The Springdale news., 1912-08-02

carried lo btlie IldiH tue udy oe 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 1 was the victim of an unproyoked at tack"
 Mr. Ware accepted this statement with equanimity, not to say indiffer ance.
 Are you ready?s he asked. he glanced at Mahatty, who by a slight inclination Of the head signified that he was. T reckon you're a green hand at this sort Of thing" comment ed Tom evilly
 Yes, said Mahaffy tersely
 Well. listen; l 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, a distance of twelve paces separating them. Mahafy was pale but logged he eyed Fentress untiinchingly. 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, a look of astonsh- 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 We're held down by some in visible weight.
 \ hush spread across the field It Was like ole of natures invisible transitions. Along the edge ot the woods the song of birds was stricken into silence Ware. heavy eyed-t'en- tress. his lips twisted by tortured smile. watched Mahaffy as he panted Tor breath with his hand c1enched against his breast. That dead, oppres- siye silence lasted but moment; from out of 1t came cry that smote OH the wounded mans ears and reached his consciousness.
 It's 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 eaIloRed off. The judge midway of the meadow roared out a furious pro- test. but the mounted men turned in- to the highroad and vanished from sight, and the judges shaking legs bore him swiftly i'll the direction oi the gaunt= figure on the ground
 Mahaffy struggled to rise. for he WAS hearing his friends voice now. tie Voice Of utter anguish. calling his nanle. At last painzul effort brought h4m 10 his knees. He saw the judge. clothed principally in q gaily eolored bed=quilt, hatless and shoeless, his face sodden and bleary from his nights debauch. Mahaf1y 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; 1 kept your appointment whispered Mahany, bloody spume was gathering on nls lips, and he stared up at his friend with glassy eyes.
 In very shame the judge hid his face in his hands, while sobs shook him.
 Solomon-Solomon, why did you do this?" he cried miserably
 The harsh lines on the dying mans lace erased themselves.
 You're the only friend I've known in twenty years of loneliness, Price I've loved you like brother" he panted, with a pause between each word.
 Again the judge buried his face in his hands
 T know it. Solomon-I know it.,, he moaned wretehedlv.
 Price, you are still man to be reekoned with. There's the boy. take your place Tor his sake and keep It. you can"
 T ~ill-by God. will" gasped the judge. You hear me? You hear me, Solomon? By Gods good help, will
 You have the presidents letter saw it-" said Mahafty in a whisper.
 Yes" cried the judge Solomon, the world Is changing Tor us!
 For ne most ef all murmured Mahafy, and there was a bleak in- stant when the judges ashen ceunte- nance held the full pathos of age and failure. Remember your oath, Price, gasped the dying man. A moment of silence succeeded. Mahaffys eyes closed, then the heavy lids slid back lie looked up at the judge while the harsh lines of his sour old face soit- ened wonderfully Kiss me. Price. he whispered, and as the judge bent to touch him on the brow. the soft ened lines fixed themselves in death, while on his lips fingered smile that was neither bitter nor sneering