The Price He Paid — page 296: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE DUEL. 287 moment, and the fear of misinterpretation, in some measure restored firmness to his bearing, his hand shook visibly as he leveled the deadly weapon at the breast of the friend he had once so ardently loved. Wilten gave the signal. The two shots crashed forth together; and, for a moment, both adver- saries stood upright, facing each other. Then one man dropped his weapon, pressed his hand to his breast, took a step back, and fell, without uttering a sound. Arno Raven lay stretched on the ground, and the white rime on the grass around him grew dark with a deep-red stain. Max hastily assured himself that his father was unhurt, and then hurried to the side of the wounded man, whom the colonel was already endeavoring to succor. Brunnow stood motionless, clutching his pistol, and gazing over with fixed, vacant eyes at the group opposite him. The gentleman who had acted as his second came up to him and spoke. “What is the meaning of this?’ he asked, ina low voice. “Was it not the baron who challenged you? He fired in the air.” The word seemed to dispel the torpor which para- lyzed Brunnow. He threw down his pistol, and rushed over to the others. “Arno!” he cried, with an exceeding bitter cry of dispair. Max was attempting to staunch the blood; but his father thrust him violently aside, as though he alone had aright to that place, tore from him the handkerchief, and pressed it tothe wound. ‘The young man withdrew in silence, signing to_ the colonel and his father’s second, who were looking on at the scene in surprise and concern, to step aside with him. “Can you give the baron no assistance?” asked the colonel, in a half-whisper. “There is none to be given,” replied Max. “My first glance at the wound showed me it was mortal. It is only a question of a few minutes, and my father will do what is necessary. I beg of you to leave him alone with the dying man.” | EoOmichboo <S (E(0)