Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-10-23

ought to be ashamed of myself.
There isn't a bit of funk in his Whole
makeup"
At nine Abbott retired. lie 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 five. He strolled
about the garden. He realized that
it was very good to be alive. Once
he gaZed somberly at the little white
villa. away to the north. How crisply
1t stood out against the dark foliage!
How blue the water was! And far,
far aWav the serene snowcaps! Nora
Harrican g Well, he was going
TO stand up like man. She should
never be ashamed of her memory of
him. If he went out, all worry would
be at an end, and that would be
something. What a mess he had
made of thingsi He did not blame
the Italian A duel! he, the son of
a man who had invented washtubs,
was going to fight duel lie wanted
to laugh; he wanted to cry. Wasn't
he just dreaming? Wasn't 1t all a
nightmare out of which he would
presently awake?
breakfast Sahib," said Rao, def
erentially touching his arm.
He was awake; it 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 Aboott
ate well.
The artist helped himself twice and
drank three cups of coffee. lou
know, I suppose all men in a hole
like this have funny ideas. l was
Just thinking that I should like
partridge and bottle of cham
payne"
"Well have that for tiffin,' said
the cononel, confidentially. In fact, ne
summoned the butler and gave the
order.
ITS mighty kind of you, cepnel, to
buck me up this way
slight heat in his leathery cheeks"
"Ail you've got to do is to hold your
arm out straight, pull the trigger, and
squirt afterward."
81 sha'n't hurt the Barone," smiling
family.
"Are you going to be ass enough
to pop your gun in the air? 1nd'g-
nantly.
Abbott shrugged, and the colonel
cursed himself for the gulltiest
scoundrel unhung.
stood at each end of the tennis court
Ellicott. the surgeon, had laid open
his medical case. He was the most
agitated man of the five. His fingers
shook as he spread out the lints and
bandages. The colonel and Court
landt had solemnly gone through the
formality of loading the weapons. Inc
sun had not climbed over the eastern
SUBMITS. but the snow on the west
ern tops was rosy.
1.-THE word three. gentlemen, you
will fire" said the colonel.
The two shots came simultaneous
". Abbott had deliberately pointed
his into the air. For a moment he
stood perfectly stills then his knees
sagged, and he toppled forward on
his face.
Great God" whispered the colonel;
"you must have forgotten the ram
rodi'
He, Courtlandt and the surgeon
rushed over to the fallen man. The
Barone stood like stone. Suddenly,
with a gesture of horror, he flung
aside his smoking pistol and ran
across the court.
Gentlemen" he cried, ION my
honor, | aimed three feet above his
head" He wrung his hands together
in anxiety. 1T is impossible! 1t is
only that ! wished TO see IL he were
a brave man. ! shoot well. 1t is i'm
possiblei' he reiterated.
Rapidly the cunning hand of the
surgeon ran over Abbott's body. He
finally shook his head. Nothing has
touched him. His heart gave under
Tainted"
When Abbott came to his senses he
smiled weakly. The Barone was one
of the two who helped him to his
feet.
Il feel like a fool" he said.
"Ah, let me apologize now" said
the Barone. What | did at the ball
was wrong, and I should not have lost
my temper. L had come to you to
apologize then; but I am Italian. 1t
is natural that I should lose my tenn
per-" naively.
"We're 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 colonel
in Courtlandt's ear; considering that
neither of them knew that they
were shooting nothing more danger
GUS than wads, they're pretty good
specimens. Eth. WHAT"