Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1901-03-08
By Harold MacGrath y

= ~ - ~,14z-D 80 - Ex&~ =
miSrcprcscntcd myself cursed the
folly which had lcd me % say that
WAS English. and ! Sworr AZ the inn
keeper FOR modelling. ~ | left the
rrnm smiled at Gretchen. hui she did
hot answer il. Perhaps | was gone live
minutes. I'm that time | made up any
mind To show the passports and trust
10 luck for the rest. When | came
back. Gretchen had rngroSSed their at
tention. They took no notice of me.
have never understood how il came
about. hut 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 tn do. | took the
lieutenant 10y the collar AMI flung him
into the corner. The surprise on his
face was not to Ice equaled. Then as
he rose to his feet the veins In his neck
swelled with rage.
IN pay you for that you meddlng
beer cater.' he roarcd
Don't mention it," said |. with an
assumption of blandness which | did
not feel. That was simply gratuitous
1t is sample of what shall do to you
if you do not Immediately ask this Ia.
| 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
you-this 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 gentleman"
Would you recognize one if you saw
him. laughed.
Can you fight?'
Certainly" said /, 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. \ duel.
The devil"' said under my breath
| knew less about fencing than | did
ahort aerial navigation, which was
! precious little. The fact that Gretchen
was now smiling aggravated the situa-
ton. | could not heip the shudder.
| hn
out of mel
viii you look at my passports
now" l asked You may 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. l shall kill you" complacently.
"Think of my family" said |, a
strange humor taking possession of
| me.
You should have thought of your
family before you struck me that
blow" he replied.
My laughter was genuine. Even
Gretchen struggled 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. 81
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
aboutY | wondered. Does the wom-
an take me for modern D'Artag-
nan?"
"Innkeeper," said the lieutenant, IF
this man is not here when | return I'll
take satisfaction out of your hide"
The innkeeper shrugged. Il have
never heard of an Englishman running
away"
"And l have seen many German do
that" l put in. How am l to know
that your going to the barracks is not
ruse"
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.
mo, herr" he said; do not disable
him."
You had best go to the barracks at
once" said | 10 the lieutenant. MY
clothes We're too small for me now, and
| did not shiver in my shoes. My
yankee" blood was up would have
fought him with battleaXes.
Herr" said the innkeeper when the
two had made off for the barracks,
you are man of courage"
Thanks" said |.
"Do you know anything about ra-
piersY' he asked.
II know the handle from the blade;
that's all. But that does not make any
difference. I'd fight him with any
weapon He struck me, and then
then he kissed Gretchen"
Il have wiped it off, herr" said
Gretchen dryly. Then she passed from
the room. | went up stairs too. |
looked out of my window. There was
moonlight, possibly the last time
should ever see moonlight in the land