Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-09-05
A DREAM DUEL.

distinct. The sounds were faint at first
mere subdued echoes of fancy. In my
lonely hours of reverie, when drifted
into the Elysium had created for my
self, and which tempted me in my idle
moments Il was ever dreamer-l
heard the click OF steel, mingled with q
rasp. as of one blade gliding along an
other A strange excitation seized me;
my heart bounded within me; every
fiber sprang into action and trembled
not in fear, but with eagerness and
anxiety-my whole being becoming sur
charged with intensity of feeling, which
at its climax was succeeded by a sense
of exultation. What did it mean?
AS grew older and approached man'c
estate the peculiar sounds required nc
briefer intervals, and the spell increased
in power. while maturer reason sought
as indefatigably for their cause and
source. but without avail. Once / WAS
so startled that almost tainted. 1t was
when, for the first time, took fol an
my hand. All, how my heart leaped, as
if with joy, as grasped the firm hit,
and what thrill shook me as the fin
gers of my left hand passed caressiHGly
along the sinuous steel! 1t seemed Us il
j were welcoming an old friend after q
long absence; and yet, could not tell
why.
had always had an instructive liking
for sword play, but knew nothing of
its science.
Then, too, I shall never forget that
genial; skill never came more readily and
nasurally to beginner. What was itat
work on me? / sprang forward at q
knocking challenge, and when steel
touched steel strong electric current
passed through me. Ny opponent, be it
known, WAS no n ,vicc. hut he found
that the despised beginner was not TO be
buttoned freely and at viii. He sought
TO trifie with me, and tempted my blade
TO thrust. expecting to place me at his
mercy. You should have seen his face!
Instead of making awkward passe' |
lunged Ell carte. Ell tierce-oncei twice!
thrice!-and for every time that j sa-
luted he was hit twice. My guard was
perfect, and lie bit his lip in veNation
companions looked on in ama2ement
Il was no less astoundea by my'own
prowess-and my vanquished opponent
at the close of the bout laughingly ac-
cusedm of having studied in secret that
j might humiliate him. My positive
half angry denial non-plussed but did
not convince him. That night sat for
hours in a brown stuny, striving to
fathom the mystery; but an impenetrable
mist surrounded me, and all that came
therefrom was the ominous clicking of
steel
After that l was no stranger TO the
foils. Skill and finesse developed them
selves Bat there was always that inn
nervousness, that fierceness. that heart
aud soul enthusiasm on my part. until
tho Others, fearing them, would not
fence with me; and it came to pass that
in my moody moments fought with an
i,nag nary antagonist, so eager WAS l to
feel the hilt in my nervous hand.
One day as l stood, foil in rest, adjust
ing my emf. my modern environment
suddenly melted away. stood in the
open mir. i was in grove; the foliage
luYuriant, the sward beneath a beautiful
green "A faint, scent laden breeze
stirred the atmosphere; the lovelieSt
flowers hlOssomed here and there, and
in the background / saw an old castle,
ivy grown ;and massive. from the height
of whose gray tower there fiuttcred q
crimson remnant. Before me stood q
young man. sword in hand, in strange
attire, his form clothed in rich black
velvet and deched with profusien of
feathery lace. l marvelled, for he was
n stranger to me, yet had vague rec
election chat i had seen him before
Where was it? cudgelled my BRAIN in
vain. Looking down, l beheld myself
in raiment like his own, save that there
was less lace and wore heavy riding
boots. while he had none. The CLEAN of
another sword reflected my inquiring
wondering glance. Near linn lounged a
companion, in similar Costume, wlsc
scowled darby at me
-Allons! messieurs!"
The exclamation recalled my scattered
sarsS3, end instinctiveIy placed myself
ON guard. the other doing likewise.
Click! clickl The swords met-my foil
ina DY some PROCESS OetH hle' dulOr I)iiOoei'
into a keen rapier-and the blades moved
cautiously. All! lungel "Mon Dieu!
whispered some one, drawing a quick
breath, Us if fearing for my safety. The
thrust was close, but parted with light
ing rapidity and forced my antagonist
to give way. Once! twice!-his blade
grrus.u aiong my own like q metal snake
and came rerilously near, but my wrist
was now like knit steel, and for the third
time evadcd fate. Passion seized me
ihen-for what reason can not tell-and
my sword became swift as bar of sun
light CIickl click! an incredibly quick
movement a cry! All, my God! The
blood spouted from his breast, and lie
fell heavily. while some one laid hand
upon my shoulder and whispered, ex-
ultsntly: "Bien. c'est magnifque" j
turned TO mechanically grasp the hand
of another strange actor in this stranger
drama--my second, presumably-and
experienced sense OF triumph.