Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1912-02-22

felt no desire for further thought, only
an intense anxiety for them to hurry
the preliminRries, and have the AFFAIR
settled as speedily as possible. / was
aroused by Moorehouse's rather nasal
voice.
Gentlemen, will you please take
your positions. Major Brennan, you
win stand three PAGES to the right
Of that sapllng. 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 I 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 az my op.
ponent. Years Of constant exposure to
peril In every form had yielded me q
grim philosophy of fatalism that now
stood me in most excellent stead. In.
deed, doubt not, had l chosen to put
1t to the test, my hand would have
proven the steadi6r 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 CD
crates in such moments Of exciting
suspense. recall remarking a very
slight stoop In Brennan's shoulders
which l had never perceived before,
l remember wondering where Moore
house had ever discovered a tailor to
give so shocking At to his coat, and
finally grew almost interested in
two birds perched upon the limb Of
a tree opposite where stood. even
smiled to myself over a Jest one Of
the young officers had made an hour
before. Yet with 1t 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
fully, the long, slim, blue barrel look
ing deadly enough as he held 1t 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 IL
no mercy III Brennans eyes,"
$50 ] notice" answered, taking
the derringer from him, and examining
1t with some curiosity, 'Du; shall do
as said, nevertheless. It is not any
sentiment Of mercy feel which spares
him. but a duty that appeals to me
even more strongly than hate"
by Heaven, ! wish 1t were other
WISE"
who gives the word?" I questioned.
Il do; are You ready?"
Perfectly"
held out my hand, and his fingers
closed upon 1t 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. / knew he was coolly, de-
liberately measuring the distance be-
tween us with as deadly a purpose as
any murderer. The almost painful |
stiffness was broken by Cation, and ]
marked the tremor in his voice.
Are you both ready, gentlemen?"
II am" said Brennan.
Ready" ! replied.
THE word will be one, two, three
Are; with a slight pause after the
.hree. A report from either pistol be-
lore the Anal word is spoken I shall
AXE personally. Be prepared now"
Ready" said the voice once more;
md as saw Brennan's arm slowly
rise, lifted mine also. and covered
him, noting, as / did so, almost in won
Ter, with what steadiness Of nerve
md wrist l held the slender gauge
ust beneath the visor Of his cap. De-
iberately. as though he dreaded the
Cation counted:
"One; two; three-hre!"
My pistol exploded, the charge strik-
ng the limb above him, and stag.
,ered backward. my hat torn from my
lead, a white line cut through my hair
md q thin trickle of blood upon my
emple. l. saw Cation rushing toward
ne, his face filled with anxiety, and
hen Brennan hurled his yet smoking
lerringer into the dirt at his feet with
~ 0ofh