Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-06-08
On Saturday night the big exhibit.

ton room in the Fencing and Spar.
ring Club was lined round with inter.
ested and interesting spectators men
of Drawn and women of beauty. Foils
flashed gloved hands punched; strong
back bent in wrestling.
Paul came purposely late with the
Professor They had barely time, in
deed, to get into their clothes when
the ring was ready for them. 1t was
seldom Paul showed his skill, and
hence the promised set'to was es.
teemed as the piece de resistance OF
the evening. The Professor, it is only
fair to say, was not apprised OF this
on the contrary, he stopped aghast at
sight of the expectant congregation,
and would gladly have beaten a re.
treat, but n grip of iron was on his
shoulder and, ere he knew it, he was
standing in full sight of guard.
Then n buzz of admiration and sur.
prise went round the room.
"Why, it's Professor Coll !"
He heard, and fierce hate blazed
out of his eyes, and Paul felt that it
would be a fight indeed. Gertrude
was there he had sought and found
her with his first swift glance.
From the beginning the Professor,
! smiling wickedly, pushed the bout as
best he could, growing conscious,
however, with each spent blow that
all his tricks were known and that
Paul was trihing with him. Pausing
for breath, he swept the room with an
open, angry stare, and presently il
rested upon Gertrude.
He had no thought of retreat there.
after. He remembered with a rush oil
blood to his pallid face, how conde-
scendingly he had spoken to her OF
Paul. With higher guard, then, he
awaited the onset, sparring lightly for
wind; Paul patiently gratifed him.
Pressed slowly backward, the PROBES.
sor was regaining confidence when
suddenly Paul made one of his famous
feints. He took no further advantage
of it than to pause and laugh with the
spectators at the wild fury of the Pro.
fessor's arms; but the next instant he
saw that his time had come; that the
white.lipped man in front of him was
no longer to be toyed with but strick-
EN- down.
The laugh drove the Professor to an
act of folly. He tried to echo it; and
then, as it ended in hoarse, painting
cry, lunged forward with shift OF
feet. But his man was not there. AS
the Professors body swung to the
right his head bent forward. Paul
coolly turned the blow and drove his
left home with staggering effect. Back
came the Professor with the glare of
an Infatuated Wild beast ; the smile on
Pauls face half-crazed him, and rush
ing forward he tented weakly with
both hands and then swung around on
the pivot.
Ii was desperate move, and ended
in complete disaster. Gertrude hid
her face in her hands as she saw Paul's
long, strong arm spring full in the
face of his antagonist. There was a
heavy fall, storm of cries, in which
sit served him right" predomlnated,
and when she looked up again Paul
was tenderly sponging the Professors
face.
ooh, it was horrid of him." she
said to Mrs. Hardness. Nevertheless.
she was proud of her lover.
Not word passed between the two
men until they stood dressed and face
to face at the top of the fight of steps.
Round about the Professors eye was a
blotch of red; the rest of his face was
very white.
81 must thank you," said Paul,
"for the points you have given me. "
The Professor started.
But don't you think Marc Antony
made mistake in selecting your"
The Professor smiled feebly.
Because" added Paul, CLEOPATRA
does"
Then the Professor went down the
steps. New York Vanity.