Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-05
A WOMAN Halter.

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Won Metz Yves the personifcation Of soldier
His manly figure and bis martial bearing
made him the idol of the barracks Theladies
of Berlin shared that opinion. When Hans
rode Inter den Linden many glance from
lady fair fingered on the stately form Of the
cavalier. These shots Hans bore with the
greatest sang-froid and they fell as harm
lessly around him as tho bullets at Grave
lotte. Hans soon became known as woman
hater, and this reputation spread from the
mess table to the world beyond. The conse-
quence was that Hans received more invita-
tons to swell affairs than usually fell to the
lot Of an officer with an empty title 1t was
also noticed that Hans drank heavily. Con-
trary to the usual result with other men,
wine made Hans taciturn and sullen and
chary Of speech.
1t was one night in January when Won
Schwall, of the Cuirassiers, invited us to his
rooms, opposite the barracks. Hans was one
of the party, which numbered about eighteen.
The battle opened about O'Clock, and at 10
a battery of empty bottles lined the side
board. Won Schwall had just finished q cap
ital story, at which Hans even smiled, when,
as the last sound died away, discordant
echo came from the street below.
Help! Help!" shrieked a female voice.
And before the last shrek was lost Hans, who
was nearest the door, dashed down the stairs.
Capt. Fallersleben, Lieut.. Schliff and myself
were close behind. As reached the sidewalk
l saw Hans In the middle of the street raise
the struggling form of man In his arms,
poise him aloft for a moment and the next
hurl him to the ground. The unfortunate
fellow did not move or groan. Hans now
turned lis attention to the woman, who
seemed dazed with fright, while we and
group Of spectators attracted to the scene
stood spellbound. Our uniforms awed the
citizens into passiveness and they supposed
that it was one Of the usual street brawls
among wine laden soldiers when interference
by outsiders is dangerous. As Hans spoke
some words Of reinsurance to her she turned
her head and the nearest gas lamp threw its
light across her face. Hans started back like
a man who had received blow; the woman
at the same time gave shrek and fled. In
the meantime our friends had sailed from
the house and were grouped around the in
jured man, and as approached Fallersleben
and Schliff lifted him and carried him into
the house
1t was then I caught sight of his face
Imagine my surprise when l recognized in
that pallid countenance Count W., one CT
the most prominent figures in diplomatic
circles and the gayest gallant Of tie capital
We were all lost in surmise. Fallersleben.
SchliR and myself were beStormed with
questions Hans was deaf TO all interroga-
tories and, perhaps, was as ignorant of the
cause of tue fracas as ourselves. He seemed
more excited, however, than even the stir
ringevents which had Just transpired war
ranted, and after draining huge bumper Of
champagne, he left the room without look
or inquiry for his wounded antagonist.
Meanwhile, DR.. Meyer, staff surgeon of the
regiment, who fortunately made one of our
party, assisted by the others, had restored
the wounded man to consciousness. 1t was
found that his left arm was broken in two
places. Too weak TO talk the patient was
strong enough to be removed TO his hotel.
After discussing the matter at some length
we also left to await further developments.
Three months passed. Count W. had COM
pletely recovered from his injuries. His
story was brief and his connection with the
affair decidedly unromantic. Leaving a
friends house, where the bottle had Circu-
lated rather freely, he had dismissed his car
riage, preferring the short walk to his hotel
TO the drive Striking into a side street he
saw before him tho yelled figure of a woman.
AS he neared, her graceful carriage attracted
him \ pleasant good evening" met with a
CHEEKY response and the acceptance Of the
counts extended arm. The woman seemed
educated above her class, and her companion
was soon lost in an animated conversation
with her. Suddenly, when in front of Won
Schwall's rooms, the count missed diamond
pin which he usually wore on his scarf. At
once 1t flashed through his muddled brain
that his fair cbarmer was the thief The
wine and the loss Of the diamond robbed him
of his better Judgment, and he grasped the
woman by the throat. Her screams brought
about the event above narrated. Detectives
were put upon the case and in a few days ar
rested Adele dc Gichy, as she called herself,
Cyprian. She was arraigned, the diamond
in the meantime having been discovered in
pawn shop, where she had pawned it, and she
was sentenced 20 three years Imprisonment
at hard labor. A few days after the trial,
while seated at breakfast, Hans entered my
room abruptly.
Karl" he began, without any preamble,
Il havo been challenged by Count ". Bless
ing, Of the Thirty-third, is his second, ind I
have taken the liberty to refer him to you as
my friend"
"Challeugedl" managed to articulate in
nv establishment You don't mean TO say
that W. has challenged you on account Of
that affair Of the diamond robbery"
well, be has never bore me any love since
that little unpleasantness, 4" said Hans with
shrug But we met at the shooting gallery
this morning. 4 push, unintentional, Of
course, you'll understand, made him miss
fine shot. Ee accused me Of pushing him on
purpose. did not think it worth while TO
assure him of the contrary, it would have
sounded too much like an apology. VOLTA,
the RESULT"
With the enthusiasm Of youth / accepted
the post, and Hans left with the request TO
meet him at the Casino that night, and the
parting injunction TO accede 10 every stipu-
lation made by the other side. l demurred,
but he was obstinate, and my demurrer was
useless About IL o'clock Blessing called, and
the duel was soon arranged My friend was
10 meet the count next morning ct dawn in
little strip Of wood about three miles from
the city. The duelists were 10 fire at the
word three and TO continue firing until
one Of them was killed or disabled, or the
weapons were enptied. The latter stipulG
ton l knew was superhuous, as both were
crack shots.
AT O'Clock my servant woke me out Of
restless slunber. BY the time had finished
q hasty breakfast Of coffee and rolls the car
riase arrived which was 90 take me 70 the
scene Of conetct saw Hans and DR.. Meyer
seated In toe vehicle smoking cigars, appar-
emily with the utmost concern. My greeting
was not ELUSIVE, time had danpened my
ardor, and as took my seat beside my friend
serious opprehenIops erose in my mind. The
coolaess Of my companions, who chatted