The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-16
At a Sale D,Armes.

I
M. Beauiais. maitre d armes, having
given you so stern and excellent lesson
in the fencing" that you could with
difficulty see out of your eyes, would, in
order to create a short breathing space,
spin stories-some true, some untrue,
many with point and all without a
moral. AS thus:
LIE CaDitaine Larne-yes, he was the
worst fencer in my school. particularly
! as I recollenct at the time of which,
| am speaking Always his moustaehe
grew finer, but not his swordsnanship.
| 1t explained itself one afternoon when he
came down to the sale very 0eaming,
and it was generally known that he had
recently become betrothed to very
! beautiful lady. You younger viii be able
! TO indicate why it is at this period that
| a mans sword arm is stiff. Naturally he
received the utmost fluctuations, for he
was Of a good temper and popularity
| beyond words. Still, L happened TO hear
| NJ Constant-a little rat of a civilian
! Che had been most assiduous with the
epee for some weeks pasD say to him
with an air that anyone less happy than
| ". lie Capitaine would have taken for
an impertinence:
Il have not yet congratulated you on
your good fortune"
/, "Ah, what need?" said lie Capitaine In
his lazy, good-natured way. I protest
| that all my friends are of an overwhelm-
ing kindness. perceive your congratu-
lations in your eye, monsieur"
You yonger will be able to explain why
at this period man sees 80 many things
| that are not obvious. To me 1t seemed
as if NJ. Constants eye was like that
of vicious horse, but ne neither as
sented nor contradicted.
Shall we have a turn together with
| the epee?" he asked shortly.
NJ. le Capitaine agreed, and they were
soon pitted against each other for a
! bout of five. There were many fencing
| in the sale. and 1 was myself instruct
| ing a pupil, but my ears are accustom-
| cd to hear things through the clat of
the steel.
TOUCHED! admitted lie Capitaine in
very short time. Again and yet again
he was touched-the last time with
stroke that would have dissected his
lungs "Touche!' he called
That is for the fifth time, is 1t not?"
asked NJ. Constant.
1T is true" said NJ. lie Capitaine,
laughing
Yesterday It was the same" continued
NJ. Constant. Five touches to nothing"
You are Irresistible" said the other.
humoring him. ALSO for several weeks
past the little man pursued in an even
vaice, 'our bouts have ended themselves
in the same manner
Exactly the same" admitted lie Capt.
tame, again laughing. II am no match
for you. I would not stand against you
in earnest for the world"
And yet," said Constant-and a sheer
came into his voice-"M le Capitaine
Larne would sooner fight me than be
publicly announced coward?"
| At that M lie CaDitaine took him I'M
quickly enough. what is your mean
ing, monsieur" he said.
"A little while ago." said Constant, 'T
| observed that I had not yet cengratu-
lated NJ. lie Capitaine on his good for
tune"
"Wen?"
81 do not intend to-"
ut can be dispensed with" said lie
Capitaine, smiling contemptuously.
For this reason" went on the little
man, insultingly, that I consider the
fortune too good for-shall we say-so
! clumsy a fencer? I do not, It is I'M
derstood, quarrel with NJ. lie Capitaines
| good taste; on the contrary 1 propose
myself to console mann selle in the event
of the unexpected loss Of NJ lie Capt.
taine.'
I could have shaken the little man.
epee for weeks past out of jealousy, in
order that ne might force a duel on NJ
le Capitaine and come out himself I'M
hurt. For a moment 1 feared lie Carl
tame would actually shake him, for he
maed a step toward him with so angry
| a face that the little man shrank back
I in terror. But he restrained himself,
no doubt from consideration OF my feel
ings and the conveniences of the sale,
and only said:
Il shall have much pleasure in asking
my friend to arrange a meeting between
monsieur and myself"
And he retired drawing himself to-
gether as he passed n, Constant. as
/ though to touch him were an abomina-
ton. AS for myself, I murmured (ivth
reference to the little raO, Assassin"
Further. seeing that NJ lie Capitaine was
with me a great favorite, I permitted
myself, as NJ. Constant passed by, to
scrape up a friend Che had few to say In
a sufficiently loud voice, as If answering
some question put me by my pupil:
who is. in my opinion, you ask. best
with. the epee of those that attend my
salle?"
Ny pupil stared, as well he might, but
NJ Constant pricked UP his ears.
81 do not in general" I proceeded,
make distinctions, but without doubt"
| NJ. constant stopped 10 Hsten.
without doubt" l said deliberately,
'ft is NJ lie Capitaine LaTne.''
But" put in NJ. Constant, excitedly
Il have just touched him five times to
nothing in a bout"
"Ah, monsieur" I said. smilingly. "as-
suredly you also are becoming an excel
lent fencer. Your practice IS most com
mendable. but here in the sale NJ le
Capitaine plays-he does not exert his
skill. In a duel"-I shrugged my shoul-
ders-'T myself should not care TO meet
him"
1t was d lie, but how much better a
lie than an assassination I perceived
that NJ. Constant departed in great haste
and almost I could VOW that his teeth
chartered as he went-what happeued2
1t was reported that N J. Cap'taine
was much enrageG to be kent waiting IN
the morning, for his bravery was indu-
bitable But it appeared thai NJ. Con-
slant had conceived so pressing an ad-
miratioR for the colonies that ne felt
himself compelled 70 leave for Tonquin
by the night train. he was a little rat
Defendant shows signs OF sanity.
F'rom the EDworth Herald)
Chaqnette who was recently tried at