The Red Cloud chief., 1884-08-08

tson that ] Nm . kllov. Whist Il yozl
decision. Monsisar L. Cu~rdes"
"Ihis." returned the ~Frenchmsa.
and. reaching out his hand. he slapped
Herman lightly upon the check.
HerInsn's face was Iivd with rnEe.
A dozen hands were put forth % deter
him from venting his anger upon his
r.val Pushing the hands away. he
said:
Stand away. gentlemen. You need
have no fear ths; I win forget Whist i.
due the honor Of . Gentleman"
lie Guarde then exclaimed. in irnpas-
stoned tones:
"You come here. and inirudc your
pretty baby face you seek 20 circum.
ven by foul means men who nave been
here longer than you have /; you are .
mere boy. and we might excuse all tina,
has been. for that Doubtless you feel
secure in the hope tina; YOU will some
day win the hand Of the fair Gretchen
Grouse"
It was . cruel. cowsrdly speech; and
ven lie Guarde's face grew . shade
winter as be net the blazing eyes
which fastened their gaze upon him
Liar. / have never tried TO circum-
vent a single mans plans. have never
been unjust in my dealings with you.
Monsieur lie Guarde, or any other man
As for Gretchen Grouse (and I beg 70
be pardoned for uttering her name in
connection with this affair. she has
promised her hand tn me. Her heart
has been mine evcr since we first met"
A muttered imprecation Of rage
sprang from the Frenchman's lips, ard
he furiously calculated
"Eight We must, and to the death! Dare
you give me the choice Of Weapons
81 dare" responded Herman.
'In 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
of a o of yards. and, with pistol in
hand, take aim. kill or are killed.
Have you v heard Of the duel known
as AT the stroke of twelve?'"
mo. l am prepared to be enlight-
responded Herman.
"A set Of dice We shake them. and
the man who throws lowest is the
DO You comprehend. Monsieur
Won Berg?"
$50 on. What Of the victim?" re-
sponded Herman.
''Why. you see. the victor is relieved
of the disagreeable duty of-ahem-
the other"
"Why, what do You mean, MANI"
quickly responded Herman.
ssXnn coo oftar tho Nica ora thro.y,
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
twelve, he
''Whatp" burst forth a chorus OF
voices.
"He puts out his own life's light.
stabs, or does it in a way which
best suits him"
A hush fell upon the party. Such a
duel was a hitherto unheard of affair;
and when to death was added suicide,
It sen: an icy chill to each students
heart, and frOze the tongue with horror
They cast the dice. and Herman Won
Berg threw the lowest.
"You see, my dear sir-beg pardon
you lose. Is it not a handy way?"
the Frenchman, taking up a wine
glass, and draining it's contents.
Herman's face was a peculiar study.
heart was yet warm with the words
which Gretchen had uttered. In his
,ars yet rung the promise IL marry him.
And now all is lost. The brightness,
he sunshine of loving. the glow of ex.
stence. must shortly fade away. and
leath will be Herman Won Berg's bride.
of fair Gretchen Grouse.
After clasping hands with each of h is
comrades, and telling each man not to
ollow him under any circumstances. he
eft the tap-roOm, and went up the steep
walk winding about the hill.
l saw him when he passed me here
N the terrace. and thought it strange
hen, when, after saying goodnight"
me he went TO the balcony there,
overlooking the CITY with its shining
light below, and, stretching out his arms,
aid:
''Gretchen-wOn and lost. q bride,
md not a BRIDE bid thee farewell at
he stroke of twelve"
He then went into the building. Ten,
wenty minutes passed, and, as the
lock upon the tower pealed forth the
Midnight hour, the sharp report of a pis.
oil rang out.
They wen to his room, and all that
emained of a promising. handsome,
alented man was a piece of bleeding
lay.
"And Gretchen Grouse. what became
# herp" l asked.
''Humph!" uttered the old man. turn.
no away, ''wOman like. she married La
after he graduated."-H. S.
in BdiIon's Monthly.