The National tribune., 1891-01-08

tance, seemed incredible. Delicate IN frame
aud inexpert in the use of weapons, by
nature too deliberate to be overwhelmed by
sudden impulse, these disadvantages were
never absent from his mind but the con-
tempt of the world could not be endured
and thus a greater dread made him face one
but little less, and love of life would lead
him 10 struggle for it with tenacity which
only death could conquer. How often are
the acts Of man the product of antagonistic
qualities.
Meanwhile Diaz remained in his seat
holding the handkerchief in his hand, his
eyes never leaving Christine and LOzlna
When he saw their separation and the ap-
proach of the former, the expression Of sui
lanHess in his face changed TO one Of savage
eXultatiOD. The moment he had awaited
was coming.
He held life "a Of little value, and neither
scTuple nor fear tormented him. Possessing
the animal courage which generally accom-
panies remarkable physical strength, and n
contempt OF danger which familiarity with
IT as a soldier had given him, he could have
met a more formidable opponent with
equanimity, and when he remembered what
n hunging lencer and what poor shot
LOzana was and looked at his irail form, he
could certainly find no reason TO dread him.
His dulled conscience did not trouble him
with questions nor call ugly names hat such
would have had little effect on q man in
fluenccd hy such Jealous rage "a he felt
"CabllleTo," said LOZana, DOna Chris
tine will thank you very much II you will
allow me 90 take her handkerchief TO her"
Diaz gave LOzana look Of the utmost
contempt, and said in a tone 30 low that OIly
the latter COuld hear him:
"Senor Lozana, if your courage equals
yOur politencss, you will know how to get
this handkerchief"
I" / do not seek quarrel, but if you are
determined to- force one ON me you will not
find il difficult. | am sure, however that if
You will reflect moment, you will see how
much better it will be to choose some other
cause, some fictitious one, that will not in
convenience lady ut such a time and place
as this, nor involve her in a scandal. So let
me beg you TO give me the handkerchief, and
then / viii be at your service at any time
hereafter and In any manner that you may
name"
The Captain did not move, but, with a
mOcking smile and tone Of affected sweet
ness, repeated:
" If your courage equals your politeness,
you will know how to get this handker-
chief"
/ see that you will not listen to reason.
Very well. II may be better for our friends
to discuss what is 10 be done next Remain
here a moment; one of mine will meet yOu,
and shall instruct him to throw no obstacle
IN the way of a speedy settlement Of this
question
About a half hour afterward Lozana,
standing under the dense foliage Of q tree in
the patio OF the building Of which the ball
room formed Il part, was awaiting the coming
OF his friend Morales, whom he had sent to
confer with Diaz. Before leaving the ball
room he had found Christine, who was con-
yersing gayly with another gentleman, and
had begged her to excuse him for a short
time, and assured her that he would not for
get the mission she had given him.
/ have been told by a naval officer that he
has had most every experience that war can
give, and that he has found nothing SO hard
10 endure as the moments which precede u
battle-after the ships have been prepared
for action, and everyone is waiting for the
signal TO begin. To a man OF nervous tenn
perament, like Lozana, these moments of
Inaction were horrible And he was about
TO engage in a hopeless contest he did not
love the woman tor whom he was 10 risk
lllo iA4tr anu nc billrtty ItlltGtEd Ludb NHt
woman he did lOye-his aiiianced bride
would almost certainly think him uniaith-
ful, whether he should be victor or van
quished.
There was no escape for him. If he failed
to play the part demanded by the code OF
honor, would she not despise him as a cow
ard? Yes; women Eever love towards. He
was poor, helpless victim of circumstances
which could not have been fOreseeu; and
how futile are prudence and foresight, when
Fate brings forward her inyinciblc circum-
stances.
Long were the minutes. His vivid imagi-
nation tortured him with visions of the
future, and superstition, from which few of
Us are free, gathered from the mysteries Of
night Omens which might have vexed the
courage of Drawer men. At last he heard
footsteps, and man approached mutiled in
that cape which Spaniards wear so grace
fully. 1t was Morales. He pressed LOzanas
hand Il moment.
Its all arranged my friend; he said, you
are to meet in old GalIegO's wine-cellar.
There's no chance Of being interrupted, and
a lantern or two will give all the light need
ed. You are to fight with rapiers. Topaz
seconds DiaZ. The time midnight; that is
! as soon as we could make il. You know
you told me not to delay, if / found the
affair could not be settled otherwise Topaz
and agreed that a reconciliation should bl
made, if possible, and Diaz said that if he
could have an assurance from Christine that
she did not love you, and that there had
been no intention 10 insult him, he would
accept any honorable mode of compromise
that we would suggest. Then Topaz and /
saw the Swede, and / never would have be-
| lieyed that woman could be so heartless.
| A word from her would have ended the
affair but she would not speak it, and,
curses on her vanity, believe she'll be de-
/ lighted with the nOtoriety she'll gain. We
must start now. We have 10 minutes-iust
/ enough time to reach GallegO's"
The wine merchants shop was q narrow
/ building Of two stories, situated in one of
I the poorest streets of BOgOta. When the
/ two friends reached it they could hear no
sounds but their own footsteps, and so dark
was the night that one could barely discern
| the form of man ut 10 PAGES distance
| there was no light in the shop.
As they neared it Morales explained that
| GalIegO, who was assisting in the prepara-
| tiOns for the supper at the ball, had promised
to leave his duty TO subordinates, preeede
the arrival of the duelists, and be ready to
| admit them.
The old man was faithful to his promise
for, when Morales put out his hand to knock,
the door was opened, and with voice show
ing age by its thinness, Gallego said in low
tone:
Come in, gentlemen. Now halt a mo-