The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-05-25


actly in accordance with your ar
rangements. asking nothing upon my
part, yielding him every satisfaction
he can possibly desire-but | shall
fire in the air"
He stared at me incredulously, his
face a perfect picture OF amazement.
But. Wayne" he stammered, ARE you
aware that Major Brennan is an eI-
pert with the pistol? that he holds the
Sixth Corps trophy? Do you realize
that he goes out deliberately intending
to kill your"
II was not posted as TO the first fact
you mention. but have never enter
tanned the slightest doubt as to the
other. However. they do not in the
least affect my decision. Yet I do not
desire you TO suppose that am at all
quixotic in this-there Is a personal
reason why am perfectly willing to
risk my life rather than injure Major
Brennan"
His troubled eyes studied me intent
ly, and then his face suddenly bright
ened with new thought. Wayne"
he asked. placing his hand upon my
arm Familiarity, is II Mrs Brennan"
For an instant | hesitated, but his
manly. honest countenance treasured
me- Between us only, II U.s." ] an
swered gravely: but not the slightest
blame attaches TO her"
Il do not wholly understand" he
said al last, yet ! do not doubt you
may be perfectly right in your de.
cision." He extended his hand Inn
pulsively Il know you TO be good
soldier and true gentleman; ! Will
stand by you, Wayne. but pledge this
If he takes advantage treacherous-
ly, and you fall las God forbidD will
face him myself: and when do, there
will be no firing in the air"
! do not remember that we spoke,
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
ly 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 ask II the ar
engagements as already completed have
proven satisfactory to your princi-
pal?'
Entirely So"
Then II 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 glanced toward
him, and then sought TO amuse myself
watching the queer antics OF gray
squirrel on the fence rail beyond |
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 door until you
come opposite the Majors position"
/ noted Brennan throw away the
stump Of his cigar, and then I walked
slowly forward until / reached the
point assigned me My heart was beat
ing fast now, for I 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 OPP
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 steadier 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 OPP
crates In such moments OF exciting
suspense. recall remarking very
slight stoop In Brennans shoulders
which bad never perceived before.
remember wondering where Moore.
house had ever discovered a tailor TO
give so shocking a az to his coat, and
finally grew almost interested in
two birds perched upon the limb OF
tree opposite where stood even
smiled 10 myself over Jest one OF
the young officers had made an hour
before. Yet with II all remained
keenly observant and fully aware OF