The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-13
CHAPTER XVII.

THE DUEL.
It was before sunrise on the following
morning, when q hack was seen
driving up the broad wagon road which
in q 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
conveyances 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
fcotpath that led from the road into the
forest.
The path led to small opening, cov-
cred with short growth Of grass that
made as velvety 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 similar bloody scene. In fact, It
had been for generations the favorite
spot for the settlement of affairs OF
honor, ard had gained quite reputation
as such. 1t was said that the grass was
growing so extraordinarily luxurious
there, becanse every inch Of the soil had
been manured with human blood.
When Ralph, with his second and the
third gentleman, who was to act as ply
sician-."if necessary" DR.. Braunfeld
had told him; he knew too well 1t would
be necessary-arrived there was as yet
no trace of the hostile party. DR..
BraunfeId 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 nervously impatient. He considered
his own death as foregone conclusion,
and was resigned to it with a 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. Dueing was all well enough, the
Doctor thought, but people should be
content with exchanging few shots,
and perhaps light scratch that would
heal in a week or TWO. But this affair
came pretty near being downright muir.
der!
DR.. 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 tho moist
ure might spoil his surgical instruments.
All was quiet about them. The mist.
which prevented the eyes from being OF
much avail, helped tho ears to extraor'
binary acuteness. They could hear tha
reighing and stamping of the horses on
th; Road three hundred PAGES away, and
divided from the opening by a dense
wood. After C while they heard the
rolling of wheels and the clatter Of hoofs.
The sound came nearer and nearer, and
in the immediate vicinity ceased. Evil
IDENTIFY the other party. From their po.
sition they could not sec the other end
Of the opening, and DR.. Braunfcld &C
sordingly went forward to meet them
1--WE are just in time, Isupposc, Doctor"
Lieutenant Greiberu said to The physi-
clan. @But shall we be able to proceed7
The mist is so awfully thick"
d. uh ho6 hQffnr 2whfIa
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 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
batants, il they chose, support them
selves on a thin tree. Then Won Grei-
bern cried out:
Take your positions, gentlemen II
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 co nmand. The de-
riSion was for Greibern
SGcntlcmen," tho Lieutenant said. ut
has been agreed that each combatant
shall raise his pistol at the word Ready
shall then count: 'One-two-three-
fire. and at the word fire both parties
will discharge their weapon,. There are
six shots in each pisto!. # necessary,
reloading is permitted. Firing will be
continued until either comb~tant falls /"
Correct" replied DR.. Blaunfeld, SOL
emnly.
@Gentlemen," Baron Won Greibern con-
tinued. 81 feel it my duty to ask once
more whether peaceful and honorable
reconciliation cannot be arrived it?"
@Impossible!" said Ralph.
sIf that is the case, we will proceed" !"
continued the Lieutenant "Prepare
yourselves, getlemen!"
sAre you ready?"
D-.l sojeol tboir D0pQ