The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-05-03
by Harold MACGratsl -

Va ItiN lliS ult, IlllldIS anu inc lIu-
/ keeper. after having taken pair Of
/ pistols had mounted the cavalry
horses despite the protests of the own
ers and had gallopcd away in pursuit
OF the prince and Count Won Walden
( They caught sight Cf them n nile or
SO ahead. They were Looping along at
n fair speed. 1t took half an hour to
bring the TWO parties within speaking
distance. Although the prince and Won
Walden heard them. they never turned
around. but kept on straight ahead.
This made Ei!lars' choler rise, and he
spurred forward.
"One moment. gentlemen" he cried
Il have q word with YOU"
They gailoped on unheeding. When
Huiars gct in front Of them. they
merely veered to either side
"Ahr' said Hillars. choking with
rage. With a quick movement he bent
and caught the bride Of the princes
horse The count, seeing that the
prince was compelled 10 rein in, did
likewise. The prince looked diSdain-
full
We'll, what is it," asked Won Wal.
Gen. Speak quickly. Has your scrib-
bling friend run away with her high
ness"
"My remarks, most noble and puts
SAINT count" said Hillars. bowling sa-
tirically to the neck of his horse, II
shall confne to the still more noble
and puisSant Prince of WortumbOrg."
This is an unappreciated honor"
sneered the prince.
$50 1t is," replied EIillars lightly.
when an honest man speaks TO you,
he is comforting an honor upon you
which you, as you say, cannot appre-
ciate. 1t appears 10 me that YOU"
highness has what we in America call
malaria. l propose to put hole
through you and let out this bad sub
stance. Lead, properly used, is great
curative. Sir, your presence on this
beautiful world is an eyesore to me-"
"One excuse is as good as another, -
said the prince. Did her highness
delegate you to put me out Of the
wayY'
oh, no. But since you have brought
her name into it, / confess that l. is
on her account. Well, sir. no man has
ever insulted woman in my presence
and gone unScathed In English speak
ing lands we knock him down. This
being Rome. l shall Go as the Romans
do. l believe | called you n liar.
will do so again. Is the object Of my
errand plaiuE"
LAS / said to your friend" smiled
the prince, Il will send a laclley down
here to take care of you. Count, we
shall hardly get to the station in time
to catch the train, Young man, stand
aside. You annoy me. | have no time
to discuss the princess or her lovers.
Release my horse!"
What a cur you arew cried Hillars,
losing his airy tone. by heaven,
you will fight me if l have to knock
you down and spit upon you" Then
with full force he flung his hat into
the face Of the prince.
You have written fms to your tale, -
said the prince, dismOunting.
Your highness," exclaimed the count,
springing to the ground, this must not
be! You shall not risk your life at the
hands Of this cursed adventurer."
Patience, count" said the prince,
shaking off the hand which the count
had placed upon his shoulder. "Decid-
edly this fellow is worth consideration.
Since we have no swords, sir, and they
seem to be wOman's weapons these
days, we Will use pistols. OF course,
you have come prepared. 1t is a fine
time for shooting This first light of
twilight gives us equal advantage. VIII
it be at 10 or 20 PAGES? | dare say, if
we stand at 20 in the center of the road,
we shall have a good look at each other
before we separate indefinitely"
Your highness insiStsW murmured
the count.
81 not only insist; I command" The
prince took off his coat and waistcoat
and deposited them on the grass at the
side Of the road. Hillars did likewise.
There was pleased expression on his
face. 81 do believe, count" laughed
the prince, this fellow expects to kill
me. Now the pistols"
"If you will permit me-" said the inn
keeper, taking an oblong box from un-
der his coat. "These are excellent
weapons"
The prince laughed. 81 suppose inn
keeper, If the result is disastrous to me
it will please your
The innkeeper was not lacking in
courtesy. 1T would be a pleasure,
assure you. There are certain reasons
why cannot fight you myself"
"To be sure"
at would be too much like murder"
continued the innkeeper. your hand
would trem1le so that you would miss
me at point blank. There goes the last
of the sun. We must hurry"
! With a grimace the count accepted
the box and took out the pistols.
"They are old fashioned" he said.
"a deal like the innkeeper's morals"
supplemented the prince.
"But effective" said the innkeeper.
The count scowled at the old fellow,
who met the look with phlegm. AS an
innkeeper he might be an inferior, but
as n second at duel he was an equal.
| Ii was altogether n different matter