Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-08-04
A DREAM DUEL.


crept over me- Inc remembrance is
distinct The sou .ds 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 mpted me in my idle
moments II was ever a dreamer-l
heard the click Of steel. mingled with a
rasp, as of one Llade 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 AMI
anxiety-my whole Icing becoming sur
charged with intensity of feeling, which
at it's climax was succeeded by sense
of exultation. What did it mean?
As grew older and approached mans
estate the peculiar sounds recurred at
briefer intervals, and the spell increased
In power. while maturer reason sought
as indefatigably for their eau and
source, but without avail. Once | was
so startled that / almost tainted. 1t was
when, for the fir 4 time, | took foil in
my hand. All, how my heart leaped, as
if with Joy, as grasped the firm hilt,
and what thrill shook me as the fin
gers of my left hand passed caressingly
along the sinuous steel! 1t seemed rs if
/ were welcoming an old friend after a
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, ! shall never forget that
first bout. Pasti ne was never more con-
genial; skill never came more readily and
naturally to beginner. What was tat
work on me2 ! sprang forward at a
mocking challenge, and when steel
touched steel sti ong electric current
passed through me. My opponent, be it
known, was no n vice, but he found
that the despised beginner WAS not to be
buttoned freely and at will. He sought
to trifie with me, and tempted my blade
to thrust, expecting to place me at his
mercy. You sholId have seen his facel
Instead of making awkward passes
lunged Ell carte, EN- t:erce--once! twice!
thrice!-and for cry time that / sa-
luted he was hit twice. My guard was
perfect, and he bit his lip in vexation.
Ny companions looked on in amazement
II was no less astounded by my own
prowess-and my vanquished opponent
at the close of the bout laughingly ac-
cused me of having studied in secret that
might humiliate him. My positive
half angry denial on-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 was no stranger to the
foils. Skill and finasse developed them
selves. But there " always that inn
petuousness, that fcrceness, that heart
and soul enthusiasm on my part. until
the others, fearing them, would not
fence with me; and it came to pass that
in my moody moments fought with an
imaginary antagonist, so eager was l to
feel the hilt in my nervous hand.
One day as stood, foil in rest, adjust
ing my cuff. my modern environment
suddenly melted away. / stood in the
open air. / was in grove; the foliage
luxuriant, the sward beneath beautiful
green. A faint, scent laden breeze
stirred the atmosphere; the loveliest
flowers blossomed here and there, and
in the background / saw an old castle,
ivy grown and massive, from the height
of whose gray tower there futtered a
crimson pennant. Before me stood a
young man, sword in hand, in strange
attire, his form clothed in rich black
velvet and decked with a profusion of
feathery lace. / marvelled, for he was
a stranger to me. yet had vague rec
Ollection that / had seen him before.
Where was it.? cudgelled my brain in
vain. Looking down, 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 him lounged a
companion, in similar costume, who
scowled darkly at me.
@Allonsl messieursl"
The exclamation recalled my scattered
senses, and / instinctively placed myself
on guard, the other doing likewise.
Clicks cIickg The swords met-my foil
had by some process been metamorphosed
into 3 keen rapier and the blades moved
cautiously. Ali q lungel mon Dieul
whispered some one, drawing quick
breath, As if fearing for my safety. The
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