Year: 1871

had become terror to all who knew him.


In the midst of knot of admirng friends one
day, the Major was discussing his last I" affair,
and compllc emily explaining how it came that
he mortally wounded his adversary instead OF
instantly killing him, when one of two men
standing within hearing suddenly advanced and
struck him in the face. The spectators stood
aghast. What could have tempted the stranger
TO rush thus madly on his fate He was an old
man. Already, to appearance, had three score
and ten years passed over his head. He must
indeed, be weary of life, whose brief remnant
he was ready to cast away so recklessly.


The Major was astonished. The very audacty
of the act struck him with amazement.


{" Is this provocation sufficient or must repeat
it ?" inquired the assaiiant.


The Majors first impulse to return blow
for blow. But fierce and violent as were his
passions, be schooed himself to complete mas
tery over them, and moments reflection told
him how bootless, under The circumstances, would
be public brawl. The indignity he had re
ceved would admit of but reparation, and
that he determined to lose no time in seeking.
" The insult is sufficient" he answered with
forced calmness. % Name friend"


And the two strangers took their leave.


At sunrise on the following morning, the prin-
cipals and their seconds made their appearance
on the ground selected. No one else was present
not even a surgeon. The Major, in his own
past experience, never had needed one; and his
opponent, it was plain, was careless of the con-
sequence.


There no necessity for delay The pre-
liminaries had all been settled The parties
were to fight with pistols, at ten PAGES, the COM
bat to continue until one or both had fallen.


One condition had been insisted on by the
stranger, which called an indignant blush to the
Majors cheek, as it seemed to imply imputa-
ton upon his honor but he submitted with the
best grace he could. 1t was that before placing
the combatants, the bodies of both should be
inspected, to see that no secret protective device
employed by either.


The ground measured and the men placed.
There marked contrast between the two in
more respects than that of years. The old man
erect and motionless as a statue, his whtened
locks floating in the breeze, never once looked
at his antagonist, though his side turned.
His face was stern and determined, but nothing
malignant in it, The Major on the other hand,
glared fercely at his foe--seemed even to grudge
him the few moments Of life yet eked out to him.
" Were he my own father, | would kill him p
he answered audibly, to some whispered expos
tulaton of his second, who was evidently touch
ed by the old mans venerable appearance.


The pistols were put into the bands of the
pr ncipals, and the giving of the word explained.
Gentlemen, are you ready?"


Ready" both answered.


Still the old man moved not, nor did he direct
single glance at his adversary. His eyes were
fixed in front. His attitude was one of rapt at
tention. He seemed like one listening intently.
Fire p


Without changing the direction of his gaze or
other movement than that of his arm, which rose
with the precision of nicely adjusted machine,
the old brought his pistol to the level of his
enemys breast. For an instant he held it there.
Sill the same appearance of eager listening.


The Major was in no hurry. He could afford
to take his time with a who held his pistol
at random, without looking whitherward. He
was determined to make sure work. If his ball
missed his adversarys heart even fraction of



skill again


The sharp report of the strangers pistol was
followed by convulsive jerk of the Majors
arm, causing the discharge of his weapon far
wide Of its mark, while he, staggering few
PAGES backward, fell heavily to the ground


"Conduct me to him, said the old man to
his friend


The latter took his principal arm and led him
to the PROSTATE form of the Major, whose second,
kneeling by his side, had torn open his garments,
exposing to view the fatal wound in his breast,
made by the strangers bullet.


" Is your friend seriously hurt" inquired the
latter, coolly.


You see for yourself, sir" the second
answered.


q There you're in error" replied the other
81 AN TOTALLY BLIND I"


The wounded man, who by this time revived a
little ard his second looked at the stranger ia
astonishment. There no visible defect in
his organs of vision but there was fixity Of
look-that " bending o. eyes on vacancy -
which so Enthusiastically evinces the absence of
sight.


" Who are you, and what is your motive in
seeking for this encounter" the Major family
murmured.


First, are you in a condition to renew it?"
inquired tlfe stranger


I" There is no ted-I am dying"


" When have told you who am the strang-
er resumed, you will scarce require my motive
for what have done: No wonder you have for
gotten James Merton" he continued, 81 for he is
greatly changed no doubt"


The dying man started and groaned bitterly.
Dr,t hn, ID: u.