The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-09-19

lowing, all on horseback.
There she is! There is Mollvv
cried the captain. What cheer, lass:
What cheer? ..-
Lord Fylingdale held up his hand.
The whole party drew rein and halted.
Then their leader dismounted. They
were now about 20 yards from the
men. He threw his reins to the near
est of the little troop. Gentlemen,
he said, we must proceed with this
business without hurry or buster or
threats. Mr.. Rising will perhaps
threaten and buster. We are here to
rescue a lady and to punish a villain.
Let both be done without appearance
of wrath or revenge. Captain Crovle.
do not dismount I eLtreat you, until
the conclusion of the next act. Molly
is, as you see, apparently safe and un-
| hurt
"They obeyed.
81 shall now measure swords with
| the young gentleman who thinks that
| he can carry off heiresses with impu-
nifty. l would advise you to advance
| a little closer to the house. He must
understand that punishment awaits
| him, if not from me, then from some
other of this company
"'Look at Tom,' said one of them.
His blood is up. He is now all for
fighting. He means mischief, if ever
he has meant mischief. remember at
Swaffham when he fought the young
squire of Headingley. That was about
girl, too-a mere, worthless drab of
tavern servant. Tom broke down his
mans guard and ran him through in
half minute. I wish we were well
out of this job
TON stood in the road, as 1 have
said, his sword in hand, his hat lying
on the ground before him. If flaming
cheeks and eyes as fiery as those of a
bull brought to bay mean mischief,
then Toms intention was murderous.
TO thwart Tom in anything the
gentleman went on, is dangerous; but
to take away his girl-and such a girl
to rob him of that great fortune just at
the moment of success, would madden
the mildest of men. He looks like a
mailman. Should one warn his lord
ship? And he has got two chairmen
with their poles in readiness. We
should ride in upon them before they
can do any mischief So they whis-
pered.
"Said Captain Crowle: Kill him, my
lord. Kill the villain. Kill him.
Let me warn your lordship,' said
the gentleman who had last spoken.
His method will be fierce attack. He
will try to break down your guard
"'I know that method Lord Flying
dale replied coldly. Then he stepped
forward and took off his hat. Mr..
Rising he said, this affair might
very we'll be settled by two or three
sailors or common porters. We are
willing, however, to treat you as a gen.
tleman, which. sir, you no longer de-
serve
eco on, go on said Tom. twill
be all the same in five minutes
"'I am therefore going to do you the
honor Of fighting you
"'I shall show you how l appreciate
that honor. Stop talking, man, and
begin
I must, however, warn you that if
you are to fight as gentleman you
must try to behave as one for this oc-
casion only. Should you attempt any
kind of treachery my friends will in
terfere. In that case you will certainly
not leave the field alive
"'What do you want. thenY
"'You must send away those two
hulking fellows behind you. am will
ing to fight you with swords, but am
not going to fight your lackeys with
clubs
''Tom turned round. Here, you fell
lows; get off. Go and stand beside the
chair. Whatever happens, don't inter-
fere. Well, my lord, the sooner this
event comes off the better.'"
He laid down his sword and took off
coat and waistcoat, turning up the
sleeve of his right arm. Then he turn
ed to Molly and saluted her. mistress
Molly" he said, with grin, ''you are
going to have a very fine sight Per-
| haps when it is over you will be sorry
for your shilly shally-stand off-no,
won't fuss. You're not worth carrying
off. If I'd known Now. my lord"
Lord Fylingdale had also removed
his coat and waistcoat and now stood
in his shirt, with the sleeves rolled up.
| hatless.
| Just at that moment the sun rose
swiftly, as Is his manner in this fat
country. 1t was as if the earth had
leaped into light in order to give these
swordsmen a clearer view of each 9TH
er. They were strange contrast-Mol-
ly's champion erect, pale and calm,
his adversary bent as if with passion,
grasping his sword with eager hand.
"He means mischief" repeated the
gentleman of the troop. II would this
business was ended. wonder If the
noble lord can fight. He does not look
afraid anyhow"
HE looks as If he could feel neither
fear nor anger nor love nor any pas
sion at all. He is an iceberg. Ha,
they are beginning!' -.
| They faced each other. 49,.