The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-21
CHAPTER VI.
The Supreme Court.

YF remorse. mental or physical. af-
 fected any of the dwellers af lief
 ferson barracks on the morning 4 following the officers ball neither was in evidence. The next little event of interest was the pigeon match be- tween Orme and myself. which swift rumor seemed to have maRnided Into an importance not wholly welcome to myself. We had a late brea kfast at No. 16. and Stevenson, who was to handle me in the match. sa " to it'that l had a hard tubbinR before brea kfast and a good run afterward and later hearty luncheon with no heavy wines. 1 was surprised at these businesslike proceedings, which were all new to me, and I redet ed with no satisfaction that my h0 headedness in accepting Orme's chal enge might result in no glory to myself and. worse than that. let iD my friends for loss, for Steven son informed me tE1at in spite of the fact that mad never shot in a race a number of wagers were backing me against the Englishman. l reasoned. however, that these responsibilities should not be considered by one who needed perfect command of himself.
 
 at trapped birds. reasoned that a bird in the air was a flying bird after all, whether from trap or tree. Then. again. was offended at Orme's air of superiority. Lastly, though it might be the fault of the COwIes' blood to accept any sort of challenge. 1t was not our way to regret that so soon as the day following.
 The grounds for the match had been arranged al the usual place. near to the edge C'f the military reservation. and here half hour before the time set there began to gather practically all of the young officers about the post. all the enlisted men who could get leave. with cooks. strikers. laundresses and other scattered personnel of the barracks There came as well many civilians from the city. and I was sur prised to see a line of carriages with many ladies drawn up back of the score. Evidently our little matter was to be made semifashionable affair.
 Orme shook hands with me and de- clared he was feeling well. although Major Williams laughingly announced that he had not been able to make his man go to bed for more than an hour
 
 ing and drinking everything he could lay his hands upon. Yet now his eye was bright. his skin firm. his step light and easy.
 What boundary do we use. gentle men?" Orme asked as he looked out over the field. This question showed his acquaintance, but none The less his confidence and his courage as well. for in closely made matches all details are carefully weighed before the issue is joined.
 ''Our races here have usually been shot at fifty yards bounds.'' said Ste venson.
 "As you like.' said Orme, If that pleases MT. CowIes."
 Perfectly" said I.
 Orme stepped over to the GOODS where the birds were kept. splendid 1ridescent creatures, with long tails, clean. gamy heads and all the colors of the rainbow on their breasts. By love-" he said. they're rippers for looks. and they should fly a bit. I'm thinking. l have never seen them be fore. much less shot a race at them"
 Still your advantage" said 1. laugh ing, flor 1 never shot a race at any sort in my life''
 And yet you match against me; My dear fellow. hardly like"-
 ''The match is made. Captain Orme and l am sure MT. Cowles would moi ask for any readjustment," comment ed Stevenson Stiffiy.
 Don't understand me to wish tC urge anything" said Orme. ''I only wish it so we shall all have a chance at revenge. Is there any one who wishes to back me perhaps or to bach