Nogales international., 1934-12-08
Final Enstaliment

Roddy ran down through the Nor
gan grounds, into the river meadow
Then he stood still moment. think
!. ing, his clenched hand at his chin.
He remembered Major Lomax. Lo
max He started. The major was tn
man! He loved Nancy. He had al
ways pctted Nancy.
There was a light in the study win
dow; he knocked at the side door
How long the old man was in com
ing
Then the door opened. The littl,
old man stood there in his shir
sleeves, his eyes peering out of theil
ereases.
"Tve got to see you, major, a
ence-alone he painted.
The major closed the door deliber
ately. Come in here. There's NJ
one about--Angie's gone to bed"
"Sit down, Rod What's wrong
Out with it''-he smiled grimly-
honest confessions good for the
soul"
Il haven't come to confess any
thing" said Roddy, with a dry throat
I've come to ask you to do me 6
favor, the greatest favor! To be my
second; I've challenged Richard Nor
gan to fight me to-night-out on hi:
own lawn-to the death"
What"
Morgan has insulted my sister
with secret marriage, he's dragged
her name in the dirt, and I've chal.
lenged him to hght-now, tonight! !
"a secret marriage? What the
deuce d'you mean?"
What say! He did it and backec
out bccause-because I'm rotter
He's ashamed to marry my sister
He's insulted Nancy Virginia. I've
challenged him. He's accepted, he's
got to fght!"
The old man got up and began tc
xalk about the room. '1've known
Dick Morgan all his life, there's
something wrong-Nancy's been try
ing to hide something, to save some
body. I've seen It'll" he stopped short
"Rod Gordon, you're the niger in the
woodpilel" |" he shouted.
1T doesn't matter what I am. ]
am not here to answer questions! !
Aoddy replied fercely. "You know
Ely sister, I'm defending her honor,
I'm ready to die for it. Will you stand
by me, or won't you? That's the
question"
The old man drew long breath.
Il willp
There was a moment of silence.
I'm an old man." said the major,
this is illegal. Who's his second
The cartel should be properly deliv-
cred. You could fight tomorrow at
sundoWn. He has the choice of the
weapons, the place, and the hour"
TITS all hxed-I won't wait until
tomorrow" Roddy's breath came in
short gasps and his eyes blazed, hell
have a second when we get there
he's chosen pistols; the time is now,
the place, his own lawn-he'll die there
or / will, please God, tonight !"
The major thought moment. Then
he brought out a polished wood box.
"Duelling pistols, Rod, I've had 'enl
years. Maybe they'll come in handy.
Roddy nodded, his white face drawn
'1'll use anything he's got" he said
shortly, come, major. It's time-the
moons right!'
Bully for you'll" the major
chuckled. His fierce old soul scented
the smoke of battle.
They took the short cut to the Nor
gan house. Two figures were stand
ing on the steps.
"By gad," calculated Major Lomax,
''he's got Haddon!'
AS he spoke, the banker came down
the steps.
"See here, Lomax," he said in an
aside, cant we fix this up? It's
it's deplorable! It's Our duty as sec
onds, can't we stop that young-young
hrebrand?"
The majors jaw snapped to. "D'you
know what's it's about?"
"Some quarrel about Rod Gordon's
sister, isn't it?" Haddon was utterly
confused; had it been his fault? His
fault for telling Helena?
The major set his black box on
the sun-dial. Il reckon you've heard
OF the scandal?" he said in an under
tone
Haddon started violently. MY God !!
Is it that?"
Roddy was stripping off his coat
and waistcoat; his hands were firm
now. The moonlight caught the red
in his hair and showed it, clipped close
from the nape of his neck. Richard
watching him silently, was straighter
and taller and stronger. The boy was
right, he ought to be shot-he would
fire in the air.
Richard came down the steps; chal-
lenged and challenger took their weap-
ons Richard walked to his place and
the moonlight shone full on him, a big
man, big in body and soul. He had
not uttered word. Both Lomax and
Haddon objected.
SHIFT around-you're a shining
nark" they exclaimed i'll unison.
Richard laughed dryly. There's a
saying that Death loves a shining
mark Rod. 1 believe We shake hands
first"