The prime object of the meeting had been
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¢ Gentlemen,” said Randolph, “ we have beensaved by a miracle. This old gun, as well as Ican remember and count, has been loaded forthe past twenty-five years, and if Pete had triedto fire it, it would have torn up all of this partof the county.” Then the eyes of the twocombatants met. “There was something irresis-tibly funny in the whole situation, and they foundthemselves roaring again. Then, with one im-pulse, they shook hands without a word. And Pete led the way home, the willing buttof a volume of good-natured abuse. 18t >: a aye: aleeve NELSE HATTON’S VENGEANCE Ir was at the close of a summer day, and thesun was sinking dimly red over the hills of thelittle Ohio town which, for convenience, letus call Dexter. The people had eaten their suppers, and themale portion of the families had come out infront of their houses to smoke and rest or readthe evening paper. Those who had porchesdrew their rockers out on them, and sat withtheir feet on the railing. Others took theirmore humble positions on the front steps, whilestill others, whose houses were flush with thestreet, went even so far as to bring their chairsout upon the sidewalk, and over all there wasan air of calmness and repose save when aglance through the open doors revealed thehousewives busy at their evening dishes, orthe blithe voices of the children playing in thestreet told that little Sally Waters was a-sittingin a saucer or asserted with doubtful veracitythat London Bridge was falling down. Here 185
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