also, and covered
him. noting as did so, almost in won
der. with what steadiness of nerve
and wrist l held the slender gauge
just beneath the visor of his cap. De
liberately, as though he dreaded the
necessity, Cation counted:
"One; two; three--fire!"
My pistol exploded. the charge strik.
ing the limp above him, and | stag.
gered backward, my hat torn from roy
head, white line cut through my hair
and thin trickle of blood upon uy
temple. | saw Cation rushing toward
me, his face filled with anxiety, and
then Brennan hurled his yet smoking
derringer into the uirt at his feet with
an oath.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)