The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-04-25

felt no desire for further thought. onl5
an intense anxiety for them to hurry
the preliminaries, and have the affair
settled as speedily as possible. Vas
aroused by Moorehousc's rather aasal
voice.
Gentlemen will you please take
| your positions. Major Brennan you
will stont three PAGES to the right
4 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 | walked
slowly forward until | reached the
point assigned me. My heart was beat
ing fast now, for | fully realized the
| probabilities OF the next few minutes
and felt little doubt that serious In
Jury, II 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 Oh
ponent Years OF constant exposure to,
peril in every form had yielded me
grim philosophy Of fatalism that now
stood me In most excellent stead In.
deed. doubt not, had ! chosen to put
II to the test my hand would have
proven the steadlur OF the two. for
Brennan's face was flushed. and he
plainly exhibited the intense animos.
ity with which he confronted me.
How peculiar the mind often op
crates in such moments of exciting
suspense. / recall remdrklng n very
slight stoop in Brcnnan's shoulders
which | had never perceived before.
| remember wondering where Moore.
house mad ever discovered tailor to
give SO shocking n Mt to bis coat, and
finally | grew almost interested in
two birds perched upon the limb OF
tree opposite where stood. even
smiled to myself over n Jest one Of
the young officers had made an hour
before. Yet with It all rema med
keenly obsorvant and fully aware OF
each movement made by the Others on
the field. saw Cation accept the der.
ringer handed him and test 1t care
fully, the long. slim, blue barrel look.
Ing deadly enough as he held II Up be-
tween me and the sky. Then Moore
house approached Brennan with its
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 ! notice." / answered, taking
the derringer from him, and examining
1t with some curiosity. but shall do
rs said, nevertheless. II is net any
sentiment Of mercy feel which spares
him, but duty that appeals 10 me
even more strongly than hate"
by Heaven. wish It were other
wise"
Who gives the word?" question:
Il do; are you ready?"
Perfectly"
] held out my hand. and his 1gers
closed upon 1t with warm. Fl endly
grip. The next moment Brennan and
| stood, seemingly alone, facing each
other, as motionless az 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 wagering
from me. | knew he was coolly, de. |
llberately 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, gentlemon?" |
81 am said Brennan.
Ready" | replied.
THE word will be one, two, three
fire; with n 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 Brennan's arm slowly
rise. lifted mine also and covered
him. noting. as did so, almost In won.
der, with what Rteadiness OF nerve
and wrist ! 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 limb above him, and stag.
gered backward my hat torn from my
head, white line cut through my hair
and a thin trickle OF blood upon my
temple. ] saw Cation rushing toward
me. his face filed with anxiety, and
then Brennan hurled his yet smoking
derringer into the dirt at his feet with
an oath.
(To RE CoNTINUED)