The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-07-31
observation-disclosures
A TEST OF nerve
BY JOHN D. SWAIN.


! was at General Delmars right, and
remember how the saber scar crept
out on his face-the old scar which |
had not noticed for years Across the
table, through the haze of tobacco
smoke, Colonel Gray's fierce eyes
glanced, and his flushed face con-
trasted oddly with that Of the gen.
eral.
1t was the junior officer who spoke
first.
He was a curious chap-this Col
onel Gray-from the West. He al
ways appeared to be laboring under
suppressed excitement, while In action
he was cold and calculating
Il am, of course, ready to give you
satisfaction, General Delmar" he said.
1t was full moment before the gen
eral replied, his cold, blue eyes mean
while sweeping the table.
Fortunately, We are all gentlemen"
he said This insures discretion and
sets our minds entirely at rest as to
any unpleasant notoriety. You may
co." nodding to the stewards, who
stood about the room, mouth agape.
After they had retired he continued:
Since Colonel Gray has been 30 good
as to leave the arrangements to me, |
will, with his permission, waive the
formality Of seconds. | have an idea
which am sure will appeal to his love
OF adventure, and WILL think, not
only satisfy honor, furnish an inter
estins study, and yet avoid the court
martialing of the survivors for viola
ting the Regulations against dueling.
I'm fact, am so thoroughly con
vinced OF Colonel Gray's personal cour
age" concluded the general with q
graceful gesture, that believe there
will be no survivor. Gentlemen, may
hope that you will accompany me-
for short walk?"
With a great deal OF curiosity ant
{ some trepidation, we filed out into thu
night, preceded by the tall, thin form
, Of the old general.
The path taken by General Delma
J led US to an old shanty In corner o
{ the drtll-held; arrived there he lighte
: a tin lantern which hung by the doo1
{ and led the way within, where wa
! nothing save a few kegs Of blasting
Z, powder, belonging to the enginee
corps. and some tools.
I, One of the kegs the general role
! to the center of the room, placing
: couple of boxes beside It, He the
Z carefully loosened the plug In the Ike
Z and inserted fuse, winding the otht
8 end about the middle Of the cand
; which he removed from the lantern.
< Sticking the candle into an emp'
e bottle. he set 1t on the keg, and turne
!, toward Colonel Gray, who had bee
g watching the proceedings with gre
Z interest, and who seated himself
z z reply to courteous gesture OF his
i ponent
z The general sat down also, and co
x timed in a pleasant, conversation
e tone Il think you understand n
Z, idea, Colonel Gray? Unless this ca
z die is extinguished before 1t bur
i, down to the fuse, the keg of powd
Z is going to ignite One of us two mu
. blow the candle out within, say t
z next twenty minutes. 1t Will not
2 me, Colonel Gray"
< Gray threw his head back a
e laughed,
! splendid, my dear general, spl'
2 did," he exclaimed. I'VE will have
= grand final blowout together"
Harris" said the general to
10 genial cavalry major, Just keep tht
q papers, will your And my watch. A
E toast us good and plenty tomorr
: night" he added, handing Harris
! roll OF bills.
! "Can be Of service 70 you, Colo
Z Gray?" asked Harris.
! "Not a sou on me" he smiled. =
Z even a scrap of paper-except
{ from my tailor"
: Now, gentlemen, said the gene
Z 81 thank you for your attentions,
= shall ask but one further favor; I
Won raturn to the mess-room and aU
. the explosion. Then come and sea
for-let US say, the survivor u
o highland good-by!
Z solemnly enough we babe tn
both adieu and departed, secretly
Z ueyed to get away from the vicir
: q, that cursed candle and fuse
: rangement.
II was exactly nine when we
z down again at table, and for at le
Ave minutes no one spoke. This
Z a long pause for the officers mess
Z Camp Sutro
! At last flesh and blood could st
z q no longer. Burly Captain 10
J who had been pulling away at a n
z unlishted cigar, blurted out; TT
to two on the general! !"
e shame" cried one or two
there were several takers, and
- : grasped eagerly at the relief to
= nerves. The captains wager was
- ,uIcklv enough by the wes'