Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-08-28


ment suddenly loelted away. l stood
in the open air. I was in grove the
foliage luxurlant, the sward beneath a
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
Auttered a crimson pennant. Before
me stood young man. sword in hand,
in strange attire, his form clothed in
rich black velvet and decked with a
protusion of teathery lace. | marvelled,
for he was a stranger to me, yet had a
vague recollection that l had seen him
before. Where was it? I cudgelled
my brain in vain. Looking down,
beheld myself in raiment like his own,
save that there was less lace and | wore
heavy rlding boots, while he had none,
The gleam of another sword reflected
my inquiring wondering glance. Near
him lounged a companion, in similar
costume, who soowled darkly at me.
GALLONS! messieurs
The exclamation recalled my scatter.
cd senses, and l lnstinctively placed
myself on guard, the other doing like
wise. Click click ! The swords met
my foil had by some process been
metamorphosed into keen rapier-and
the blades moved cautiously. All a
lunge! mon Dieu! y whispered some
one, drawing quick breath, as if fear
ing for my safety. The thrust was
close, but | parried with lightning
rapidity and forced my antagonist te
give way. Once! twice his blade
glided along nay own like metal snake
and came perilously near, but my wrist
was now like knit steel, and for the
third time | evaded fate. Passion
seized me then-for what reason | Cal
not tell-and my sword became swift
as bar Of sunlight. Click click ! an
incredibly quick movement! CRY
All, my God The blood spoutcd from
his breast, and he fell heavily, while
some one laid hand upon my should
er and whispered, cxultantly; "Blen
G est magnihquc Y I turned to mechan
ically grasp the hand Of another stranS'
actor iu this stranger drama-my
second, prcsumably--and | experienced
sense of triumph.
Then a womans shrek pierced the
silence.
1t is ringing in my ears now, like az
echo from the remote past. "A woman
almost girl-dashed into our midst
sprang to the side of the fallen man
bent and encircled his neck with hel
arm, and raincd passionate, despalrlns
kisses upon his handsome face. Too
late too late Just heaven why dlt
no pity creep into my stony heart: a
smile illuminated his aShen features
sight Of her; then it vanished with th'
light in his glazing eyes, and as
CHASTITY rattle broke the stiffness CRY
escaped her and she fell lifeless acros
his dead body.
The scene faded. | was again stand
Ing in the long room pensiyely resting
upon the hilt of my foil, the cynosur'
laughing eyes, the object of good'natur
ed badinage. They told me that
should take to the mimic stage, so per
fectly did act the part of a ducllst
The expression of my face, they said
was matchless.
I have since refrained from toachln:
sword.
And ever-ln my study, on the
street, anywhere-there comes time
when | hear peculiar sound-cllck
click! Then my fingers twitch nerv-
ously | seem to hold rapier, long ane
keen grove surrounds me and l fact
an unknown but half familiar antago
INST. l hear the peremptory words:-
"Allons, messieurs !" Next-cllck
click The cautious passes! the lunges
the parrles the tall the shrek tho
rattle the woman's cry of anguish
my God, it is terrible T!
And then I am myself again.
"What can 1t mean? What memor,
haunts me ~ Franklyn W. Lee.