The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-07-06
THE SURE SHOT
BY WARREN VAIL.


that group. The plausible hriStoerai-
ic looking stranger had made SOME
thing of an impression upon her. Al
least 50 Philip Dewey fancied.
War conditions had Hntmntrd the
| town. Dewey was one of loyhI
group who had announced their rendl-
| ness to enter government service. He
and his comrades embraced prephreu-
ness by forming shooting ciup.
Steady Of nerve and clear of vision,
| Dewey had become the champion IN
! the lists. The newcomer gave MS
name as Paul Duroc, alluded to an
uncle who was q count, and c0urted
the company Of the military boys
"having seen service myself" as he ex-
pressed it.
give grown sort Of rusty In target
practice" he said, "but l would Ike
to try round with Dewey, your eX-
pert marksman here"
with PLEASURE" assented Dewey
feeling none too friendly towards this
daShlng stranger.
1t was three days later and half the
town was attending a war picnic at
grove near the river.
Esther had fallen in Dewey's way
incidentally upon her arrival. ana had
paired off with him In the pleasantest
manner possible. DurOc was busily
engaged in arranging for the target
contest. He had employed two men to
carry out It's details. He had selected
spot away from the crowds, clearing
the outskirts for range about five
hundred feet In extent. At one end
was one Of the men he had employed,
provided with repeating rifle. Near
the target, just at the edge Of the river,
was his other assistant, who was 10
place the white paper targets on the
stanchion In turn.
Ten shots EACH" announced Duroc,
as all was ready.
"You first" directed Dewey cour-
teOusly to Duroc, who was handed the
,, rifle, while the signal placer at the
: target and a small boy in his company
got behind a clump of trees.
= The ten shots echoed out snapplly,
1 ms amid flourishing and much posing
the elegant young gentleman from
, abroad delivered his quota. lmmedi'
ately the signal placer emerged from
cover, removed the paper target ana
n moment later started the messenger
bow for base. The bulls eye had been
5 clipped four times and no shot
u had missed the target.
"a fine record" pronounced the man
e selected as Judge, and Dewey began TO
e feel some respect for his competitor
s with Justice acquieScing in the general
i verdict.
n The great distance did not enable
q him TO observe where his shots land
q ed. but he maintained a steady nerve
e and fancied that he was doing quite
e well. AS the paper record came &c
base. he could scarcely credit Its chron
RI lcle. Every darkened perforation was
u more than four inches from the bulis
eve and three Of the ten had gone en-
r tirely wild. He managed to contro
le and conceal his modification and dis
anpolntment, did not rejoin Esther
st and went home gloomy and Wretcnee
N In the extreme.
n az have no chance at all with Duroc,
le he decided, that f1ashy fellow beat
10 me rs to money, smartness, and ever
In in the field where I funcied l was
I'd crack shot"
I'd He kent away from Esther, and evel
fe from his chosen comrades. he nurse'
ne his misery by lonely walks along tn
IN seouestered byways. One afternoon
N was tramping along the river shor
nd when scream rang out In familia
[r. accents. He thrilled and started
,e, keen RIM as he realized that Esthe
he had uttered It, Turning past clum
re Of trees he saw her wringing her hand
pc In distress. Fording the shallow, pu
broad water course, aiming to reac
oy the opposite shore, was rough loot
ny ing man, ploughing through the wate
ankle to waist deep.
re ale is q tramp, footpad! erie
Esther frantically, che has robbed III
of my necklace"
Evervbody In Woodville knew Of tn
diamond necklace Esther's grandfntl
or had given her on her nineteent
birthday, fabulously valued.
Sc. "Halt. Come back, or I'll fire
is shouted Dewey to the fugitive" bl
,irl the man splashed on his way.
DID Dewey drew his revolver. He aimt
at the knee of the escaping thief. III
latter uttered q yell of pain. half fe
and halted and turned. The level'
nat weapon a constant menace, he llmp'
yo- back to where Dewey stood, flung II
trv stolen necklace at his feet and snr
lin. TO the ground. Dewey was fairly su
ic- prised to recognize him as one of Il
de. men Duroc had employed in the to
'iv. get contest.
"Sure shot, sure enough" the fellc
OF growled out 81 say, let me go, bull
led, and all, and I'll tell you something
wO teresting."
800 "What do you mean7" demand
eet Dewey.
eet "Well, Tn in cahoots with nur'
ind who Is really plain Shocks. contden
man. Those targets, / didn't deliv
i'm. the real ones, but some he had fixed
be for the occasion"