Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1892-08-12

the apples. l Will give $40 to Who
ever will do it,"
There was a cOmmotion around me,
but so thrilling had been the de-
scriptions of the danger attending
the feat and such the reports of the
diabolical temper of the swordsman
that no n responded. His glance
fastened on me. l suppose it would
be said nowadays that he hypnotizcd
me.
Why shouldn't 1 do it, I thought.
! was on the point of taking my own
life, and If Senior Espada should save
me the trouble, so much the better.
What matter to me If the sword
should go an eighth of an inch too
far!
"I'm your man, pard!" 1 cried
starting up.
"Ah, very good" he exclaimed with
a bow Of thanks and an insinuating
smile.
!: Il will call you up when 1 come
out"
The show began. 1t was a sort OF
country circus, dime museum and
Buffalo Bill performance ON y small
| scale.
/ waited the advent of the swords
manwith the utmost impertupbability.
AT last he appeared and summoned
me.
advanced and nonchalantly faced
the spectators. He glanced at ME
approvingly and a little curiously as
he told me to extend my right arm
and open my hand.
Ibid so. He set the apple upon it.
His sword was u beautiful weapon,
with jeweled hilt and a g~littering
blade inscribed with Arabic-charac.
tiers. He made a few rapid passes
with it. Twas as if forked lightning
played about me. Involuntarily !
shivered, but I persuaded myself that
the shudder was caused by the chilli
ness of the air, since I did not care
what the result Of the adventure
might be.
Then the lightning seemed to smite
me. MY arm fell to my side, a dark
ness came before my eyes, but, by the
applause, 1 knew the apple had been
cut in twain.
The senior beamed upon me.
"BravO"! he whispered.
"Now kneel."
I did so, and bent my head.
He put another apple on the nape
Of my neck.
My situation was terribly perilous,
for IL his hand should slip or tremble
in the least degree, or IL I should
shrink or stir l could hardly escape
decapitation.
AT that moment my insane despair
left me. / saw how precious life is.
I became possessed with a fierce de-
sire to live; to live even If abandoned
by all the world, If bereft of every.
thing but the blessed sunshine and
the sweet air of Heaven. A fearful
conviction forced itself upon me that
the swordsman's daring experiment
would prove my death. Only the
dread Of being branded a coward pre-
vented me from crying out, from
springing up and declaring he should
not proceed. The effort to remain
motionless was a frightful strain
upon my nerves. Never shall I for
get the ordeal.
A few seconds passed. They seemed
an eternity to mt. Then, I felt a
thin, cold line touch my neck-there
was a tumult of cheers.
The swordsman put his hand upon
my shoulder and babe me rise. did
so mechanically. I could hardly see,
but I was dimly conscious that a
crowd Of excited people were calling
and stamping and waving bandana
handkerchief. Half.dazed I followed
the senior behind the curtain. Ny
neck was wet. put up my hand ex-
pecting to lind blood. I was sure 1t
must be cut, SO plainly had 1 felt the
keen blade.
No, the moisture was but the
clammy sweat caused by the mental
anguish through which I had passed.
A cracked mirror in the dressing
room assured nae there was not even
a scratch. An attendant poured
something from a flask and handed it
to me in a small glass.
drank it down. 1t was q strange
liquor, but it revived the palsied
pulses of my heart The senior put a
go gold piece intomy hand. Ny I'M
pulse was to toss it back to him.. /
had not thought Of the paltry bride
when I agreed to help him, and I
would not 20 through the experience
again for q thousand such. On
second thought, however, I pocketed
the coin.
got back to the tavern. Having
reached my room, I fell on my knees,
as I had been won't to do in child.
hood and early youth. my God" /
crled,, chow wicked I have been to
think Of lightly casting away the
priceless boon of existence which
Thou dost grant me"
I prayed as I had not prayed in
years.
Then l flung myself upon tb. =