The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-02-21
IAN epic2" ! said.

can epic"
.rnnkeeper." said I, III I give you
my word Of honor not to modest you or
leave this room will you let me be a
/ witness?"
!. He passed into the gloom, then back
! into the light. This is no trick p sus-
piciously. II have deal Of regard for
my old bones, old as they are"
"On my honor"
"Well, I'll do it. tits In the blood of
us all. But false move on your part,
and promise you that this knife shall
find resting place in you" ,9s.a
He cut the ropes, and was free.
But my arms ached. The two of US
took our stand by the window and
waited for the principals In the drama
about to he enacted in the clearing. l
confess that my conscience was i'll at
ease. Why knew not. was dread
Ing something. l knew not what. The
innkeepers hand trembled on my arm.
Ssh! They come" he whispered.
As l looked beyond his finger l saw
four figures advance over the sward.
One of them, slight boyish form, was
new to me. The fellow walked briskly
along at the side Of Stahlberg, who
was built on the plan of Hercules.
When they came to the clearing, they
stopped. The seconds went through
the usual formalities of testing the
temper Of the swords. Somehow l
could not keep my eyes off the young
ster who was going to do battle with
| no
dering where in the world he had come
from and why in the world he had
chosen this place to settle his dispute
in. There were plenty of convenient
places in the village in and around the
barracks. He took his position, back to
me, SO | could not tell what he was
| like. Tie moon shone squarely in the
lieutenant's face, upon which was an
expression Of contempt mingled with
confidence. My heart thumped, for
had never seen a duel before.
II do not know where you came
FROM" heard the lieutenant say, "but
you managed nicely to pick quarrel.
1t is all on your own head. 1t is too
bad that cur of an Englishman had to
run away"
The innkeeper's knife was so close
that could feel the point of it against
my ribs. So gave up the wild idea of
yelling from the window that l hadn't
| run away. The lieutenant's opponent
| shrugged He placed himself on guard.
| That was his reply. Suddenly the two
| Sprang forward and the clash Of
| swords followed. could not keep
track Of the weapons, but l could see
that the youngster was holding his
OWN amazingly we'll. Neither was
| touched the first bout.
Two minutes" murmured the old
rascal at my side. 1T will be over this
| time
You seem to have a good deal of
| confidence in your man," said l.
"There is not finer swords-swords-
| man in the kingdom, or on the CONT
nent for that matter. There, they are
at it againv'
Step by step the lieutenant gave
ground. The clashing had stopped" 1t
| was needlelike work now. Gradually
they began to turn around. The blades
| flashed in the moonshine like heat
lightning. My pulse attuned itself to
every stroke l heard a laugh. 1t was
full of scorn. The laugh-it recalled to
me laugh had heard before. Evil
| IDENTITY the youngster was playing with
the veteran. I became fascinated. And
while the innkeeper and l watched a
curious thing happened. Something
seemed to be slipping from the young
ster's head. He tried to put up his free
| hand, but the lieutenant was making
/ furious passes. A food of something
dimly yellow suddenly fell about the
lads shoulders. Oh then knew! With
snarl of rage took the innkeeper by
the throat and hurled him, knife and
| all, to the floor, dashed from the room,
/ thence to the stairs, down which l
leaped four at time. Quick as was,
was too late. The lieutenant's sword
hay on the grass, and he was clasping
his shoulder, with the sweat of agony
on his brow.
"A womanw he groaned. "a wom-
anr Then he tottered and fell in the
arms of his subordinate. He had faint
| ed.
This win make a pretty story
cried the young officer as he laid his
superior lengthwise and tried to
stanch the flow of blood. Here's a
man who runs away and let's a woman
God knows what sort-fght his duels
| for him, the eur!'
never looked at him, but went
straight to Gretchen. Stahlberg gave
me questioning glance and made
move as though to step between.
''Stand aside, man, snapped.
Gretchen, you have dishonored me-"
1T were better than to bury YOU"
lightly. 81 assure you he caused me no
little exertion."
Yet her voice shook, and she shud
dered as she cast aside the sword.
"You have made laughing stock of
me. l am a man and can fight my own
s. a.
s s 4