Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-08-07
ton that I am a fellow. What is your

ton that am a fellow. What is your
decision, Monsieur LIE Guarde?'
"This," returned the Frenchman,
and, reaching out his hand. he slapped
Herman lightly Upon the cheek.
Hermans face was livid with rage
A dozen hands were put forth to deter
him from venting his anger upon his
rival. Pushing the hands away, he
said:
Stand away, gentlemen. You need
have no fear that l will forget what is
due the honor of gentleman.
lie Guarde then exclaimed, in impas.
stoned tones:
'You come here. and intrude your
pretty baby face; you seek to circum-
vent by foul means men who have been
here longer than you have; you are a
mere boy, and we NIGH: excuse all that
has been, for that. Doubtless you feel
secure in the hope that You will some
day win the hand of the fair Gretchen
Grouse
1t was cruel. cowardly speech: and
even lie Guarde's face grew a shade
whittier as he met the blazing eyes
which fastened their gaze upon him.
Liar! l have never tried to circum-
vent single mans plans. have never
been unjust in my dealings with you,
Monsieur LIE Guarde, or any other man.
AS for Gretchen Grouse (and beg to
be pardoned for uttering her name in
connection with this affair.", she has
promised her hand to me. Her heart
has been mine ever since we first met"
A muttered imprecation of rage
sprang from the Frenchman's lips, ard
he furiously calculated
Slight we must, and to the death! Dare
you give me the choice of weapons?'
IL dare" responded Herman.
'1n France we have many affairs of
honor, SO to speak. Men meet at the
foirs point, and die, gasping as their
life blood gushes. forth. Men measure
off score of yards, and, with pistol in
hand, take aim, kill or are killed.
Have you ever heard of the duel known
as AT the stroke of twelve?'
''No. l am prepared to be enlight-
encd," responded Herman.
"a set of dice; we shake them, and
the man who throws lowest is the
victim. Do you comprehend, Monsieur
Won Berg?"
go on. What of the victim?'' re-
sponded Herman.
"Why, you see, the victor is relieved
of the disagreeable duty of-ahem-
killing the other.''
"Why, what do YOU mean, mau?"
quickly responded Herman.
"YOu see, after the dice are thrown,
the one who throws lowest prepares to
die, In other words, he makes his
peace with this world, and gets ready
for the other, and, when the clock
strikes twelve, he"
"What?" burst forth chorus of
voices.
"He puts out his own life's light.
Poison, stabs, or does it in way which
best suits him.
A hush fell upon the party. Such a
duel was hitherto unheard of affair;
and when to death was added suicide,
it sent an icy chill to each students
heart, and froze the tongue with horror
They cast the dice. and Herman Won
Berg threw the loves.
You see, my dear sir-beg pardon
you lose. Is it not a handy way?"
asked the Frcnchms.:, taking up wine
glass. and draining its contents.
Herman's face was peculiar study. |
His heart was yet warm with the words |
which Gretchen had uttered. In his
ears yet rung the promise to marry him. |
And now all is lost The brightness,
the sunshine OF loving, the glow of ex-
istence, must shortly fade away, and
death will be Herman Won Berg's bride,
instead of fair Gretchen Grouse.
After clasping hands with each of h is
and telling each man not to
follow him under any circumstances, he
eft the tap-room, and went up the steep
walk winding about the hill.
saw him when lie passed me here
On the terrace. and thought it strange
shen, when, after saying '.good-night''
20 me, he went to the balcony there,
the city with its shining
light below, and, stretching out his arms,
said:
'.Gretchen-won and lost. bride,
md not bride-I bid thee farewell at
he stroke of twelve''
He then went into the building. Ten,
wenty minutes passed, and, rs the
,lock upon the tower pealed forth the
midnight hour, the sharp report Of a pts
ol rang out.
They went to his room, and all that
'emained of promising, handsome,
alented man was piece of bleeding
LAY.
"And Gretchen Grouse, what became
If her?' / asked.
''Humph"' uttered the old man, turn
NO away, "woman-like. she married LIE
iuarde, after he graduated. III. S.
Keller. in BaLlOu's MOuthku.