Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-07-09
CHAPTER XVII.


in wide circle gently leads up to Wart-
burg castle
The air was filed with thick mist,
which did not permit the eye to pene-
trate more than ten feet The driver
could hardly see the ears of his own
horses
The coach went up the gently ascend
ing road with all the speed such public
cOnveyanees are capable of developing.
On the southern slope Of the castle hill
it stopped
Three gentlemen emerged from the
carriage and disappeared on the narrow
footpath that led from the road into the
forest
The path led TO a small opening, COW
cred with a short growth of grass that
made as yelyety and elastic lawn as
| could be found in any garden.
This was the place selected by DIR.
Braunfeld for the enactment Of this
tragedy of revenge. 1t would not be the
| first time the quiet little forest meadow
saw a similar bloody scene. In fact, it
had been for generations the favOrite
| spot for the settlement of affairs of
honor and had gained quite a reputation
as such. 1t was said that the grass was
| growing so extraordinarily luxurious
there, because every inch Of the soil had
been MANFRED with human blood.
When Ralph, with his second and the
/ third gentleman, who was to act as ply
sician-"f necessary" DIR. Braunfeld
had told him; he knew too well it would
be ecessary-arrived there was as yet
no trace OF the hostile party. DIR.
| Braunfeld looked at his watch-it was
only twenty minutes to seven, and seven
o'clock was the stipulated hour. So they
had to wait patiently. They proceeded
to the further end of the opening, where
they stood leaning against trees; the
ground was too moist to sit down.
There was little conversation. Ralph
was nerYously impatient He considered
his own death as fOregone conclusion,
and was resigned to it with morbid in
| difference The only thought that filled
his soul was Of revenge. He was fully
resolved to kill his adversary by the first
shot, If possible, and felt Vexed at the
dense mist, for fear that he might miss
the mark.
DR.. Braunfeld also thought of the
mist But he was glad of it, In the hope
that it might possibly prevent fatal re-
/ suits. The whole affair was not to his
| taste at all. 1t was too desperately seri-
GUS. Dueling was all well enough, the
Doctor thought, but people should be
content with exchanging a few shots.
| and perhaps a light scratch that would
heal IN a week or two. But this affair
came pretty near being downright muir.
| derl
DIR. Aiding, the official physician, was
| naturally the most Indifferent of the trio.
He also thought of the mist, and was an.
| nOyed at it because he feared the moist
ure might spoil his surgical instruments.
All was quiet about them. The mist,
which prevented the eyes from being OF
I much avail, helped the ears to extraOr.
| binary acuteness. They could hear the
neighing and stamping of the horses on
| the road three hundred PAGES away, and
! divided from the opening by a dense
wood. After a while they heard the
rolling of wheels and the clatter OF hoofs.
Tho sound came nearer and nearer, and
in the immediate vicinity ceased. Evil
IDENTIFY the other party. From their po-
sitiOn they could not see the other end
of the opening, and DIR. Braunfeld &C
cOrdinglY went forward to meet them.
ave are just in time, I suppose, Doctor, n
Lieutenant Greibern said TO the physi-
clan ~But shall we be able to proceed?
The mist is so awfully thick"
perhaps we had better wait awhile
until the sun has dispersed it a little, &" DR..
Braunfeld replied.
This was agreed TO, and both parties
waited nearly another half hour The
! sun, as it rose higher, gradually pene-
trated through the dense veil of mOis-
ture and lighted it sufficiently for the
| parties TO see each other, in dim outline,
| across their respective places.
DR.. Braunfeld again stepped forward
and spoke TO Greibern:
Don't you think it is light enough
/ now? If we wait much longer we incur
/ the risk of being disturbed.
| This reason seemed a good one to the
| soldier, and the two seconds proceeded
TO measure of the stipulated distance OF
| ten PAGES. 1t was agreed that the com.
| - aN,a
selves on thin tree. Then Won Grei-
! bern cried out:
Take your positions, gentlemen. il
| you please"
Ralph and the Count advanced to the
| positions assigned to them respectively
! The seconds then loaded the pistols,
and lots were cast to decide who should
| give the word of command. The de,
cision was for Greibern.
| Gentlemen" the Lieutenant said, sit
has been agreed that each combatant
shall raise his pistol at the word Ready.
| / shall then count: One-twO-three-
firer and at the word fire both parties
will discharge their weapons. There are
six shots in each pistol. If necessary,
reloading is permitted. Firing will be
continued until either cOmbatant falls. D
Correct" replied DR.. Braunfeld. sol.
emily.
Gentlemen" Baron Won Greibern con,
tinued. Il feel it my duty TO ask once
more whether peaceful and honorable
reconciliation cannot be arrived it?"
@Impossiblel" said Ralph.
"If that is the case, we will proceed, .
continued the Lieutenant. "PreparC
yourselves, getlemenl"
SAre You ready?"
Both combatants raised their weapon:
TO level with their eyes. Ralph took
deliberate aim at his adversary's heart
as well as the mist permitted. The
! Count held his pistol carelessly, as if in
different whether he should miss or not.
/ Attention. One-twO-three-fr =
The cracks of twelve shots were heard
in quick succession. But both combat
ants still stood upright The Counts
left hand clutched the young beech tree
beside him. but the fog prevented the
expression in his features OF violent pain
to become discernible to the others
Ralph insisted upon being given a new
weapon, but both seconds protested We
hemently.
Ralph Warringham, however, insisted
on adhering strictly to the stipulations.
The Count did not speak a word
The seconds reloaded the revolvers
and handed them back to the combat
ants
Ready"
HOne-tWo-threei5
The weapons were raised.
Before the word fire was heard, the
/ right arm of the Count was seen to fall
down. his left hand released its grasp OF
the tree; he staggered and fell.
Quickly his second and DIR. Aiding
were by his side They raised him int
a half-recumbent position and discov-
cred wound in his left breast, about
two inches above the heart The ply.
stefan hastily removed his garments and
specifically probed the wound.