The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-02-29
Copyright oy A l McClurg A Co
Entered Il Stars ,ner's Hall. London.


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 on
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 DO
likeness, that we have no surgeon
with us. However. neither contestant
has any advantage in this respect.
Lieutenant Cation. may ask IL the ar
rangements as already completed have
proven satisfactory to your princi.
pal?"
Entirely So"
Then If you will kindly step this
way moment we will confer as to
certain details"
Brennan was leaning in negligent
attitude against the side OF the build.
u,
the blue smoke Of a cigar curled laz.
lily above his head I glanced toward
him, and then sought to amuse myself
watching the queer antics Of gray
squirrel on the fence rail beyond. I
felt no desire for further thought. only
an intense anxiety for them TO hurry
the preliminaries, and have the affair
G0ttlnn
aroused by Moorehouse's 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 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.
lion. Yet my trained nerves did not
fail me. and outwardly appeared
fully as cool and deliberate as my op.
ponent Years Of constant exposure to
peril in every form had yielded me a
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 op.
crates in such moments of exciting
suspense. recall remarking a very
slight stoop In Brennan's shoulders
which / had never perceived before.
! remember wondering where Moore.
house had ever discovered a tailor to
give so shocking fiji TO his coat, and
finally | grew almost interested in
two birds perched upon the limb OF
tree opposite where ] stood even
smiled to myself over a jest one Of
the young officers had made an hour
before. Yet with II all ! remained
keenly observant and fully aware OF
each movement made by the others on
the field. | 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 I 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
II with some curiosity, but | shall do
as | said, nevertheless. It is not any
sentiment of mercy feel which spares
him, but duty that appeals to me
even more strongly than hate"
by Heaven, | wish 1t were other
wise"
who gives the word?" l questioned
81 do; are you ready?"
Perfectly"
held out my hand, and his nngers
closed upon II 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 l
marked the tremor in his voice.
Are you both ready, gentlemen"
IT am" said Brennan.
Ready" ! replied.
"The word will be one. two, three
fire; with a slight pause after the
three. A report from either pistol be-
fore the final word Is spoken shall