The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-06-06

Waltz said Mahaffy, planting him.
self squarely before Fentress.
Il consider this comic episode at
an end,' and Fentress pocketed his
watch.
"Scarcely.' rejoined Mahaffy. His
long arm shot out and the open palm
OF his hand descended on the col
oners face. Il am here for my
FRIEND he said grimly.
The colone's face paled and COL
ored 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 b
fore.
Step off 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?" he asked; he
glanced at Mahaffy, who by slight
inclination of the head signitied that
he was. Il reckon you're green
hand at this sort of thing?" comment
ed Tom evilly.
"Yes." said Mahaffy tersely.
We'll, listen: shall count, one,
two, three; at the word three you will
fire. Now take your positions"
Mahaffy and the colonel stood fac
ing each other, distance of twelve
PAGES separating them. Mahatfy was
pale but logged; he eyed Fentress
unflinchingly. Quick on the word Fen
tress fired, an instant later Mahaffys
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 it were held down by some in
visible weight.
A hush spread across the field. 1t
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 tortured
smile, watched Mahaffy as he painted
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 be 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 off. The judge midway OF
the meadow roared out a furious pro-
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.
Mahafy 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. Mahaffy 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! Solomon" And the
judge knelt beside him.
ITS all right, Price; kept your
appointment" whispered Mahafy; a
bloody spume was gathering on his
lips, and he stared up at his friend
with CLASSY eyes.
In very shame the judge hid his
face in his hands, while sobs shook
him.
"Solomon-Solompn, 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 brother he
painted, with a pause between each
word.
Again the Judge buried his face in
his hands.
II know it, Solomon-I know it,"
he moaned wretchedly.
price, you are still a man to be
reckoned with. There's the boy; take
your place for his sake and keep it
you can
Il wildly God, will" gasped the
judge. You hear me? You hear me,
Solomon? By Gods good help, Will"
You have the presidents letter.
1 saw it" said Mahaffy in a whisper.