Arizona silver belt., 1894-01-20
l ernlainea the oircnmstances.

ness Wnen lt bAsiltu uppu lut Wldt would be the result. A duel with M. To Baron meant almost certain death. A refusal to accept challenge would ostracize me from society, and more than all else would lose me forever the love of the one being above all others whose affection l most wished to obtain. l knew the young lady and her father too well to suppose that they would look upon me again if 1 in any way showed the white feather. Tho matter was taking on decidedly unpleasant aspect. looked at Wilson. He was busy stabbing fly which was crawling along the floor minus a wing.
 Do you think he will challenge meY' Inquired neryously.
 Challenge your he repeated con, temptuously Challenge youl Why, it is proyerbial that Le Baron would rather fight a duel than eat. Challenge youl Why, of course he will, and l came here this morning expressly to of fer myself as your second. Of course your position as principal in this busi- ness is more glorious, but then it is more dangerous. Shall meet the messenger when he comes and make the necessary arrangementsY
 Certainly" said l, "and thank you, but trust the matter is not so serious as you make 1t appear"
 ''Oh, it will come out all right if you will follow my directions implicitly, but you may be very sure the challenge will be sent this morning. Remember you are to leave the whole thing to me-
 We were still talking over the affair when card was brought me, upon which read the name of Adolphe Bosch. CT, captain Thirty-third cuirassiers.
 "He is Le Baron's second" declared Wilson as l read the name. Let him come up.'
 The captain on presenting himself ex pressed much regret at being called up- on to perform "an unpleasant duty, but was interrupted by Wilson, who ex- plaiued to him that his visit was not un. expected, and that be himself had been requested to act for me. Ho suggested that they immediately depart to make the customary arrangements, to which Captain Boscher assented with more apologies.
 Left to myself. began pacing up and down the room, anxiously royiewi.g .ne situation. To refuse to fight this man was out of the question. Life, l felt sure. would not be worih liyiug without the woman loved and 1T declined the challenge l should never be allowed to 1 look upon hey face again. On the other hand to meet Le Baron was. in ali prob. ability, to meet ny death. A cold shud 1 der crept over ne al the thought That was the only thing 10 do, however meet the fellow and le. him kill me. ] should then at least nave the salisfac- ton of knowing that my beloved one 1 would honor my memory.
 The hours passed as only the hours can pass to man who believes that he has but short time to live. About noon l received a note from Colonel Russell, the father of my dear girl, in which in his brusque way he informed me of his knowledge of what had occurred and expressed the hope that ] would meet the scoundrel and kill him. If did, he would like to see me afterward.
 In the afternoon Wilson returned with the announcement that all the arrange ments had been made.
 It is to occur tonight, he said
 Tonight" repeated Why such haste:"
 "Oh, to get it of your mind And we have selected swords.
 'Swordsr echoed. "I know no more about handling q sword than e childl You must have known that Le Baron is credited with being the most expert swordsngn on tho continent. should think you might at least have chosen pis. tols. That would have given him adyan. tage enough, heaven knows. but swords --I don't know tho first rudiments of swordsmanship t Is murder. cold blooded murder, and you are an acees. soryF
 l "Poohl ii is all right if you don't so entirely lose your head as to be unable to follow my instructions.
 Where Is this assassination to take place" inquired, paying no heed 10 his remark.
 ''ln the cellar of deserted building just outside the city, and we must get ready al once, for it is booked for lO o'clock, and we have some distance to ride You make your preparations, while | Irun over 10 my lodgings and get some articles which We shall need"
 He left me, and ] attempted to get ready. First I sat down and wrote. or attempted to write, several letters In my nervous excitement could only dash off incoherent and broken sentences, which told nothing save my oyerwrought emotions. did not realize this at the time, did not realize anything but that l l was to be killed without even a chance to defend myself for sword in my hand was as useless against my opponent us a cannon would have been
 On Wilson's return we immediately proceeded to the carriage which he had in waiting and entered upon our jour hey I felt as if riding to my own flu. neral On the way Wilson commenced, "The duel is to be ip the dark without any light whatever'---
 Interrupted him angrily: "In heavens name Wilson, what is your purposei Why, will not goi l will not
 "Oh. stopr' he put in. "Show little manhood. Pull yourself up and heal mo through. The duel, as I was saying is to be conducted in dark room. They l objected to this when first proposed it but on my naming swords as the weap. ons they consented. You and Le Baron are to be locked up in room without any light and remain there until one ol the other is killed or disabled or begs for quarter. And now for my directions to you: Just before you go in will hand you glass of wine which you must drink and, without stopping an instant enter the room selected for the combat n.,,A lo1nr. ,,,1. .,,l,,,..,A n rAn.. l.s.. is...