Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-12-21
CHAPTER VII.
HE DUEL IN TIE GARDE,


THE DUEL IN THE GARDEN.
He bowed to us on being shown into
his closet. and, taking the paper, tore it
open and read. l noticed him bite his
lips in anger. "Dastardlyl" he said
and thrust it in his belt.
Then he looked at the lady who was
clinging to my arm.
"This is the prisoner, sire, whom
Captain Castletree captured ON the
road, " | said.
His face was ashen.
barbara Great heavens, is it your"
he cried
We bowed ourselves out, and at the
door met Harry. His face was flushed
THAT is Princess Barbara of Colburg,
the kings betrothed," he whispered in
my ear.
was staggered at that, thinking Of
the ride we had together and the sweet
things | had said to her.
We four went down stairs, and Harry
ordered us breakfast in the royal par
lor, as if he were crown prince at least
We talked over our adventures, and
Harry smiled warmly, especially at the
capture of the lady. But he seemed to
have something bothering him.
When the meal was finished. the cap
tain and Red Harding went ont to see
about the men, and Harry drew me
nto a corner where he could talk pri-
5ately. He put his fingers on my sword
,ilt and said: Brother, | have little
engagement for tonight behind the
statue of Cicero in the kings garden.
1t is with Colonel Angus Macdonald,
the Scotch free lance. VIII you come
with meT'
my dear boy, what foolishness is
,his?" said then, lowering my voice,
''He is the best sword in Wassmark.
Not quite think, Harry an
swered, with a smile. "But what cf
that? He insuted me. the Viscount
LISTENS Will you come or shall get
some German or wind bag from Bo.
hernia because my own brother is
afraid? p
flushed at that. "You lie there, l
said
He clapped my back Good, old fire
eaterl | he'd on purpose TO get your
blood up. Now, will you second meT
Eyes, to the hilt, | swore,
hill to the city asked after the Lady
St. Armand.
'She is enjoying very good health,
thank you, he replied
(Which is more than her cavalier
is, - i retorted, for ! felt sore about this
duel
He frowned, but neither looked at
me nor spoke, so | kept silence for
awhile
In narrow street, smelling Wiley Of
garlic ana roasted sausages, we ran
across Red Harding, cheek by jowl
with another grizzled veteran.
They We're evidently well freighted
with wine, for they passed with tipsy
salutes and went wabblng down the
gutter shouting a song.
At last Harry began to talk about
the army, the city and the king, as if
nothing uncommon was in the air and,
after all, quiet passage with swords
was nothing among gentlemen But
the thought of the big scotchman hung
like a cloud ON my heart
Presently we came to little street
with fine stone houses on each side and
glimpses now and then of green terraces.
While going along here | noticed some
thing fall past my face, and, looking
down, found a red rose on the pave
ment. Around its stem was twisted q
little slip of paper. While | stood and
lurveyed this mysterious blossom open
mouthed, Harry snatched it up and I'M
wound the note
His face was all golden smile again,
l,l h., Z. IL /. l.. 1
me Of the court of Blatenburg and
again at the kings fete in the palace.
81 must leave you, Dart for little
while he said hurriedly, "but don
wait for me. Remember the statue OF
Cicero at midnight. And, pressing my
hand he was gone.
"The green eyed lass ! bet my
sword, | muttered to myself and
turning, was about to retTace my step'
when who should | see across the cob
blestones but Captain Castletree, with
the big Scotch colonel Angus Mac
Donald
/ crossed over and joined them, anG
we moved down the street together
talking of everything but the duel, A
the door Of gaming house the Scotch
man bid Ms Gu revoir, using that French
term significantly, and we went ON to
gether,
"Have you heard about the duel2'
blurted as soon as we were clear Of
the colonel.
eyes, replied the captain; II an
MacDonald's second.
l stopped and faced him, with my
hand on the hilt of my rapier.
SIS this loyalty to the house Of ISIS
tensf' | Kissed.
He looked at me calmly and an
swercd, ut certainly is, my dear ca