Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-08-03

and parry, and the on-lookers, standing
some little distance off, murmured ap
probation at each pretty display. Blu
soon the men warmed to their work
Thady under the influence of wild fury
the Frenchman through lust of tn,
game. The soft sod was beaten hare
by their trampling feet, and yet the is
sue seemed uncertain. Suddenly there
was stir in the group of bystanders
and Katy burst through into the oper
space. Thady saw her, and mo-
mentary hesitation caused him to miss
point, and De Brousson's sword rip
ped slight cash in his cheek. Whether
it was this or the sight of his old love
he closed at once with his adversary
disarming him almost by force of Nero
brute strength, and had drawn back his
hand to strike when Katy ran to him
and, clinging to his arm, cried:
"Thady, Thady, you know not what
you dol"
He tried impatiently to shake her off,
his eyes the while, like hungry VOLTS
fixed upon his prey. SnarIing oaths and
imprecations, he struggled with her
but could not make her release his arm.
He attempted to take the sword in his
left hand, but she jerked his arm, and
the bright steel fell softly 70 the ground
between them.
"Katty, let me CO." he said, hoarseiy.
LET me go. He lied of YOU"
She sank to the ground, covering her
face with her hands. "No, mol God
help me. it is true"
Thady staggered and passed his hand
across his eyes, as if the whole world
had suddenly grown dark to him. His
face was contorted by the fierce work
ing OF the spirit within. Twice he
opened his lips, but he could force no
utterance past them. He looked down
on the weeping woman at his feet with
pity, without contempt, almost without
recognition, and as he looked his gaze
fell upon the naked steel lying beside
her in the grass. His sight grew clear
again, his face set and calm, and, stoop-
ing, he picked it up and kissed the
blade.
Love of my life" he murmured, 81
do you wrong. Be thou my honor"
Once more, with bitter smile, and
as if struck by some swift thought, he
stopped and tore one from the ribbons
futtering on his lost loves dress, and
tied it as a sword knot to his hilt.
He stepped to his place and babe the
wondering Frenchman take up his
sword.
"our quarrel" he said, ais yet to set
tie"
at seems but Ill manners to doubt
lady's word" sneered De Brousson.
"You lied," answered Thady, delib-
erately and without heat, land stand
here to prove it. To your guard, sirl"
The other made no reply beyond the
raising of his blade, but he felt he had
now another man to deal with. The
impetuous, reckless combatant was re-
placed by cool, determined swords
man, whose aim he OWNED was to Stay
him, and fear gave strength and nerve
to wrist and heart. The contest was
unequal and rapid. Thady pressed him
back and back some half dozen PAGES,
then, with swift parry, thrust aside
his sword and ran him through the
heart.
The man fell without groan, and
Thady, turning on the on-lookers, held
the crimsoned blade at arms length
above his head.
"He lied!" he cried, land who dare
gainsay it?"
They looked at him in wonder, this
grim, stern champion, who would
maintain by bold words and sharp steel
the honor of fair frailty; but they
shrugged their shoulders. "The mad
dest of the mad Irish," said they, and
turned on their heels.
He stood looking, but not seeing. as
they passed out of sight. He gave no
sign as Katy went by, supported by
her attendant. The body of the slain
man was borne past him, but still he
stood unheeding, meshed In the misery
of thought, lost in stupor of unre-
allied pain; and there was that in his
face that Desmond dared not break in
on his thoughts.
"a gallant gentleman" said the lat
ter half aloud, with sorry end-to
die because woman's wanton."
The words Jared on Thady's con-
seriousness with a sudden pain as of
clumsy hand probing an open wound,
and leaping on his friend he gripped
him by the throat and shook him fierce
ly. "You lie, you devils spawn, you
lie!" and then, with quick revulsion of
feeling he loosed his grasp.
Desmond, forgive me. I'm mad; it's
trying to give myself the lie, am" and
the reckless fighter, the desperate chal-
lenger. flung himself downward on the
grass, and burst into food of bitter
tears.-Chicago Herald.
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