Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1913-04-04

| MahAdy exhibited the pistol ne mao
carried to Belle Plain the day be-
fore.
Step on the ground. Tom" Fen
tress spoke quietly When Ware had
done an requested, the colonel spoke
again. "You are my witness that
was the victim OF an unproyoked at
tack"
MIR. Ware accepted this statement
with equanimity. not to say indiner-
| ence
Are you readyr' he asked; M
rianced at Mahaffy. who By slight
inclination OF the head signined that
he was u reckon you're a green
hand at this sort of tbing?" comment
cd Tom eyiIly.
YES" said Mahany 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. Mahany was
pale but logged; be eyed Fentress
unfiincbingly. Quick on the word Fen
tress fired, an instant later Mahany's
pistol exploded; apparently neither
bullet had taken effect. the two men
maintained the rigid attitude they had
assumed; then Mahany was seen TO
turn on his heels, next his arm drop
ped TO his side and the pistol slipped
from his fingers, a look OF aston sh-
ment passed over his face and left II
md ato rtt x.ht b 10
hand stole up toward his heart: he
raised 1t slowly, with diffi Guilty. az
though II were held down by some in
visible weight
A hush spread across the field. II
was like one OF 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 Mahary as he painted
for breath. with his hand clenchcd |
against his breast. That dead, oppres-
sive silence lasted but a moment; |
from out OF II 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
galioped OF. The Judge midway OF
the meadow roared out furious pro
test. but the mounted men turned in.
N 10 hi |
sight. and the judges shaking legs
bore him swiftly in &c SECRETION OF
the gaunt figure on the grcvpn.
Mahaify struggled to rise, FOR ne
was hearing his friends yoace now,
the voice OF utter anguish, calling his
name. Al last painful effort brought
him TO his knees. He saw the judge,
clothed principally In gaily colored
bed-quilt. hatless and shoeless, his
face sodden and bleary from his
nights debauch. Mahaffy stood erect
and staggered toward him, his hand
over his wound. his features drawn
and lvid. then with cry he dropped
at his friends feet.
Solomon Solomon" And the
i,'dge knelt beside him.
ITS all right, Price; ] kept your
whispered Mahafry;
bloody spume was gathering on his
lips. and he stared up OF his friend
with CLASSY eyes.
In very shame the Judge hid his
lace in his hands, while sobs shook
him.
"Solomon-Solomon. why did you
10 this?' he cried miserably.
The harsh lines on the dying man
ace erased themselves.
You're the only friend I've known
n twenty years OF loneliness, Price
we loved you like brother" he
)anted. with pause between oaos
word.
Again the judge buried his face IN !
his hands.
Il know it. Solomon know IT." I
Ie moaned wretchedly. q
Price, you are still man TO be I
with There's the boy; take 7
our place for his sake and keep it, I
on can.
II wildly God. Will" gasped the G
ldge. You hear me? You hear me, I
ol0mcug by Gods good help. l will!" v
You have the presidents letter a
saw it," said Mahany in whisper n
"Yesl" cried the Judge Solomon. I,
ne world is changing Tor us'' a
For me most OF an murmured b
Iahary and there was bleak In Fl
iant when the judges ashen counte-
ance held the full pathos OF age and D
allure Remember your oath. Price. II
asped the dying man. A moment OF
Hence succeeded. Mahany's eyes n
osed. then the heavy lids slid back. W
e looked up at the judge while the
arsh lines OF his sour old face SOFT A.
ned wonderfully. Kiss me, Price"