Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-06-14

%W.ll, I'll go and see this Doctor-ah
-ah--what's his name? I'll bring the
pistols on my way back.
with a tuck at his fiercely martial
muStache he strodc away in that pecu-
iiarlv stiff but vigorous manner charac-
teristic of the Prusslan soldlery'
Count Hohenfels stood at the wlndow
and looked with melancholy ar uo"l
into the garden, with its multltude "a
rrests who were seated around taoles,
chatting smoking, drinking lie va
frivolous enough, TO be sure, Dut
he wa, not al obdurat) roue. The
ser,ous turn which his lovo intrigue
had taken had aroused his conscience
and he had begun to think that alter
ali his cours, had been little honor
ab'e His heart had from the beginning
had little to do with the matter, but MS
vanity had been flattered by the love OF
so handsome W man, and gradua'y
her beauty had overpowered his senses
Now he would have given much II lie
had never seen her. The husband was
furious, and would no doubt fight to XII.
How could HChenfels b. cowardl
But life was, after all, tco enjoyable an
affair to be rsked in such foo ISL man
ner.
The was no help for it, however. All
he could co was to risk it and trust TO
luck.
He at down and wrote S2vera letters,
one to his parents, few more to some
Of his most intimate friends 1T was
most diSagreeab task, but he finished It,
Then he thought over his fnanc- al
affairs. That was far easier matter.
There was not much to think about, for
he had little besides his salary
He put few Gi cctions on a paper
which he folded into an enNc Ope. Thol
he wrote the ers:ripton on 1t: 10
be opened after my death, and put IL
into his breast O,ket
So he had put his house in order and
sat down to wait fer the return OF h S
friend.
Raron Won Greibcrn found DR.. Braun
field awaiting him.
"Itis my first duty" he said, after
courteous greeting, "to inquire whether
an amicable settlement of this disagree
able matter is not possible. and am
authorized tO offer every rcparation con-
sfstent with the honor of my friend.
81 am very sorry to state" was the
Doctors rep'y, "that l cannot see the
possibility of settlement. The Offensc
in this case was so gricvous that nothing
but bloody conflict can satisfy us.
every well. AS the challenged party
we have tic right to choose the weapons,
but will waive that right. | would be
pleased to hcar proposition from you. "
awe would prof. ose pistols.
"Agreed."
"Ten PAGES"
accepted
"Both principals to fire simultaneously
at the word IF e. and 10 continue firing
until one party drops Each revo'ver to
contain six shots If necessary, reload
ing permitted
This was far more serious than he nae
expected ,,
remarked.
The Doctor shrugged his shoulders
"My friend ins SITS that it shall be mat
| ter of life and DEATH" he said.
"If YOU ins st upon such course We
will have to agree. But, Doctor, | be
,cech you to consider the matter. Sucl
b duel will have necessarily a most un
fortunate result"
"That is bat too true. have tried t.
reason with my friend, but wlthou
avail He is determined
agreed, then," the Lieutenant said
Rloomily. "But | herewith disclaim al
responsibility You have forced us int
this
The Doctor bowed in token Of assent
"Will any further witnesses be rcces
;ary on the spot?" he asked.
"Not that | can think of, was Grci
BERN reply "Will you act as physician
IOurSclf?"
al may have other duties, the Deco
answered. 81 would propose DR.. Alb
ng."
al do not know the gcnJcman, but !
gou recommend him, it is agreed. Hav
you any prcferen @ as to time AM
place?"
ave would like to make an end o
his thing as soon as possible. Woul'
the day after tomorrow, at seven o clocl
N the morning, be convenient"
"Perfecty convenient, an the place?
con the opening in the forest south
the caste hi l. About three hundre
baces from the carriage road
81 am not acquainted with the spot
Is it secure from intruS'On?
"At that hour entirely so"
"Very we'll"
Thus all necessary preiminarieS OF tn
duel were arranged. The two gentle
men arose and the officer took his leave
On the way home he bought an excel
le It pair of pistols of the most approx
ed pattern.
But Count Won Hohenfcls Ceclined t
practice with them, no withStanding til
fieutenant's anger at what he called hi
friends stubbOrnness.
CHAPTER XVI,