The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-09-06


"Your friend sails under new name
since I knew him, but I would just as
soon let him feel the point of my sword
under the alias of Capt. Grant as the
Count Romanoff. You can say to him,
sir, from mo, that he will hear from
Roger Darrell in the course of day or
two, and that I conjure him to abstain
from liquor in the meantime, lest he fell
to give me the sport expect"
The officers eyes sparkled.
"You have my best wishes, Mr.. Darrell.
The captain and l are acquaintances,
nothing more, while in you 1 recognize a
fellow Virginian. Still 1 shall do my duty
as his second"
few more words, and Lieut.. Car
son walked away. He did not note
the trembling Of the bushes close by, or
see the white face that was thrust out
after his departure, There had been an
eaves-dropper to the interview, and from
that fact much was to come, as will be
presently seen.
That very evening Capt. Grant was
made the recipient of letter purporting
to come from Roger Darrell, in which the
time, place and weapons were named.
He received it with every demonstration
of delight, and there was no reason to
believe that he was was otherwise than
sincere.
His preparations were simple and soon
completed. When the early dawn came,
his second was with him, and together
they set out for the place appointed as a
rendezvous,
At some time In the dim past 1t had
been ground consecrated to burial pur-
poses, and the weeping willows still
swayed their long slender branches over
O few stones that were half hidden in the
tall, rank grass.
Hardly had they come to pause, how
ever, when a couple of forms appeared
among the trees and advanced to where
they were standing.
To the surprise Of the captain, neither
of these was Roger Darrell. Before he
could comment on this fact, however, the
strangers had arrived close to them.
One was handsome man, the other a
tall, willowy youth, with small, dark
na,stache. The latter's hat was 80 ar
ranged as to hide part of his face, but the
flashing eyes seemed to pierce the captain
through and through, and somehow he
shivered as though seized with the ague.
"You are in time, gentlemen" said the
handsome man, in musical voice.
"We are we'll aware Of that, Sir, but
how is this? I do not see your princi-
pal, returned Lieut.. Carson.
"He Is here" said the youth quietly.
His words produced something Of
sensation. and Lieut.. Carson laughed.
''There is some mistake, he said 1--WE
came out to meet another"
''That other will not be here, and In
order that the gentleman should not be
disappointed IN meeting Virginian, my
friend here is willing to cross blades with
you," and the handsome man indicated
with his hand his comrade.
Capt. Grant laughe aloud.
81 have passed through some strange
scenes in my life, but assure you, gen.
tlemen, this beats them all. What do
you take me for? My life is certainly
valuable to me at least; therefore, you
will pardon me if decline to risk it In an
engagement with one with whom I have
no quarrel, and whom cannot even rec
OlICCC lldNluS liICU DOlOlC. IL 10 tOO dD-
surd."
The face Of the youth reddened trihe,
as though the voice of the captain, more
than the words he uttered, touched some
hidden chord deep in his heart, and
brought up from the grave Of time men,
ories that were far from pleasant.
Though the duelist knew him not, these
two had met before, and ero they sepa-
rated now the truth was brought homo to
him.
care we to understand that you refuse
to fight, then2" inquired the handsome
stranger.
Exactly. lam always very particular
as to whom meet on the field of honor and
would not like to sully my sword in an
engagement with an unknown party. If
my foeman has been cowardly enough to
send some one in his place because he
lacked the courage to face the man he in
suited, then you may go back to him, and
tell him Capt. Grant brands him as an in
famous -"
"Hold !" cried the youth, in strangely
stern voice; ''say no moro. The gentle
man never sent an answer to your chal-
lenge. Probably there will one come to-
day, but I mean to place you In a
condition where accepting 1t will be out
of the question. 1t was my friend wrote
you, and 1 am here to keep my agree
ment You are a coward if you do not
fight me-" and he whispered a name
In the duelist's ear.
"Your object is fully accomplished, my
friend. Who you are, and what the cause
of your enmity may be, know not; but
this is now a small matter with me. 1
see your friend has swords with him. We
will test their temper"
He took one of the blades offered to
him almost without thought, and tried
it over his knee. They were of the finest
material. and the eyes of the duelist
lighted up with satisfaction when he dis
covered this fact, for he loved q good
sword above all things.
At q given signal the long swords
crossed, and the duel had begun.
The steel blades writhed, twisted and
squirmed like so many serpents, and yet
so well matched were the two antag-
onists that it seemed impossible for
either to accomplish the desired result.
When Capt. Grant found his favorite
secret thrusts, learned from the most
cunning sword-master of Paris, met and
neatly turned, he began to grow alarmed,
but fought on desperately.
He had already been made the recipient
of several wounds, and all at once tho
conviction came upon him that he had
met his master.
Tilyo lUhtaninO tho sword ~ tho