The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-06-12


inclination OF the head signited that
he was. Il reckon you're green
hand at this sort of thing?" comment
cd Tom eyilly.
Yes" said Mahaffy tersely.
Well 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, a distance OF twelve
PAGES separating them. MahaRy was
pale but dogged; ha eyed Fentress
unflinching!y. Quick on the word Fen
tress fired, an instant later Mahaffy'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, look of astonish-
ment passed over his face and left it
vacant and staring while his right
hand stole up toward mis- heart; he
raised 1T slowly, with difficulty, as
though it were held down by some in
visible weight.
A hush spread across the field. Ii
was like one or 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 a 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 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
galloped off. The Judge midway of
the meadow rOared out furious pro.
test, but the mounted men turned in.
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.
Mahaffy 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 coIored
bed-Quilt, hatless and shoeless, his
race sodden and bIeary from his
nights debauch. Mahaffy stood erect
and staggered toward him. his hand
over his wound, his features drawn
and livid. then with a cry he dropped
at his friends feet.
Solomon! Solomon!" And the
Judge knelt beside him.
Its all right, Price; I kept your
appointment" whispered MahafYy: q
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-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
painted, with pause between each
word
Again the Judge buried his face in
his hands.
II know 1t, 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 will-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 Mahaffy in a whisper.
"Yes!" cried the Judge. Solomon,
the world is changing for us!"
For me most Of ALL" murmured
Mahaffy, and there was q bleak in.
slant when the judges ashen counte-
nance held the full pathos of age and
failure. Remember your oath, Price,"
gasped the dying man. A moment of
silence succeeded. Mahaffy's eyes
closed, then the heavy lids slid back.
He looked up at the Judge while the
harsh lines of his sour old face soft.
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 a smile that
was neither bitter nor sneering.