The Detroit times., 1913-10-22

busntest inoICatlOn OF nerves.
Hang the boy" he muttered, IL
ought to be ashamed Of myself. There
isn't bit OF funk In his whole make
up"
At nine Abbott retired. He did not
sleep very we'll. He was irked by
the morbid idea that the Barone was
going TO send the bullet through his
throat He was up at Ave He strolled
about the garden. He realized that II
was very good to be alive. Once he
gaxed somberly at the little white
villa, away to the north. How crisply
It stood out against the dark foliage!
How blue the water was! And far, far
away the serene snowcaps! Nora
Harriean Well, he was going
to stand up like a man. She should
never be ashamed Of her memory of
him. II he went out, all worry would
be at an end, and that would be some.
thing. What a mess he had made OF
things! He did not blame the Ital.
ian. A duel! he. the son of man
who had invented wash-tubs, was go
Ing to fight duel! He wanted to
laugh he wanted to cry. Wasn't he
just dreaming? Wasn't 1t all a night
mare out Of which he would presently
awake?
breakfast, Sahib," said Rao, defer
entially touching his arm.
He was awake: II was all true.
you'll want Coffee began the
colonel. Drink as much as you like.
And you'll find the eggs good, too.
The colonel wanted to see II Abbott
ate well.
The artist helped himself twice and
drank three cups of coffee. You
know. I suppose all men In a hole like
this have funny ideas. was Just
thinking that should like a partridge
and bottle Of champagne
Well have that for tiffin," said the
colonel. confdentially. In fact, he
summoned the butler and gave the
order.
IT'S mighty kind of you. Colonel. to
buck me up this way"
Rot" The colonel experienced a
slight heat In his leathery cheeks
"All you've got to do Is to hold your
arm out straight. pull the trigger. and
squint afterward."
Il sha'n't hurt the Barone," smiling
family.
Are you going to be ass enough to
pop your gun In the air?" Indignantly.
Abbott shrugged: and the colonel
cursed himself for the guiltiest scoun.
drel unhung.
Half an hour later the opponents
stood at each end Of the tennis-court.
Elliott. the surgeon. had laid open bis
medical case. He was the most ag1tat-
ed Of the five men. His fingers shook
as he spread out the lines and
bandages. The colonel and Courtlandt
had solemnly gone through the for.
makty Of loading the weapons. The
sun had not climbed over the eastern
SUBMITS, but the snow on the western
tops was rosy. t&
AT the word three, gentlemen, you
will nre." said the colonel.
The two shots came simultaneously
Abbott had deliberately pointed his
into the air. For a moment he stood
perfectly still; then, his knees sagged
and he toppled forward on his face.
Great Cod" whispered the colonel !;
you must have forgotten the ram
rod"
He, Courtlandt, and the surgeon
rushed over to the fallen man The
Barone stood like stone. Suddenly.
With a gesture OF horror he flung
across the court
Gentlemen" he said, ION my honor,
I aimed three feet above his head"
He wrung his hands together in anx-
iety. 1T Is lmpossible! 1t Is only
that wished to see II he were a brave
man. shoot we'll. 1t Is impossible"
he reiterated.
Rapidly the cunning hand Of the
surgeon ran, over Abbotts body He
finally shook his head. Nothing has
touched him. His heart gave under.
Painted"
When Abbott came to his senses.
he smiled weakly The Barone was
one Of the two who helped him to his
feet
II feel like a fool" he said
"Ah. let me apologize now" said
the Barone What did at the ball
was wrong. and should not have lost
my temper. had come to you to
apologize then. But I am Italian. It
is natural that should lose my tenn
per-" naively.
Were both Of us a pair Of fools,
Barone. There was always some one
else. A couple of fools"
YES" admitted the Barone eagerly.
Considering whispered the col.
cnel in Courtlandt's eur; considering
that neither Of them knew they were
shooting nothing more dangerous than
wads. they're pretty good specimens
Eth, what?