The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-05-22
MYNHEER JOE,
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BY ST. GEORGE RATHBoRNE
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ROBERT

| inwardness of this affair; 1t hardly
needs the glance they take into the
mess-room to corroborate their suspi'
| cions.
1t is a scene they will never for
get as long as they live. A dozen
or more officers and gentlemen have
been at the table; the cloth is removed
and cigars and wine served. At one
side of the Colonel stands Mynheer
Joe, the hero Of Khartoom; he holds
an empty wine-glass in his hand,while
upon his face can be seen a contemp'
tuous look. His eyes are bent across
the table.
Nearly opposite to him is the baron
With a snowy handkerchief he wipes
the wine from his face; it has also
discolored his shirt-front where blazes
a wonderful diamond, worth a small
| fortune.
Sandy observes his face and discov-
ers hardly a trace of anger there; in
deed, from the sardonic smile one
would imagine that this incident is
| Just what the Russian duelist has
played for.
Returning the soiled kerchief to bis
pocket, he cody tosses his card across
the table in the direction Of Mynheer
Joe.
"You will speedily hear from me,
sir" he says, with cutting emphasis.
"The sooner the better, baron! Re-
member, leave on Saturdays steam
er" returns the American, while the
officers look astounded; for, brave men
though they are, there is not one
among them who would care to be in
Joe's shoes.
The Russian bows and leaves the
room; he can no longer remain at the
table with the man who has thus pub
licly insulted him, and as Mynheer
Joe is the guest Of the occasion, it be-
comes his duty to depart from the
mess-table.
Sandy is joined by one Of the off,
GERS, a fine young fellow, who has
taken quite a fancy to the war CORE
spondent. The latter declares it will
be his pleasant duty to see Hans
Fletcher become a general some day.
He has the greatest faith in his dash
ing qualities.
Tell us, how did this ugly affair
come about?" he asks, eagerly, for
those at the mess-table appear to have
forgotten it in listening to Joe's glow
ing story Of Gordon's death.
"Willingly-what little I know" re-
plies the British officer. II was at
the other end Of the table and failed
to distinctly catch the full meaning
of the baron's insult"
"Then he brought 1t on purposely,
as supposed"
1--WE suspect as much, though his
reason is not plain. Perhaps you gen.
tlemen know it?"
1.-The same old story-rivals in love-"
"Ah! That's the truth of it, eh?"
WAS the baron's remark about Miss
Tanner?
II am glad to say it was not. From
the little I heard, I believe it con-
cerned Mynheer Joe's country-some
insulting allusion to the flag that cov-
ers our cousins across the water"
Good! And Joe resented it, as any
true American would, no matter If his
death was foregone conclusion" says
Sandy, hotly.
But, you see, it's a serious thing
to bring on a row at the Colone's
mess-table."
And still more serious thing to be
publicly insulted there. The Colonel
should have seen to it that only gen.
tlemen were invited and not the mis-
erable hound who thinks his title of
baron can cover up all his iniquities." !"
The lieutenant glances rather ner-
vously around, hoping no friend Of
the baron would overhear what is be-
ing said by the fiery little correspond
ent, or there may be double duel
on the tapis.
Honestly, now, lieutenant, If you
had been at the mess-table of q Ger
man regiment, an invited and honored
guest, and this man should say ex-
actly the same against your flag what
he did against our stars and stripes,
what would have been your action?"
pursues Sandy. .--.~--~
The officer bites his military NOUS
tacne.
Really, my dear fellow, you have
me. There would be but one course
for me to pursue, and that to cast his
slur in his teeth, as brave man like
Mynheer Joe has DONE"
Exactly! knew it! Then blame
him no more, but rather honor his
daring. When this cur had given the
insult-what then?"
Every eye was turned on Mynheer
Joe, for we all understood what was
meant. I saw him shut his teeth hard,
but only slight frown passed over
his bronzed face. Leaning over the
table, he looked the baron full in the
eye and said calmly: I return the
compliment, baron. That flag could
never wave over the land that harbors
Siberia" And quick IS a fash he
emptied his wine-glass full into the
others face
Sandy's face glows with enthusiasm.
He is proud of his countryman. A
few more such men as Mynheer Joe
scattered about the world would cause
4 greater respect for the stars and
stripes among the nations of Europe.
He looks at the explorer, and does
not see that Joe is impressed with
the danger into which he has been
thus drawn by circumstances.
II have great confidence in his abil.