The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-12

ceived by Mademoiselle De Lalanne, a1d
therefore, | may without dishonor cross
swords with you. His ExceEency would
understand. am sure
The two strobe In silence, side by side,
down the crispy glit;ering slope, their dis
torted black shadows dancing grotesqueiy
behind them. When they were within about
hundred PAGES Of the fir grove Mademoi-
selle lie Lalanne returned to the room they
had SO hastily forsaken. Her face was now
more softly radiant and the laughing ma
lice had died out of her eyes. Close at her
skirts came tall. fair-haired, ruddy-fea
ured man, with English written large, all
over him. His eyes rested for moment
on madame's slumbering form in the big
chair, then swept the empty spaces with
quIzzical expression.
Your fine birds have flown, sweetheart,
he exclaimed. with a boyish laugh.
Mademoiselle was at the window in
time to note the direction of their flight.
At glance she understood the imminent
results Of her coquetry. Pale with sudden
fear she turned and clutched her compan-
ions arm.
''Oh, Jack" she cried, they have gone
away to fight Quick quick! Stop them!"
The Englishman laughed again = but
very softly, so as not to awaken madame
and looked down into her face. He was
|
half heard her words.
stop what?" he asked, STOPPING with
swift movement to kiss her. But she
sprang back, angry and frightened.
stop them, l say, Jack They are GO
ing to fight, and perhaps they'll kill each
other; and it's my fault. I've been very
wicked. Oh, I'll go myself" and ne
darted out of the room.
At this he awoke. He caught her before
al, al har
firmly.
TITS an awkward thing. sweet" said he.
''to interfere between two indignant gen.
tlemen, who have right to disagree IN
their own way. But II you say so I'll do
It. What shall l say to them? How is 1t
your fault?"
"oh, stupid Can't you see how wicked
I've been? I've made them both think
cared for themi I've made them furiousiy
| Jealous; was so ti.e.' waiting fer you TO
come. and now II they're killed I'll never
| speak to you again.
Jack Moleby's face broke into a grin Of
delighted comprehension.
Wretch" he retorted, Il go! anG
made of down the snow with long strides.
| Throwing a hooded cloak about her, and
/ thrusting her feet, red shoes and all. into
/ a pair OF white, fur-lined moccasins, made
moiselle sped after him.
/ The night was almost like full day in
! the little white glade where the Two
| Frenchmen faced each other with swords
! at the salute. The two fought in theii
vests, their coats lying o.. the snow near
/ by In skill they appeared to be well
matched, and De Latour, who hal never
before met anyone at all his equal in
fence began to conceive an unwilling
respect for the coxcomb captain. In fact,
| hs had Just by the merest hair-breadth es-
capped scratch, when, from the edge OF
the grove, a voice of sharp authority rang
out. Haiti" and Captain Jacks tall fig
ure appeared suddenly beside them.
With instant and instructive obedience
both men sprang back and dropped then
points; then, in the next second, both
/ turned Indignantly upon the intruder
who are you. sir?" demanded De La
tour, CURLY.
'And by what right. If 1 may ask, dc
you interfere in our pastime3' enquired
| Barras.
CAPTAIN Jack. who was more embar-
raised than he would have cared to show
chose to answer the latter question
by no right, gentlemen. he replied
heartily, land l beg to apologize in the full
est manner. l know, too. l owe you sat
isfaction for my abruptness, and OF course
/ am quite ready to afford it to you both
if you demand it. But l beg you rather
accept my apology"
I'VE can discuss that later on, said DE-
Latour. in tones OF ice; land meanwhile
Captain Barras, with your consent. we VII
resume"
But before the blades could cross agair
the Englishman stepped forward sharply
his own sword half drawn.
Really. gentlemen" he began. in voic'
of mastery Il must insist that you stoI
fighting. No more of 1t. say! and NJ:
blood began to get hot. Then he RENE M
{ nj
: dIling Marie's wishes If he should himself
Kill one or perhaps both of these impetu-
, ous and Infatuated Frenchmen: and the
, thought gave him pause. He considered
The situation very awkward altogether
, But now Jack Moeby had an inspiration
r He would try diplomacy. Replacing hi
I sword. and relapsing into his custcmar.
large good-humor, he sml!ed geniaiIs up
the scowling faces
fyou see gentlemen, | stated to disturb
YOU. but | had to do as I was commanded
Nademoiselle De Lalanne sent me with pos
] tive orders to stop the fight at any cost
t In nv stupidity thought | might have t
8 fight you both, in order to obey her. Blu
I should have known. as soon as SAY
the courtly gentlemen you were, that m
one effective weapon would be the expires
sion of her wishes. She simply implore
you. II her happiness is of any concern {
e Won that you will do each other no in
n Jury. Sac beseeches you to promise tina
. YOU Will put your quarrel, whatever it ma
be. forever by; without which promise sh
declares that she will live in ceaseless anS
iety l think, gentlemen. from my obser
walton OF her solicitude in this matter. tina
= one or the other of you must be honore
= by very distinguished place in her re
I gard.
Each on nearing these sagacious word
conceived himself to be the one so hon
= ored Into De Latour's coli eyes came
= CLEAN of citation.
a ''Mademoiselle De Lalanne's wishes al
a command. monsieur" said he, sheathin
u his sword II need no apology from 20
= for having obeyed them. Rather should
wish to hold you to account had you faile
Il TO fulfill them to the letter.
= 81 thank you, monsieur, with all m
heart" said Captain Jack. bowling and bi
: ing back a smile. "And you, monsieur
: he went on, turning to BarrasY have
!