Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-08-23

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fstood. as best could tor my ,ceakness,
and looked OUT
one. and yet. as put my hand ON the
fellows bride when we reached the
highway, wondered IL she were worth
it all. We had both seen the kind lights
in her eyes and had both watched them
fading to indifference, as though COW
cred by the ashes of some memory But
this did not soften me one jot.
"What would you have of meP" he
asked.
81 would hava you dismount, sir,
said quietly, land give me some sort Of
satisfaction for the insults have re-
ceived from you in my fathers house.
"What nonsense is this2" he cried.
snarling down at me.
For answer l struck him .smartly on
the face with my bare hand
ga peasants insult. by heavenl"
He ripped out his long German sword
and charged me- leaped aside. He
whistled his blade up for cut. It
snapped mine. and felt it jar against
the guard, just where the smith had
made the deep notch. With sudden
fierce twist broke the Damascus short
off, and before he had realized defeat
he was fiat on his back. endorsed and
unarmed.
"Give me the hilt, demanded. and
he sullenly handed it over.
"Now get into your saddler cried.
l. He mounted silently
by the way. baby face. here are
some Of your rhymes, which Mistress
Castletree once gave me. And. Tipping
a bit of paper in my face. he spurred
away.
lifted the paper. 1t was the copy of
Harry's verses which had caused such
a confusion Of bushes that day on the
south terrace. So she had given it to
him5-to the fool Englishmanl No doubt
they had laughed and snickered over it
and he had made one Of his favorite re-
marks about the position Of the cadet
My pride was cut to the quick. did
wandered away through the white
mist that lay on the fields. cursing my
self for not killing him when had the
chance. But why blame and curse at
the man altogetherr Like wounded
wolf, my anger turned on the memory
Of Marion. The fire of love and respect
which l had kept 80 high on the hearth
Of my heart in spite Of all she had done
now blew away-a handful Of gray
ashes. But it left the mark where it
had burned
walked with bent head across the
wet grass-my sword under my arm,
the paper crushed in my fingers Only
faint gray line along the eastern hills
showed where the morning was lying
behind the world when / turned back
toward the house met Harry at the
avenue.
"What in heavens name have you
been doingS" he gasped
Bidding Sir Willis godspeed."
said.
| He touched my shoulder "Have You
killed him. Dartf" he asked
shook my head mo; let him go
on his way. which is straight to the
devil, answered.
We went up to the open door, and
Harry treasured the family with a
smile Then they went back to their
sleep, and poured myself a glass OF
brandy and asked Harry to lend me
some money
"How much will you have. dear boy
l can give you anything under 200
crowns. he said.
l slipped the liquor slowly. staring
carefully around the old room was
wondering if it would be very hard tc
live away from these familiar things.
With start came back to my broth
er's question.
"Ten crowns will be enough" an.
swered
He went out and returned almost i'm.
mediately with leather bag of gold.
He did not ask any questions. but
followed me to the stables and helped
me saddle Hagart.
embraced silently before mount
ed. ''Be back for Christmas. he said
land do not think that the love of {
woman is sweeter because it is easily
got.
"What do you mean by thatf"
whispered, bending from the saddle.
'"That the heart of woman is not ,
book of ballads to be understood at on,
reading. he answered
| / gathered up the reins and rod,
down the avenue with all the beeche
signing wonderment above my head
On the highroad turned in my sad
die and tossed kiss and prayer bacl
to the great uneven pile that stood nov
against tightening sky