The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-11
The Friendly Foe
"a wierd story by Miss Coleridge. From
Cornhill's. In Six Parts.)
PART I


with great dignity, did 1 suppose So"
l thanked him.
He pressed my hand.
There followed one of those awkward
pauses which are apt to follow on a SD
preme moment. He had just informed
me that he did not for an instant suppose
that preferred any consideration before
honor. The wind was driving the rain
against my window as if it were a human
thing that must be chased from the wide
world without. The flames were leaping
up the chimney, as if they owned some
kinship with the wind and were rushing
TO meet him. L wanted to be alone, to
! enjoy the uproar in peace. How to get
| rid Of the Count 1 did not know. Why
| the Count insisted on staying 1 did not
| know. AS he was going to shoot me, or
l was going to shoot him, at eight o'clock
| the next morning, it seemed TO me that
| this was waste OF time; but you cannot
make remark of that kind to a guest,
and he happened to be in my room.
Let me ask you one thing" said the
Count. You are a generous enemy.
Though not in your first youth, you are
| younger than L am, and you have not
! been out before. 1 would not take you
at disadvantage. Do you believe in the
souls future?"
lightly. I'm a few hours one of US will
have answered it for good and ALL"
He frowned.
You do not believe in Ii. I am reduced
to most unpleasant extremity. Unless
you can reassure me upon this point. it
is impossible for me to fight you. Unless
1 fight you, 1 am dishonored.'
why should it be impossible?" I ask
ed. But that the Count was by birth and
breeding a perfect gentleman, 1 might
have suspected his courage.
1T gives me an unfair advantage" he
said, gazing steadily at me out of his
deep-set eyes. You fight, believing death
is death. l fight, believing death is birth
1 know something of your chivalrous ma
ture. If kill you, 1, in my own opinion,
set free soul. If you kill me, you, in
your opinion, commit murder. I would
not have you tortured in after-life by this
reflection. Once more L tell you, it is i'm
possible for me to fight, unless you give
me some assurance. Once more l ask you,
do you believe in eternal Hfe?"
Il am fully sensible of your kind con-
sideration for my feelings; but permit me
to observe that 1 do not see what right
you have to ask that question:
You decline to answer it?'
81 do
cline to fight
"Stayi" l cried. What are you going
to do?"
He laid his hand upon a pistol.
NO" 1 said, "Why?'
You leave me no other choice"
1t was absurd of me to object to his
shooting himself, when I had no objection
whatever to shooting him with my own
hand, if 1 could. But it was just this one
phrase, If 1 could that made a difference.
The alternative was too cold-blooded; 1
felt bound to prevent it,
Gould it not be arranged" I spoke
nervously only to gain time, in the con-
fusion of the moment.
You are not the man took ys1 for"
he said.
This time he did not bow as he turned
towards the door.
You do not seem to be aware" 1 re-
marked, that you are exposing me to
sense of blood-guiltiness far more oner-
GUS than that which you deprecate If I
am to be murderer. at least allow me
TO feel that l did the deed myself, not
that I compelled some one else to do 1t.
Do you think that you are treating me
fairly? You put premium upon lies You
leave no other course open to me. BY all
that is held most sacred. 1 swear to you
that 1 believe in eternal life"
And rising, 1 laid my hand upon my
heart.
Sir" said the Count, sternIy, would |
you die with a falsehood on your lip? You |
do not believe it,
NO" I said, II do not I merely wish |
ed to show you to what extremes you |
are driving me. But you are right. Be |
tween gentlemen this sort of thing IS a |
even in jest. You do not leave |
this room till you have promised TO fight |
me tomorrow" and I threw myself across |
the door. 1 was the younger and the |
stronger man.
With perfect gravity the Count sat down
in an armchair. The wind was bowling
more loudly than before; the flames had
sunk lower.
1 became conscious of the absurdity of
the situation. Nothing short of flood, fire,
Or earthquake could put an end to it in
a fitting manner. There we were bound
to stay till we died of starvation unless
one or the other would compromise his
dignity. AS the little 1 knew of the Count
made me feel certain that nothing would
,ver induce him to compromise his, I |
mine.
Count" I said, this is a ridiculous no.
'ition for both of US. My pres@hce causes
'ou an intolerable gene, and yours, the
whole night through, would scarcely be
agreeable to me. Let US consider the
hing dispassionately! You will not fight
ne because I do not hold an opinion which
-ou, rightly or wrongly, hold TO be neces-
AIRY for my future happiness, If 1 live;
e., you do not object to kill me. because
-ou think no one can die, but you do OBJ
ect TO poison the remainder of nv mortal
existence. If you do not fight me, you
will shoot yourself. for you would be IN
BILE to survive your honor. That is the
ase on your side. Now for mineI / have
n instructive dislike of suicide. either for |
lyself or for any one else whom 1 respect |
| may be a mere prejudice but so it is !
f. therefore, you blow our your brains,
/ will seriously affect my peace Of mind.
as I shall consider myself TO |
certain extent responsible. But fair
ght is another thing altogether. II is | :
ow five o'clock. According to our agree I
lent, we meet at eight tomorrow morn l
lg. I shall need al least FIVE hours sleep |
efOrehand, or 1 shall not take steady .
i'm. Allowing fun time to dress break +,
asst, and get to the rendezvous. 1 ought | p.
OF 10 go 10 bed later than two. Between /
We o'clock this evening and two tomor-
ow morning there are nine hours. Now / (
hese nine hours 1 viii promise you. on Z
~ word Of honor as a gentleman, TO ID
pend on the investigation OF a question /
hat does not interest me in the least. q
nd on which, but for you. I should never. Z
! the whole course Of my life, have spent I
inc minutes-if you. on your part. will i
romise to meet me at eight tomorrow.
{. by that time, I can answer your Ques- =
on in the afirmative-and I know al =
aady IL is not by words alone that YOU :
i'll judge whether I speak the truth :