Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-26

| this light. that | could distinctly Hlahe
ont the blue flowers OF the patch Oh
HORACE. which lay between the hut and
the thorn hedge, beyond which de Com
eron was awaiting me. When l came
IN found him standing with his back
IN the moon. He had thrown OH MS
doublet. and was in his shirt sleeves,
which were rolled up to his elbows,
and Nicholas and the men stood little
on one side. utterly forgetful of the
prisoners, and eager as bloodhounds
To witness the coming fight. 1t took
but a half minute to make myself ready,
and borrowing a poniard from Nicho-
! las to help me to parry, for de Com
eron held one in his left hand, and
was determined to give him no further
advaptage-he already had the light
I took my position. Then there was an
angry little clash and our blades met,
looking for all the world like two thin
streaks of fire in the moonlight. l be-
gan the attack at once in the lower
lines. but soon found that my adversary
was a master of his weapon, and his de-
Tense was complete. We were both So
Der enough now, besides being IN dead
" earnest. and de Gomeron began to
change his tactics and attack in his turn.
He was more than cunning Of fence,
thrusting high at my throat to get as
much of the reflection of the moon as
possible on his blade, and so dazzle my
ewes: but this was a game | had played
before. and seeing this he disengaged,
and making a beautiful feint, thrust low
in tierce The party was just IN time,
but the point of his blade ripped me
exactly over the heart, and dyed my
shirt red with the blood of flesh
wound. The discipline of Nicholas and
his men went to shreds at the sight Of
this. and there was shout: "CroiX
Dieu! He is lost"
But mans knowledge is not to be
counted by his years, and Maitre Tou-
Chef had himself placed a foil in my
hand ere | was seven. The hair that
stood between me and death as de Com
eron's point touched me cooled me in
ice. and knowing that in a long-con-
tinued contest youth must tell, began
to feign retreat, and give back slowly,
meaning to wind my opponent, and
work him around to get a little of the
moon in his eyes. De Gomeron took
the bait and pressed the attack, with
the result that he shifted his position
of vantage. and in a while began to
breathe heavily. AT this point cloud
obscured the moonlight, and my oppo-
nent. springing back. called out: Hold.
hold till the cloud passes We cannot
see"
But | can. Messieurs," answered a
deep voice to our right. What means
this fools work." and tall figure, the
white line of drawn sword shining
in its hand. stepped between us, COM
ing. as it were from nowhere. The
cloud passed, and the moon was again
brilliant and clear. The light fell on
the commanding form before us, show
ing the high aquiine features and grlz-
zled hair of de Rome himself. Nicho-
las and his men melted into thin air at
the sight. and de Gomeron and STOOD
speechless. The wind caught the black
plumes in the generals hat, waving
them silently in the air, and brought
10 us the faint clink of chainblt-de
Rome had evidently stolen upon us on
foot leaving his horse at distance.
80 this is how my outposts are
kept?" he said. m. de Gomeron, you
are the senior officer here, and l await
YOUR explanation. Mordieu! 1t IS
something that l do this
command the guards of the d Au-
male" began de Gomeron su!lenly, but
de Rome interrupted him in the same
deep measured voice.
81 know that. Your explanation, or
and in fierce anger, "by God! you VIII
hang like a common thief by sun
rise"
"A gentleman must defend his hon.
or. Orders or no orders. General, there
Gre times when one must fight. There
was a matter in connection with some
prisoners. and was struck by NJ. Au-
risc. I have nothing further to say
"Now NJ. d'Auriac, what have you
to say?"
"The prisoners will, perhaps, explain
70 Your Excallency why l struck this
man"
Take me to them
We gathered up our belongings, and
hastily dressing, led the way back 10
tho bnt What de Gomeron's thoughts
were I knew not, but my own rehec-
lions we're none of the most cheerful
We ali knew de Rome, and knew that'
his mind once made up, nothing could
turn him. De Gomeron had some
chance of escape, as of a certainty
was the open aggressor; but for myself
saw Door de Conner lying under the
elm trees. taking his last look at the
sunlight. and my heart became like