a
SYNOPSIS.
The story opens In • Confederate tent
« a critical si ago of tlx Civil War. G«n
La* Import* to Capt. Wayne an Important
Oiessag« to Longatreet. Accompanied by
Serat. Craig, an old army acout, Wayne
■tarts on his mission They get within
the lines of tha enemy and In the dark
ness Wayne Is taken for a Federal of
ficer and a young lady on horseback la
given In hla charge. Bhe la a northern
Ctrl and attempts to escape. One of the
noraea succumbs snd Craig goes through
with the dlapatchea. while Wayne and My
Lady of the North at* left alone. They
seek shelter In a hut and entering It In
the dark a huge meat Iff attacks Wavno
The girl shoots the brute Just In time,
lite owner of the hut. Jed Bungay. and
Rla wife appear and soon a party of
noraemen approach. They are led by a
tnan claiming to be Red Lowrle. but who
prove* to be MaJ. Brennan. a Federal
orncer whom the Union girl recognises
He orders the arrest of Wayne aa a spy
and he Is brought before Bherldan. who
threatens him with death unless he re
*eels the secret message. Wayne believes
Kdlth Brennan to be the Wife of MaJ.
Brennan. He Is rescued by Jed Bunray
who starta to reach (Jen. Lee. while
Wayne In disguise penetrates to the ball
room, beneath which he had been Im
prisoned. He la Introduced to a Mlaa
Minor and barely oacapea being unmaak
ed. Kdtth Brennan recognising Wayne,
•ays ahe will save him. Securing a pass
through tha lines, they are confronted by
BrennaH. who Is knocked senseless. Then,
bidding iCdlth adieu. Wayne makes a
dash for liberty. He encounters Bungay;
•ney reach the I-re ramp and are sent
with reinforcements to Join Karly, In the
battle of Shenandoah the regiment Is
overwhelmed, and Wayne, while In the
hospital, Is visited by Rdlth Brennan.
Wayne and Bungay are sent on a scout
ing detail, and arriving at the Minor
place, Wsyne meets Miss Minor and Mrs.
Btingsv. and later Edith appears.
Wayne'a detachment la bealeged by guer
rillas. Brennan and hla men-arrive and
aid In repelling the Invaders until a rea
ching party of blueooata reach the acaaa.
Brennan challengea Wayne to a duaL
CHAPTER XXXlV.— Continued.
"Well, I suppose I shall be compelled
to let you and Beelzebub go, but It will
prove a serious loss to the cause of
the South," I said, my thoughts In
stantly turned by mention of the mule
to matters of more Importance. "1 ex
pect there wll] be livelx times up
your way."
"Ye kin Jlst bet thar will," en
thusiastically. "It'll be nip and tuck,
I reckon, but I'm mighty hopeful o'
Marlar. Thet dern muel he needs ter
S be took down a peg."
"Sergeant," I said, "did you send out
a party to bring In our horses and the
sabers?"
"It vos all done already; der horses
vos found und der swords."
"How many men have we lost?"
"ber vos live kilt. Captain; dot vos
It. I vos hit mrtt der ear ofT; Sands
Is goln' to die, und maybe Elliott vlll
not get some better; some odders vos
hurted."
"How many men does that leave us
fit for duty?" I asked decisively, push
ing back my plate and rising from the
table.
"Dere vos twelve. Captain, mlt me."
"That will do," I said. "In half an
hour from now have the men ready
for the road," and I turned and left the
room.
We must depart at once. More than
ever now I realized the necessity for
baste, I hoped to meet the officer com
manding the Federal detachment who
had come to our aid, pay him the cus
tomary marks of respect, and get
away without again coming In contact
with Major Brennan. I felt myself
pledged to this course of action.
A sentry stationed In the lower ball
way Informed me the officers were
messing together in the front parlor,
and I at once headed that way. I
paused, however, to visit the wounded
for a moment, spoke cheerily to my
own men, and then, opening the door
quietly, entered the room which I had
but left In possession of the guer
rillas. With the exception of broken
windows and bullet-scarred walls lit
tle evidence remained of that contest
which had raged here with such fury
but a few hours prevloualy. There
were numerous dark atalns upon the
carpet, but much of the furniture had
been restored to place, while a cheer
ful wood fire crackled In the open
crate. Before It three men were sit
ting smoking, while upon a small table
close at their elbows rested a flat bot
tle. flanked by several glaasea. A
single glaace sufficed to tell me they
were Federal cavalrymen," one being
the red-faced lieutenant whom I had
already met.
"I am seeking the commander of
this detachment" I explained, as
they glanced at me in surprise at my
entrance unannounced, "f am Cap
tain Wayne, in charge of the Confed
erate troop which was engaged in de
fense of this house."
A portly man with a strong face, and
gearing a closely clipped gray beard,
arose from a comfortable armchair
and advanced With hand extended.
"I am Captain Moo rehouse. In com
mand," he answered, cordially, "and
•m very glad to meet you. Will you
not Join us? My second lieutenant,
who has positive genius In that line,
has unearthed a lew bottles of rather
choice whisky which we will divide
most gladly.".
"I thank you," 1 replied, anxious to
meet him aa pleasantly as possible,
"but 1 am eager to get away upon my
duty aa early as may be, and have
merely Intruded upon you to explain
my purpose."
"Nonsense," he Insisted. "Doty
is never quite so urgent aa to require
a waste of good llQoor. Captain Wayne,
permit me to present my officers—
— Lieutenants Warren and Starr, Sec
end New Hampshire Cavalry."
The constant haunting fear qf the
t MYiLAPTCT j.THE!NORrtI;
lovt STORY or A GRAY JACKE T
"!> u hr/£AMiA4&
luiKorcfWTON WILDERNESS WA KING VK
ILLUSTRATIONS BMCimiRT. WILLIAMSON" CL '
OOPXP/arTJiyACJWCLUBGACOL ZWTFPFn
Major'a possible entrance at any mo
ment rendered me extremely uneasy,
and anxious to be away. Undoubtedly
this feeling exhibited Itself In my man
ner, • for Captain Moorehouse said
finally:
"I realize your natural anxiety te
be off. Captain Wajcn®. and while we
should be very (lad to keep you with
us Indefinitely, yet I trugt you will
feel perfectly free in the matter."
"I thank you greatly." I answered,
rising as I spoke. "My duty la of euch
a nature, and has already been ao
long neglected that I feel every mo
ment of unnecessary delay to be a
crime. I wish you a pleasant return
within your own lines, and an early
cessation of hostilities.
I had shaken hands with them all,
and turned toward the door, congratu
lating myself on escaping thua easily,
when a new voice broke auddenly in
upon my self-satisfaction:
"I trust Captain Wayne Is not In
tending to depart without at least a
word with me?"
It was Brennan. He had entered
unobaerved from the second parlor.
"Frankly," 1 reaponded, "1 hoped I
might."
"Have you forgotten, then, our com
pact, or do you simply elect to ig
nore itr
1 saw the others exchange quick
glances of amasement, but I answered
coolly:
"The latter supposition Is more
nearly the truth, Major Brennan. I
felt that after what we have Just
passed through together we could
both afford to Ignore the past, and
consequently was hoping to escape
without again encountering you."
"Indeed!" he exclaimed, sarcastic
ally. "But I might have expected
It. Gentlemen," and he turned to
ward the expectant group, "this man
and I have a personal grievance of
long standing unsettled. I have
sought him for months ID vain. When
be came last night to ou7">sslstapce,
before I even consented to accept his
services I Insisted that no occurrence
of the defense should prevent our
meeting. If we both survived. Now
he endeavors to sneak away like a
whipped cur. I demand satisfaction
at his hands, and tf It Is refused I
shall denounce him In both armies."
My cheeks burned, but before !
could control myself sufficiently for
answer, Moorehouse spoke.
"But, Brennan, see bere," he said
anxiously, "surely Captain Wayne has
s«rved you well. Is this trouble be
tween you so serious that no amends
are possible?"
"None, short of a personal meet
ing."
"Captain," and the perplexed fed
eral commander turned toward me.
"have you any word of explanation In
this unfortunate affair?"
"Very little," 1 answered. "I am
not even aware that I have done In-
Jury to Major Brennan, purposely or
otherwise. He haa not so much as
honored me with Information as to his
cause of complaint However, I care
very little what It may be. As be
has seen fit to denounce me be
fore officers of my own corps, I should
be extremely glad to meet him upon
that ground alone; but after what we
have Just passed through together, I
felt ready to blot out these past dif
ferences. Whatever they may have
been, they are not liable to occur
again, nor we to meet."
"They have occurred again since you
have been In this house!" Brennan
broke forth excitedly. "You sre not a
coward, but I brand you here and now
as a sneak and liar! Now will you
flghtr
We stood for a moment ID utter si
lence, eye to eye, and I knew there
was no help for It. These words, pub
licly spoken, left me no choice.
"I am at your service. Major Bren
nan," I returned sternly, "now or at
"I Brand You Here snd Now ss Sneak
and Liar; Now Will You Flghtr*
any time. But lam unfortunate here'
in having no officer of my army pres
ent, and hence can name no sec
ond."
"Doubtless one of theee gentlemen
will consent to serve," he said, bis
face brightening at my rejoinder.
Some one hastily pushed a way to
the front, and Lieutenant Caton, pale
but determined, stood at my shoulder.
"It will afford me pleasure to act
for Captain Wayna," he said clearly,
"If he will accept my services. More
over," he added, with a significant
glance at Brennan. "I do this as a
friend, and with full confidence that I
am upon the «rlght side in the quar
rel."
For a moment no one spoke. Bran
nan biting his mustache to keep back
the words he durst not utter. Then
Caton turned to me.
"If you will retire to the library.
Wayne, 1 will arrange this matter with
whoever may repreaent Major Bren
nan."/
With a slight formal bow to thoaa
present I quitted the room.
CHAPTER XXXV.
The Last Resort of Qentlomen,
1 found the library deserted, and
paced the floor for fully half an hour
before Caton appeared. Stung as T
had been by Hrennan's harsh, uncall
ed-for words, I yet shrank from the
thought that 1 must now meet him In
deadly combat. It was no fear of
personal Injury that troubled me; In
deed I do not recall giving this the
slightest consideration, for my mind
was altogether concentrated upon what
"Brennan Hurled Hla Yet Smoking Derringer at Hla Feet With an Oath."
such a meeting must necessarily mean
to Edith Brennan, and how It would
affect our future relationship. This
was the thought that swayed and mas
tered me. 1 had pledged myself to
avoid him, and Indeed bad ÜBed every
means possible to that end. The time
was none too long, my mind once
thoroughly settled as my duty to
her, became calm again. and confi
dent in the outcome, when Caton
entered, flushed and visibly excited
from what bad evidently proven an ac
rimonious controversy, I greeted him
with a smile.
"You appear to have experienced dif
ficulties In regard to details," I said
curiously.
"There was much unnecessary talk,"
be admitted, "but matters have been
at last arranged to the satisfaction of
all concerned. You are to meet at
once. In the rear of the big tobacco
shed, a spot entirely removed from ob
servation. I have been compelled to
accept pistols as the weapons, as we
have nothing else here at all suitable
for the purpose—cavalry sabers being
far too cumbersome. IJeutenant Starr
chances to possess two derringers ex
actly alike, which we have mutually
agreed upon. I. hope this Is satisfac
tory to you, Wayne?"
"I am not precisely an expert, but
that does not greatly matter. Who acts
for Brennan T'
"Captain Moorehouse, rather against
his will, I think."
"Very well, Caton; I am perfectly
Katlsfled, and am. Indeed, greatly
obliged to you; yet before we go out
I desire to speak a word or two with
the utmost frankness." I stood facing
hlpn, my band resting lightly upon
the writing table, my eyes reading his
expressive face. 'As my second I wish
you to comprehend fully my
and the motives that Inspire them. If
they are In any way unsatisfactory to
your mind yon may feel at perfect lib
erty to withhold your services. lam
now, and always have been, opposed
to dueling; 1 believe It wrong In prin
ciple, and a travesty upon Justice; but
It is a custom of the South, a require
ment among officers of our army, and
after what has Just occurred between
Major Brennaa and myself I cannot
. V .. . . •«.
honorably refuse any longer to go o\
Major Brennan had deliberately plac
me In a position where I cannot avoid
meeting him without losing all stand
ing in my cocps- I sought to escape,
but was prevented by accident; now
1 simply yield to the Inevitable. 1
feel confident you will not misconstrue
these words; you surely know me suf
ficiently well ao as not to attribute
them to cowardice. 1 shall face blm ex
actly In accordance with your ar
rangements, asking nothing upon my
part, yielding him every satisfaction
he can possibly desire—but I shall
fire in the air."
He stared at me Incredulously, his
face a perfect picture of amazement.
"But, Wayne," he stammered, "are you
aware that Major Brennan is an ex
pert with the pistol? that he holds the
Sixth Corps trophy? Do you realize
that he goes out deliberately Intending
to kill youT'
"1 was not posted as to the first fact
you mention, but have never enter
tained the slightest doubt as to the
other. However, they do not In the
least, afTect my decision. Yet I do not
desire you to suppose that I am at all
qiflxotlc in this—there is a personal
reason why I am perfectly willing to
risk my life rather than Injure Major
Brennan."
His troubled eyes studied me intent
ly, and then his face suddenly bright
ened with a new thought. "Wayne,"
he asked, placing his hand upon my
arm familiarly, "Is It Mrs. Brennan?"
For an instant I hesitated, but his
manly, honest countenance reassured
me. "Between us only. It Is," 1 an
swered gravely; "but not the slightest
blame attaches to ber."
"I do not wholly understand," he
said at last, "yet I do not doubt you
may be perfectly right In your de
cision." He extended his hand Im
pulsively. "I know you to be a good
soldier and a true gentleman; I will
stand by you, Wayne, but I pledge this
—lf he takes advantage treacherous
ly, and you fall (as Ood forbid!) I will
face him myself; and when I do, there
will be no firing In the air."
I do not remember that we spoke,
save once, while we passed out
through the orchard field where the
big tobacco shed stood. Not until we
turned the corner of the great ram
shackle building, which In other and
more prosperous days had been dedi
cated to the curing of the leaf, did
we perceive any signs of the presence
of our antagonists. They were stand
ing upon the further side, directly op
posite the door, and both bowed slight
ly as we approached. The Captain
came toward us slowly.
"It Is to be greatly regretted, gen
tlemen," he said, with ceremonious po
liteness, "that we have no surgeon
with us. However, neither contestant
has any advantage In this respect.
Lieutenant Caton, may I ask if the ar
rangements as already completed have
proven satisfactory to your princi
pal?"
"Entirely so." -■> —>
"Then If you will kindly step this
way a moment we will confer as to
certain details."
Brennan was leaning in negligent
attitude against the side of the build
ing, his eyes fastened upon the ground,
the blue smoke of a cigar curled laz
ily ibove bis head. I glanced toward
him, and then sought to amuse myself
watching the queer antics of a gray
squirrel on the fence rail beyond. I
felt no desire for further thought, only
an intense anxiety for them to hurry
the preliminaries, and have the affair
settled as speedily as possible. I was
aroused by Moorehouse's rather nasal
voice.
"Gentlemen, will you please take
your positions. Major Brennan, you
will stand three paces to the right
of that sapling, facing directly south.
Captain Wayne, kindly walk straight
west from the shed door until you
come oppoelte the Major's position."
I noted Brennan throw away the
stump of his cigar, and then I walked
slowly forward until I reached the
point assignod me. My heart was beat
ing fast new, for I fully realised the
probabilities of the next few minutes,
and felt little doubt that serious in
jury, If not death, was to be my por
tion. Yet my trained nerves did not
fall me, and outwardly I appeared
fully as cool and deliberate as my op
ponent. Years of constant exposure to
peril in every form had yielded me a
grim philosophy of fatalism that now
stood me In most excellent stead. In
deed, 1 doubt not, had I chosen to put
It to the test, my hand would have
proven the steadier of the two, for
Brennan's face was flushed, and he
plainly exhibited the Intense animos
ity with which lie confronted me.
How peculiar the mind often op
erates In such moment* of exciting
suspense. I recall remarking a very
slight stoop In Brennan's shoulders
which 1 had never perceived before,
I remember wondering where Moore
bouse had ever dlacovered a tailor to
give so shocking a nt to his coat, and
finally I grew almost Interested In
two birds perched upon the limb of
a tree opposite where 1 stood. I even
smiled to myself over a Jest one of
the young officers had made an hour
before. Yet with' If al! 1 remained
keenly observant and fully aware of
each movement made by the others on
the field. 1 saw Caton accept tho der
ringer handed him and test It care
fully, the long, Bllm, blue barrel look
ing deadly enough DR he held It up be
tween me and the sky. Then Moore
house approached Brennan with Its
fellow In his grasp, and the Lieutenant
crossed qver, and stood beside me.
"Here Is the gun, Wayne," he
side, "and I sincerely hope you
have changed your decision. There is
no mercy In Brennan's eyes."
"So I notice," I answered, taking
the derringer from him, and examining
It with some curiosity, "hut 1 shall do
as 1 said, nevertheless. It Is not any
sentiment of mercy 1 feel which spares
him, but a duty that appeals to me
even more strongly than bate."
"By Heaven, I wish It were other
wise."
"Who gives the word?" 1 questioned.
"1 do; are you ready?"
"Perfectly."
I held out my hand, and his fingers
closed upon It with warm, friendly
grip. The next moment Brennan nnd
I stood, seemingly alone, facing each
other, as motlonleas as two statues.
His coat was buttoned to the throat,
his rap-visor pulled low over his eyes,
his pistol hand hanging straight down
at his side, his gaze never wavering
from me. I knew he was coolly, de
liberately measuring the distance be
tween us with as deadly a purposo as
any murderer. The almost painful
stillness was broken by'Caton. and I
marked tho tremor In his voice.
"Are you both ready, gentlemen?"
"I am," said Brennan.
"Ready," I replied.
"The word will be one, two, three—
Are; with a slight pauße after tho
three. A report from either pistol be
fore the final word Is spokeu 1 shall
take personally. Be prepared now "
"Ready!" said the voice once more;
and as I saw Brennan'a aftn slowly
rise, I lifted mine also, and covered
him, noting, as I did so, almost In won
der, with what steadiness of nerve
and wrist I held the slender gauge
Just beneath the visor of his cap. De
liberately. as though he dreaded ths
necessity, Caton counted:
"One; two; three —Are!"
My pistol exploded, the charge strik
ing the limb above him, and I stag
gered backward, my hat torn from my
head, a white line cut through my hair
and a thin trickle of blood upon my
temple. I saw Caton rushing toward
me, his face filled with anxiety, and
then Brennan hurled his yet smoking
derringer Into the dirt at his feet with
an oath.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
When Beecher "Hollered."
Coming home from the morning
service one Sunday Dr. Beecher threw
himself on a lounge and said. In a terns
of deep dejection: "I believe that wa»
the worst sermon I ever preached."
One of bis daughters proiested that
she had seldom heard him wfcen he
was more energetic. "Oh, yes." was
the Impatient reply, "When I haven't -
anything to say I always holler."—Ths
Outlook.
His Right to Title.
A French paper says that/ a New
Zealand chief bad Juet taken up his
residence upon a piece of land, his
right to which was contested: "1
have got an undoubted title »o the
property," he observed, "a* I at* ths
preceding o*xif."
TWO WEEKS'
TREATMENT AND
MEDICINE FREE ~
no matter what your disease If jroa saffet
from Rheumatism,write. If yon suffer from
Kidney Trouble, write. No matter what
you suffer from/ write to
MUNYON'S DOCTORS
IM and Jefferson IU., Philadelphia, Pa.
NOT A PENNY TO PAT
Offer Is Good for the Next Thirty Days
DR. M. C. KREITZER'S
IOC SALVE 25C
has been In use over 50 year*. Should
always be kept in the house ready for aoy
emergency. Its soothing and healing quali
ties make it unexcelled in the treatment of
SWELLINBS, FRESH WOUNDS, BOILS.
BURNS,CARBUNCLES,FELONS, SCALDS
TUMORS. ULCERS, CORNS, BUNIONS,
SORES, ETC. For sale by druggists or *
mailed direct on receipt of price. For a
cents we will mail, you a sample box.
W.C.PoWEßiCo.,ls3BN.4thSt.,PhiliiMphia,Pa.
WE tflOO PER SET FOR TEETU
PAY ¥l°° OLD FALSE IEE In
which are of no value to yon. Highest
prices paid for Old Gold, Stiver, Pftttinum,
Diamonds and Precious Stones. Money
sent by return mail.
MIUDEiniU SNELTIM MO REFININO CO.
(Bstabllshed 1) rwn)
B*3 CHESTNUT ST., PHI LAUKLPHIA.PA,
(•••tore* Qray Hair to Natural Color
axauTis uiHtrr ui sicar
lUTlgorateaaod prerents the hair from fall I agoti
r*r Bala k / DnnMa, M hat Mini tf
XANTHINE CO., Mohmond, Virginia
MM *1 tw SMII.I SMft, B.UI. IU. SM4 IW -
Tuffs Pills
The dyspeptic, the deMHtated, whether tioea
excess ot work of mind or body, drink or ««•
MALARIAL REGIONS,
wfll find Tutt's Pflls the most cental restate*
tlve ever offered the Buffering Invalid.
ITh 1 of this paper
Readers
advertised in its columns should
insist upon having whst they ask for,
refusing all substitutes or imitations.
THTNIW FRENCH RIMIDV. N0.1.N0 a.No.J.
THER APION SSig
GREAT A«;CCRBM. Ol'lll BIDNKT. BI.ADDKB DI ARABIC A,
PILBB. CHRONIC Uf.CKRS. AKIN BRVFTIORB- RITHRRBBX
addraaa envelop* ftn VRRB twwikUl !• I»R. 1.1 CLBRO
MRU. CO., HA VRRSTOCK RD„ HAMPBTEAD, LONDON, BNtt.
EARN S3OOO TO SSOOO YEARLY
If you lire In a Miction whore wheat la or can
be grown. Investment 11500. For full particu
lar* addreee K. W. McMannon, Thomson, Cia "
fl iAA Wanted, Second-hand Baa* snd Bnr-
KIKX Imu. Writ® forprIreo.RICHMOND
Wfitlw BAUOOMPAWl,Richmond,Virginia
Charlotte Directory 6
Mall o rdsri atren
HIIIM® prompt attention. Complete stock or
H PHOTO
'•'TJ S3 N. Try on Street, Charlotte. If.O.
RHEUA\ATIS/VV?
Cure youreelf without drujfa,doctors or e*penee.
No faith or mind cure. Pull Inatrnctlona, cure
f uaranteed for BO eta. Addreaa HOME l'( T BR
NBTITUTE, Carrtou Building, Charlotte, N. O.
A POSITION FOR YOU
Wanted Men and Boya to take 80 day* pructlrnl
course In our machine nhop to learn automobile
huslneSN. New and modurn machinery; new rani.
A poult lon for every graduate, Catalogue Free.
C harlotte Auto School, Charlotte, N. C.
Neck Bands For Shirts
Sizes 12 to 18, 5 cents each. '
Mail orders filled promptly.
CHARLOTTE STEAM LAUNDRY, CHARLOTTE, 11
# TYPEWRITERS
New, rebuilt, second hand
and shopworn Typewriters
$lO and up. We sell sup
plies for all makes. OUIS
i* the best equipped repair department in the
South. Deal with us and save money. J. E.
CRAYTON ft CO , Charlotte, N. O.
CAUftriEl II - W * MAKE A »P«CI AIT Y
wwllUr ICLU OF R , TURRL Tubular
ENGINES Boilers and Engines,
_ M _ Tanks and Towers.
AND ™ ™ " They are particularly
P A I I F D C adapted for Saw Mills.
D 111 LL A • oil Mills, Cotton Gin
ning. We also handle Saw Mills and
Gasoline Engines. If you are contem
plating the purchase of new power
plant either steam or gasoline, It will
pay you to write us.
J.S. SCHOFIELD'S SONS CO., MICON, 61.
Branch offlot: 307 W. Trade St., Chartotta, N. C.
Igk
Used Automobiles
We have for sale a limited number
of cars that have either been traded
in on new cars or have been left
with us for sale on commission.
Bargains running from fioo.ooup.
CAROLINA AUTOMOBILE tXCBANOE
Address Bex 561 CfcarMfc, N. C.
W. N. U. t CHARLOTTE, NO. IS-1812.