Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-12-18

turn. That is why l came 10 the Wells
with my godmother, whose name l
have borne since she took me to live
with her; and l let you think that |
would run away with you in order that
l might be able to keep my vow."
Tragedy becomes you, madam" he
said, mockingly. "But why talk of
killing when you know that your eyes
have already mortally wounded mer'
"WiIl you cease this foolish talk? Do
you still think that love brought me
here tonight? / have to avenge the
honor of my name 1t shall not suffer
for want of male kin"
Madam, what folly is this? How
can l fight woman?"
She unclasped her cloak and threw it
from her as the maid approached and
handed her two foils.
81 came prepared, you see, Sir
Harry" she said, as she carefully meas
ured the foils to see that they were of
equal length. Now, sir, choose your
foil and take your stand"
"This is midsummer madness, in
deed! Mistress March, or Ingledew, If
it pleases you better. And though it
may be pretty fooling when so fair a
lady plays part in it, like it not"
'Will you choose foil?'
mo. madam"
"Cowardp She held foil by the hilt
now, and at the word struck him light
ly across the face with the fiat of the
blade
His face was white with anger, save
where red line showed where her
blow had fallen.
Had man struck that blow he
would not have seen to-morrow's sun!
But woman is privileged to some ex-
tent. will fence with you, madam,
since you insist, and when you are dis
armed I will take my revenge in
Kisses"
The moon flung their shadows on the
ground in grotesque confusion, and
glittered on the blades of the foils as
they thrust and parried. She fenced
with care and skill that comes of long
practice.
At first the man carelessly parried her
thrusts, laughing and jesting at the
strange fate which led him, noted
duelist, to cross swords with woman.
But by degrees the jest and laugh died
on his lips, and his gaze remained fixed
on something over Dorothy's shoulder.
1t may have been fancy, or the flicker
of the moonlight on his adversary's un-
covered hair, but he thought the face
of Winifred looked over her sisters
shoulder.
He began to falter, and lunge Dor
othy made remained unparried.
4Winnier' he cried, and as the cry
left his lips Dorothy pierced his heart.
He stumbled; then reIi at her rect.
For moment she stood aghast at the
fulfillment of her vow; then, flinging
away the foil. she knelt at his side.
His eyes opened and as they fell
upon Dorothy the mocking smile strug-
gled again to the white lips. There was
no sound but his gasping breath. His
eyes opened again.
Forgiven he gasped.
His head fell back, and Sir Harry
Fortescue was dead.
Dorothy flung herself on the body
and kissed the lips again and again,
weeping bitterly. Her maid tried to
draw her away.
LET me bev' she sobbed. "Let me
be! o, my love, my love! l thought
there was room for nothing in my heart
but hate, and killed him-killed him.
But shall love him till die!'
Mistress, you forget" pleaded Betty.
''The watch will be here with the day."
Dorothy shuddered and allowed Betty
to wrap the cloak around her. The
waiting woman gave a last searching
glance round to make sure that they
left nothing to betray them, and then
with the foils hidden under her cloak,
led her mistress away. The pride and
fire that had sustained the girl through
the night had gone, and she was now
all weakness and timidity, obliged to
lean heavily on her maids shoulder,
and brain numbed to all but the one
thought that, in avenging her sisters
wrongs she had killed her own lover.
His death was already avenged
Penny Pictorial Magazine