The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-29

i everywhere
you with deliberate GOODNESS and politeness. 1t you
will not be insulted will not fight me like man. i
shall kill you like dog.
fear nothing in writing this. as your fear and
weakness will not permit you to show this letter. fou
dare not face Investigation
This message threw Percival-Novarez into
cons formation. He saw that he could not avoid
meeting. He knew that according to the
Spauiards idea duel was unavoidable. Perez
val was not coward by any means, and he did
not finch from the results of his rash steps.
| His love for Mercedes had driven him thus far,
and he vowed to himself that he would not try
to avoid the consequences He was all the more
| reckless because he felt the hopelessnesS of his
! love and the impossibility of happy issue to
| his strange experiment He looked over some
letters and cards in the desk in the apartment in
| which be had slept, and found the names of sew
erai apparently intimate friends of Manuel
| Novarez
He then sent messages to two of them ex-
| planning that he had been challenged to duel
| which he could not avoid and that he would ask
! them to represent him in the matter As they
| were evidently Spanish gentlemen Percival felt
/ that DO further explanation or urging was need
| ed. he then dispatched message to Manuel
Warmer. giving the names of his seconds.
| The latter had some difficulty in finding
among the cooler headed friends of the Ameri-
can any wild and romantic enough to carry out
his wishes. AT length after much persuasion,
he induced two of Percivals friends to meet the
other second on the following day at the time
| appointed
That night Percival- Novarez again went to
| Mercedes boudoir. 1t was deserted; a singe gas
| jet burned dimly. He knocked at the door of
| her chamber, and gently tried the door. 1t was
| bolted, and he heard hooking voice call to
| him:
When you have learned Spanish you can
| come in."
The next morning the duel was arranged and
| Percival received a call from his seconds The
| meeting was to take place on Washington
| Heights at o'clock that afternoon swords had
been chosen as the weapons. Percival at once
sent word to DR.. Ramaya ana, telling him of the
whole affair and requesting him to act as attend
| ing surgeon They drove together TO the place OF
meeting
Il am sorry to find our little experiment is
turning out so tragically." remarked the old
Hindoo.
Il should have left the Spaniard asleep for a
week two. and then this trouble might have
been avoided. How did the beautiful Mercedes
receive you2"
II don't know how it was" replied Percival.
but she seemed to divine that was stranger
in disguise. She was cold toward me as ice. |
told you that you could do nothing for me.
am more unhappy now than ever. to be near
her and yet not feel that she is really mine"
"Ahi You are right" unused DIR. Ramayana,
with sigh. There is limit to ones power.
No doubt her sensitive soul felt the strange pres
ence even in this familiar body. pity you but
must confess my own powerlessness to help
you further" The remainder of the ride was
passed almost in silence Percival seemed
gloomy and despondent DR.. Ramayana was
Finally the carriage stopped The two men
alighted and made their way up the
hill toward grove of trees on the summit
They saw further down the road another car
riage, which evidently belonged to the other
party. The sun was sinking beyond the Hud-
son as they reached the appointed spot There
was very little ceremony INDUCED in and few
words spoken. Manuel Warmer started when
he saw Dr. Ramayana, but he said nothing, and
did not return the Hindoo's formal bow.
The swords were measured and the men fell
into position. The seconds gave the word.
Then came the moment of suspense. in which
the adversaries silently watched each other,
studying each others points and planning the
attack or the parry It was strange combat,
which was only understood by the two men and
perhaps ono spectator. Each had in front OF
him his own body. and must drive the blade
into flesh which two days before had belonged
to himself 1t seemed like sort OF mutual
suicide Both Percival and his opponent felt
a sudden horror at finding himself face to face,
sword in hand, with his own phantom.
The moment of suspense ended with sudden
clash of steel; parry and thrust followed in
rapid succession. The Spaniard possessed the
mental skill, but did find Percivals body re-
sponsive: on the other hand Percival, who was
Indifferent swordsman, found that with his
present eye and hand he more agile and
deXterous than ever before.
Manuel put forth all his skill. but Perciva1
cody met and turned aside his tbrusts. The
play of the swords became more rapid and fierce |
Manuel grew nervous and excited. He became
which could deceive Mercedes, though it had |
formerly been his own. His sword play grew |
wilder and more reckless At great risk he |
tried straight thrust, madly hoping to reach |
the heart of his rival, but Percivals |
GOODNESS stood him in good stead; Manuers |
sword was seized with that quick irresistible |
twist; moment the two weapons were locked |
motonless; then Manuels blade wrenched |
from his hand, few flashing in the air, and fell
q few feet away. The unarmed man stood at
the mercy of his rival.
Manuel waited motionless for the deadly
thrust
The seconds were astounded to see Percival
throw down his sword. take Manuel by the arm
and lead him off across the hill among the trees.
What do you want9" asked Manuel, after
they were hidden from view in the grove. "You
know that both of us cannot live this earth.
Why do you not kill me at once, and SO on with
the fight"
wait moment" said Percival, 81 have
something to say you. Your happiness is in
my hands. l can kill you to-day and forever
keep this body, which, 1 will not hesitate to say
to you here alone, rightfully belongs to YOU
But, to confess the truth, l wish to spare my
mother the sorrow which the death of this body
you inherit would cause her."
Manuel could say nothing to these self-evdent
truths.
''If refuse to re-exchanee identities" con-
tinued Percval, ''all your attempts at esta blish
ing your claim will be of avail You would
pass as monomaniac, and IL yon became vio-
lent. shut If you succeeded in killing me, it
Friends would saw Poor Warriner' But your
story would not be believed"
Manuel nodded Respondent acknowledgment
of these facts.
"You are now Percival Warmer. You doubt |
less know from the perusal of his papers and
diaries that for two years ne has cherished
hopeless passion for Sonora Novarez."
Yes. know it, groaned Manuel
"Then to the point. To reach her used
strange means Or ham6yala undertook TO
change our bodies, transferring my entity to
your corporeal investments. and yours to mine.
The experiment was successful. but alas! my
folly! Take back your body. Mercedes does
not love She seems to feel that though
unchanged in appearance, am not you. She
IS cold and distant l cannot bear this torture.
am a lover. but not thief. The object of my
love see never be mine and will not de-
prive you of her."
He stopped, and in moment went in less
husky and broken voice:
Come, give me your hand. Let us be recon |
,iled. return to the seconds and tell them the |
affair is settled. Go with DR.. Ramayana to his
apartments and once more possess own |
.ightful bodies"
Manuel took the offered hand, and the two
walked arm in arm back to the place of the duel
Gentlemen" said Percival, "there is nothing |
ike crossing swords to clear up misapprehen-
ZION. Mr.-Mr. Warmer and myself have |