Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-06-29
CHAPTER xx-econtipueag

OF entering f8e h0nEaGe OF the bas>iuh
he termed love. Yet today she felt
that only thus might she gain the end
she coveted. But to-day IL was doubly,
trebly bitter-for to-day she Ind
learned that a mans voice might yet
sway and q mans touch thrill her.
But he had left her forever, and she
had let him 20.
I'll anu not too lates" she sighed.
.sToo late, maaamey For whatT'
sTo prevent this fight-this duel,
Brilliant swnrdsman rs You are, some
accident might have disarmcd you.
You might have been the victim"
sYou feared for my life, ma chere.
Since your fear lent IL Sueh value, do
you not know that IL would possess n
magic charm for it's safety But You
do not know my skill. Spare me an
hour and I viii return TO tell you that
this Stripling's insolence Is forever ST.
fenced. and. in trophy. show you the
tip OF the sword which win bear the
stain OF his hearts blood
She shuddered and recoiled.
$40. prince-no- she murmured.
'sYou must neither risk your own life.
nor take a~n0ther'S. All this is a mis-
take. Listen, and you shall hear IL
ALL"
And hastily she repeated to him 't'
story to which Arkwright had alrCa
listened.
Perhaps she added, Il wished 10
know If YOU would resent my favor to
another-pefhaps | wished 10 test the
profession you bad made; but. indeed.
/ dreamed not such results might fol-
low. 1t is true that ! gave the boy the
rose. But do not let his life pay the
np5an Won will seNur0 him hac9nSa L
ask itg'
low SUM the sweetiy-modulated
words: hut the prince frowned as he
listened.
.ls his life so dear to you that you
thus plead:" he asked.
MOT she answered. But no for
me- must the stain of blood rest on
your soul. Your courage, prince, Is
known throughout Europe. You can
refuse 20 fight. and no man VIII ques-
ton why. Listen. If ! promise new
er TO see him again-if l swea never
10 let him know that through my inter
cessinn this duel was avertei-if | pay
the price Of his life by my hearts
boundless gratitude, will you refuse
my prayer
She clasped her hands In entreaty as
she spoke. and the lovely face was up
turned to his own; but hard rs hers
had been when Beatrice made her
prayer. so was his hard now.
.'yeu talk like a child. ma belle! This
~insolent STRIPPING insulted me last night
he tossed in my face the wine left IN
his glass. and MS the red wine was
spilled, so will his life-blood he Spilled:
only. the former was ~precious-the lat
ter ~valueless.''
4ssag. 49, 81 Gfvsatrf 1h. ryfaN tfF mat
FOR his sake. III not for your sake. then
for mine. that all my life / may not
bear the burden 0f his sin, Whatsoev-
or price you daim for mercy, that pric,
i viii pay.'
x sudden CLEAN shot across the dark,
cold face. Full well she knew what
she had held forth ~ him: full well she
knew the deadly temptation which lay
In her words, bur. giving linn no tim
20 speak. she went n
This boy muSf not die" she a
"And TO fight with you means death
Spare him, and rame your guerion-
glay him. and by the heavens which
hear my vow. I will shut myself within
a convent's walls. and there seek TO ex
piate the vanity of which his young
life paid the Forfeit
And my eucraon.' he whispered
while the hot blood seethed through
his veins AZ the thought Of his coming
triumph.
What shall it bey' she replied, and
her eyes languid glance uplifted itsel
10 his.
.sThat within the week you becom,
my wife,"
within the weeky' she repeated.
And so might a condemned crimina
.x~f.r~# 49,. .a.eN npraxtvtfGa1 rnr bf
execution.
Even So she whispered. 1T shal
be as you say"
He stopped then. aud. for the hrs
time, pressed his lips TO hers. Sl
shuCdered. as under the inflietion Of
degradation unSpeakahle. and a bright
crimson blush lent her new baauty
bur he saw only itS added briliiancy
aud dreamed NOT or It's cause.
Alden. ma BELLE he whispered. o
be handed her back into the carriage
"adieu. until TO morrow
..Oh. God. she m0aned. as sh
leaned heavily hack. that ere to mo-
row I might de-
Had the prince forgotten his prom
iseg Was royal word so lightly brol
en- Not an hour had elapsed since !
had pledged il. when. vita all the pr
llminaricS enued. all the fornlaltls
complied with. in a quiet spot beyon
the city limliS. in the dark shade OF
friersily wood, Carl bancroft met hil
v face To face.
The young lieutenant was white. |;
though all hlocd had left his body: bt
his eyes were dauntless and his moui
proud aud firm. The thin lips of Il
priace were curled in a.cruel saee
& Each held In his right hand an III
y sheathed sword. The sun had one
his kingIy rest: the moon refused
look up on the slaughter: the dull yrs
= OF the coming darkness shadowed Il
4 silent group. Then a white handke
chief tiuttered In the air: the sign
II had beck given; the sharp clash
steel broke the stiffness.
A minute only it lasted; then ii
ung man stood defenceless. III
n sword. by marvellous skill, had bee
a wrenched from his grass. lie was
n the mercy OF his enemy. "
al - y
M I'm AprE syt vyU