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

"A very disagreeable affair, indeed,
Greibern assented. I'm afraid IL may
Interfere with your career"
II should not be surprised. For one
thing, cannot go back TO America
Il should think that would not be
much of a misfortune. 1t must be
half-exile."
well, don't knowl" The diplomatlst
shook his head dubiously. Il had a
great deal OF fun with those Yankees"
Especially with those of the female
persuasion. Eli, old man?7
But the Count did not relish his
friends POPULARITY. He answered not
even with smile
@Ah, those Yankees are q set of par
venues" the Lieutenant continued;
democrats, you know-trades people.
and all that"
There was a world of contempt in the
tone Of Greibern's words, uttered with
shrug of the shoulders that clearly signi-
fed: "HOw can a man speak Of having
fun with such canaille."
The Count paid no attention to his
friends manifestation Of aristocratic
tdisdain.
a can count upon you, of course, to
meet Warringham's friend and arrange
everything that is necessary" he said.
. ~Of course, dear boyl Waiter, give
us another bottle of Ruedesheimer.
"Of course" HOhenfels went on, 81
have no particular desire to harm the
Doctor. Therefore, If there should be
any chance of reconciliation, you
know"
Certainly. certainly He will not
fght!"
will fight. There is good deal of met
tie In those Yankees. Besides, he is in
furious rage
~Well, he has some cause to be furious,
has he nOt?" rejOined the Lieutenant,
with a smile
Hohenfels returned the smile, but
with half heart
well, some" he admitted. ats
bad affair all around. 1 did not even get
much fun out of this liaisOn."
A waiter entered, bearing a card,
which he handed to the Count. The lat
ter read the name.
~Tell the gentleman, said he, 81 snail
be glad to see him." Addressing the
Lieutenant: at is DIR. Braunfeld. He
comes from Warringham, 1 presume"
DIR. Braunfeld entered presently. He
steemed little annoyed when he didn't
find Hohenfels alone. The two gentle
men rose and bowed politely.
~ beg your pardon, If l intrude at an
incOnvenient time, the Doctor said Il
am the bearer of very important mes
sage to the Count"
~Whatever it IS, speak out, If you
please, Doctor. / have no secrets before
my friend. The gentlemen are not &C
quainted? Baron Won Greibern - DIR.
Braunfeld."
The gentlemen so introduced bowed
formally and stiffiy-
Il am the representative of my friend,
DIR. Warringham, the Doctor began,
without noticing the motion with which
the Count prOffere0 him a seat Il hope
that you will give him the satisfaction
TO which he is entitled"
81 shall be glad to render DIR. Warning
ham all satisfaction consistent with the
honor of myself and the lady who is
unfortunately involved in this affair."
"VerY well, then" DIR. Braunfeld re-
piled. ~Will you have the kindness to
designate friend with whom 1 may
make further arrangements"
Certainly! My friend here will meet
you at any time or place which you pre-
fer"
~Very we'll, then. Would my cham
bers be convenient? I shall be ut home
from now until night"
"Very well; let it be So"
81 have the honor to bid the gentle
men good-day."
The Doctor withdrew. When he was
gone Hohenfels said:
well, Greibern, think You had bet
ter see him at once. 1 am anxious to
have this thing off my mind"
~You are very impatient" Greibern
said, with a smile. "Are you so blood
thirsty?"
"Not in the least 1t is a very bad
business all around 1 wish 1 could get
out of IL in some honorable manner
81 see no way out of it," the Lieuten-
ant replied, seriously. even an apol-
ogy would hardly be accepted. Besides,
don't see what you could possibly apOl-
ogize for"
swell, we will have to fight it out then.
But, bear you in mind, it will not end
we'll" The Count passed his hand over
his brow. ~Oh, what fools men do make
of themselves.
Greibern did not like his friends mood.
Instead of philosOphizing, he said,
"you had better give some thought to
the matter in hand Have you any pis-
tolls here?"
The Count had none with him.
THAT is bad We will have to buy
new ones, and new pistols are a bore
will get some at once, and you had bet
ter go to work and practice with them,
so as to become used to them
Hohenfels shook his head. "Never
mind that" he said; Il don't mean to
shoot him.5
Greibern was Disguised. ~You are as
sentimental as a grill" he said what
IN the world does a man go into a duel
for If he intends to miss?"
The Count did not discuss the ques-
ton, but evidently had his own opinion
about IL.
The Lieutenant rose, put on his sword,
being careful that the belt encircled his
waist with mathematical accuracy,
brushed few specks Of dust from his
uniform, cast critical glance into the
mirror, and, putting on his kid gloves,
said:
-Well, I'll go and see this Doctor-ah
-ah-what's his name? I'll bring the
pistols on my way back
With a tuck at his fiercely martial
mustaehe he strobe away In that pecu-
liarly stiff but vigorous manner charac-
teristic OF the Prussian sOldiery.
Count Hohenfels stood at the window
and looked with melancholy air down
into the garden, with its multitude Of
chatting, smoking, drinking. He was
frivolous enough. TO be sure, but
he was not an obdurate roue. The
serious turn which his love intrigue
had taken had aroused his conscience,
and he had begun to think that after
all his course had been little honor
able. His heart had from the beginning
had little to do with the matter. but his
vanity had been iattered by the love OF
so handsome woman, and gradually
her beauty had overpOwered his senses
Now he would have given much If he
had never seen her. The husband was
furious, and would no doubt fight to kill.
How could a HOhenfels be a cowardl
But life was, after all, too enjoyable an
affair to be risked in such foolish man
ner.
There was no help for it, however. All
he could do was to risk IL and trust to