Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-06-14
CHAP TER XVII.
THE DUEL,


1t was before sunri:e on the following
morn ng, when hack was seen
driving up the broad wagon road which
in a wide circ'c gently leads up to Wart
burg castle
The air was filled with thick mist,
which did not permit the eye to pcne
trate more than ten feet. The driver
could harlly see the ears of his own
horses.
The coach went u the gently ascend
ing road with all the speed such public
conveyance; are ca9abe of developing.
On the southern SLOPE of the castle hill
it stopped
Three gentlemen emerged from the
carriage and disappeared on the narrow
footpath that led from the road into the
forest.
The path led to a small opening, COW
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 Ir.
Bra1nfeld for the enactment of tn
tragedy OF revenge. 1t would not be the
first time the quiet little forest meadow
saw q simi ar bloody scene. In TACT, II
had been for generations the favorlte
spot for the settlement of affairs OF
honor, and had gained quite reputation
as such. 1t was said that the grass was
growing so extraordinarily luxurious
there, because every inch of the soil had
been manurcd with human blcod.
When Ralph, with his second and the
third gentleman, who was to act as ply.
sician-"if necessary" DR.. Brauntcld
had told him; he knew too we'll it would
be nccessary-arrived there was as yet
no trace of the hostile party. Dr.
Braun eld looked at his watch-it was
only twenty minutes to seven, and seven
o'clock was the stpulate1 hour. So they
had to wait patiently Tkcy proceeded
to the further end of the opening, where
they stood leaning against trees; the
ground was too moist to sit down.
There was lit G conversation. Ralph
was neryously impatient. lie considered
his own death as foregone conclusion,
and was resigned to it with morbid in
difference. The only thought that filled
his soul was of revenge. lie was fully
resolved to kill his adversary by the first
shot, / possible, and 10 vcxcd at the
dense mist, for fear that he might miss
the marx.
DR.. BraunGcld also thought of the
mist But he was glad of it, in the hope
that IL might possibly prevent fatal r.
suits. Tho whoe affair was not to his
taste at al 1t was too desperately scri
ous. Due ing was all well enough, the
Doctor thought, but people should be
cont mt with exchanging a few sho' S,
and perhaps light scratch that wonlJ
heal in a week or two. But this atfa'I
cane pretty near being downright mur.
der!
DIR. Aiding, the Official physician, was
naturally the most Indifferent of the trio.
He also thought Of the mist, and was an
moved at it because he feared the moist.
urc might spoil his surgical instruments.
All was quiet about them. The mist.
which prevented the eyes from being of
much avail, helped the ears to extraor'
d nary acutencss They could hear the
neighing and stamping of the horses on
the roaI three hundred PAGES away, and
divided from the opening by a Cense
wood. After a while they heard the
| rolling of wheels and the clatter OF hoofs.
The sound came nearer and nearer, and
n ths immediate vicinity ceased Evi'
| lent'y the other party. From their pc.
Il ion thy could not see the other end
If the opcnin-, and Dr Brannfeld ac
| ,ortingIy went forwa' d to meet tn m
"N ara just in time, Isupposc, Doctor.
| Lieutenant Grcibern said to tie phySi-