The times., 1901-04-28
CHAPTER VI.-CContinued)

ahDuA twenty NaliS itoiu Ailt iitNil liz
threw his reins to the nearest 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 lady and to punish a viii
lain Let both be done without appear
ance of wrath or revenge. Captain
CrowIe. do not dismount, I entreat you.
until the conclusion of the next act. Molly
is. as you see, apparently safe and un-
hurt"
They obeyed
Il shall now measure swords with the
young gentleman who thinks that he can
carry off heiresses with impunity. l
would advise you to advance little clos
er TO the house. He must understand
that punishment awaits him, if not from
me. then from some other of this COM
pany."
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 Heading
ley That was about a girl, toO-a mere,
worthless drab of a tavern servant. Tom
broke down his mans guard and ran him
through in half minute. ! wish we were
well out of this job.
Tom stood in the road. as I have said,
his sword in hand. his hat lying on the
ground before him. If flaming checks and
eyes as fiery as those of bull brought to
bay mean mischief. then Toms intention
was murderous.
ITO thwart Tom in anything" the gen
tIenan went on. is dangerous: but to
take away his girl-and such girl-to
rob him of that great fortune just at the
moment Of success. would madden the
rnildest of men. He looks like q madman.
Should one warn his lordship2 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 whispered.
Said Captain CrowIe: xiii him, my
lord. Kin the villain. Kill him.
let me warn your lOrdship,' said the
gentleman who had last spoken His
method viii be a fierce attack. He will
try to break down your guard.
L know that method" Lo-d Fylingdale
replied. coldly Then he stepped forward
and took off his hat Mr.. Rising he
said. this affair might very weh be set
tied by two or three sailors or common
porters. We are willing, however, to
treat you as a gentleman, which, sir, you
no longer deserve
Go 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
Il shall show you how I appreciate that
honor Stop talking, man, and begin
q must however, warn you that If you
are to fight as a gentleman you must try
TO behave as one for this occasion only.
should you attempt any kind of treaehery
nv friends will interfere. In that case
YOU viii certainly not leave the field
alive"
What do you wan them"
You must send away those two hulk
ing fellows behind you I am willing to
fight your lackeys with clubs"
Tom turned round. Here. you fellows;
get off. Go and stand beside the chair.
Whatever happens. don't interfere. Wen,
my lord, the sooner this event comes of
the better
He laid down his sword and took of
coat and waistcoat, turning up the sleeve
of his right arm. Then he turned to Mol
u and s1luted her. Mistress Molly" he
said, with a grin, you are going to have
a very fine sight. Perhaps when it is
over you viii be sorry for your shiliy
shaIiy-stand off-no, I won't fuss. You're
not worth carrying off. II 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 swift
ly, as is his manner in this fat country. 1t
was as If the earth had leaped into light
in order to give these swordsmen clear
er view Of each other They were a
strange contrast-Molly champion erect.
pale and calm, his adversary bent as If
with passion, grasping his sword with
eager hand.
He means mischief" repeated the
gentlemen of the troop. 4 would this
business was ended. l wonder if the no.
bIe lord can fight. He does not look
afraid anyhow"
He looks as if he could feel neither
fear nor anger nor love nor any passion
at all lie is an iceberg. Ha, they are
beginning
They faced each other.
The swords crossed. Look to your
self" cried Toni Will split you like d
pigeon"
lie stamped and banged. The thrust
was parried easily and lightly. Tom
lunged again, and again with a slight
turn Of the wrist the thrust was parried,
but rs yet Lord FylingdaIe seemed TO
stand on the defensive.
He knows how TO fence" they whis-
pered. See, He means TO tire his ad-
Versary. lie parties everything. Tom
thrusts like 4 madman. Why. he ex-
poses himself al every Iuuge. See! He
has lost his head One would think he
was fighting with an automaton who
could only parry
At the door stood the object and cause
OF the encounter-nameIy, the girl-who
had brought all this trouble upon Tom
Efsing's head. She stood mOtiOnless
hardly breathing watching the duel as
they say the Roman women used to
watch the fight Of the gladiatOrs in an
amphitheatre and as / have seen the
Spanish women watch the men who
fought the bulls IN their circus. 1 believe
that women, ia spite OF their tender
hearts, are CO rricd away, out Of them
selves, by the sight Of mere lighting. It
l. a spectacle which they cannot choose
but gaze upon. II shows the true nature
OF man as opposed to that Of woman.
lie stands Up and risks his life, trust
ing sometimes to his skill, as in a duel
with swords and sometimes TO chance.
as on battlefield where the bullets are
flying. Molly therefore watched the fight
with giea ming eyes and parted lips She
was almost ready 10 forgive the man who
had attempted this injury for the sake
Of his courage, and she could not suffi-
cientiy admire his adversary FOR the cold
and impassive way in which he met every
furious attack. just with a simple turn
Of the wrist, as Il seemed 10 her.
Tom Was strong ana lusty fellow,
and he could fight after his fashion,
which was with thrust upon thrust. fast
and furious. as If reckless Of himself so
that he could engage his adversary who'll
ly In defence until he found a moment of
weakness.
TIa Eod fo,tolst MANI times and t,f.Lor