The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-04-05

NOT ~ the least SAID /. But | felt
shock The word american" was
written after the nationality clause In
my passports. | was in for some ex-
element on my own account. If | re-
turned from my rooms saying that
could Lot find my passports, they
would undoubtedly hold me till the
bring them for YOU" said |. | wanted
eo,ae time i'm which to mature plan Of
action if action became necessary.
There was rather sad expression in
| Gretchon's eyes. She understood to a
fuller extent than | what was likely to
follow when it was found that | had
misrepresented myself. | cursed the
folly which had led me TO say that
was English, and | swore Mt the inn
keeper for meddling. AS | left the
room smiled at Gretchen, but she did
not answer it. Perhaps | was gone five
minutes. In that time | made up my
mind to show the passports and trust
TO luck for the rest. When / came
back. Gretchen had engrossed their at
tention. They took no notice of me.
have never understood how it came
about, but all at once the lieutenant
bent forward and kissed Gretchen on
the cheek. She started back with a
cry, then looked at me. That swift
! glance told me what to do. | took the
! lieutenant by the collar and flung him
into the corner. The surprise on his
! face was not to be equaled. Then as
he rose to his feet the veins in his neck
swelled with rage.
I'll pay you for that, you meddling
! beef eater! he reared.
Don't mention it," said |, with an
assumption Of blandness which | did
not feel. THAT was simply gratuitous.
| 1t is a sample of what l shall 90 to you
if you do not Immediately ask this la
dy's pardon for the gross insult you
have just offered her.
Insult To kiss a common barmaid
an insult" he yelled, now purpling.
'Why-why-wha is this woman to
youths tavern wench, this
"Be careful" | warned. Gretchen
was calmly wiping her cheek, but her
! eyes were like polished emeralds.
You have come here, believe" said
l, ito see if my passports were proper"
Curse you and your passports! Are
! you a gentleman|
would you recognize one if you saw
| him?" laughed.
Can you fight"
Certainly" said l, thinking Of the
| weapons nature in her kindness had
! given to me.
Good. Otto, have the horses brought
! around We will cut for the barracks
and get the colonels weapons, the ra-
piers" The word "rapier" sent an icy
! chill up my spine. A duel
The devil" said | under my breath.
! | knew less about fencing than | did
about aerial navigation, which was
! precious little The fact that Gretchen
was now smiling aggravated the situa-
ton. | could not heap the shudder.
Why, the fellow would make sieve
out Of me.
VIII you look at my passports
now" | asked. You NAV not have
the opportunity again.
Your passports from now on will be
void" was the retort. But | shall be
/ pleased to give you a passport to the
devil. shall kill you" complacently
Think Of my family" said |, n
strange humor taking possession Of
nae.
You should have thought If your
family before you struck me that
blow" he replied.
My laughter was genuine. Even
Gretchen struggled a smile. The lieu
tenant had taken my remark In all Sc
robustness. You will not run away"
he asked.
Il shall probably be obliged to run
away tomorrow" said | smoothly. Il
should not be able to account for your
presence here. But | shall await your
return from the barracks, never fear"
All this was mere bravado. Honestly,
shrunk within my clothes and SILVER
ed in my shoes. But had an unfailing
nerve. Some call it bluff
Gretchen had been whispering to the
innkeeper. When he moved from her
side. she was smiling.
What the deuce is she smiling
aboutw | wondered. Does the wom-
an take me for a modern D'Artag-
uanY'
"Innkeeper," said the lieutenant eff
this man is not here when | return I'll
take satisfaction out of your hide
The innkeeper shrugged. II have
never heard of an EngliShman running
away"
And have seen many German do
that" | put III. How am | to know
that your going to the barracks is not
a ruseY''
He gasped. The words would not
come which would do Justice to his
feelings. He drew off one Of his gloves
and threw it into my face 1t stung
me. should have knocked him down
but for the innkeeper stepping be-
tween.
"No. herr he said: do not disable
him.
You had best go to the barracks at
once" said TO the lieutenant. Ny
clothes were too small for me now. and
| did not shiver In my shoes. My