The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-02-21
.Do you know anything shout ra-

piers?'' he asked. M
81 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"
II have wiped it OF, 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
| of the living. Nothing but a mishap on
my opponents part and that early In
the combat would save my epidermis.
The absurd side Of the affair struck
me, and laughed mirthlessly, but
none the less laughed. If it had been
pistols, the chances would have been
equal. A German does not like pistols
as q dueling apparatus. They often
/ miss fire. A sword is surer weapon.
| And then the French use them-the
pistols-in their fiascoes. Rapiers?
was as familiar with the rapier as
was with the Zulu assagai. l unstrap-
ped my travelling case and took out
| Phyllis photograph. put it back. II
| l was to have last look at any wom-
an, it should be at Gretchen. Then I
got out my cane and practiced thrust
ing and parrying. My wrist was
strong. %z
"Well," unused, there's consolation
in knowing that in two hours shall be
either dead or alive"
I flung the cane into the corner. To
pass away the time paced back and
forth. 1t passed too quickly, and it
| was not long ere heard the clatter of
the returning cavalrymen. Some one
knocked at my door. l swung it open
and was thrown to the floor, bound and
| gagged in tenth Of minute.
"Put him on the bed" whispered the
! leader of my assailants. When this
was done, the voice added, "Now you
can go to the stables and wait there till
| call you"
1t was the innkeeper. He surveyed
me for a moment and scratched his
| chin.
evil herr keep perfectly quiet if l
take the. handkerchief from his
| mouth?' he asked. l nodded, bewil-
| dered.
'What in tophet does this mean?' l
asked. l did not say tophet, but it
looks better in writing
1T means nothing and everything"
| was the answer. ''In the first place,
| herr will fight no duel. The man with
whom you were to fight was sent on an
errand to this out of the way place as
| punishment for his dueling at the
| capital. l know him by reputation.
He is brawler, but fair swords
man. He would halve you as would
prior claim on him. If there is any
thing left of Herr Lieutenant at the
end of the fray, you are welcome to it.
Yes; there will be duel, but you will
not be one of the principals. It is all
arranged"
But l do not understand" cried.
ut is not necessary that you should"
He laughed and rubbed his hands in
pleasurable anticipation. There is
young man down stairs who arrived a
few moments before the lieutenant.
He has special affair. There were
words. Herr Lieutenant is mad enough
to fight whole company"
'Then why in heavens name am
up here in this condition." l cried.
LET me go and be the young mans
second, though l can't for the life of
! me see where he has come from so sud-
denly and l might say OPPORTUNITY.
Come, cut me loose"
1T is too late"
'"Too late"
eyes. Herr Lieutenant has been FL
formed that you ran away" -
Ran awayv' roared. "You told
him that ran away? Curse your inso-
lence! I'll break every bone in your
body for this!" cried, straining at the
ropes.
1.-THE ropes are new" said he. you'll
hurt yourself" &c.,.
"You told him that l ran awayY
I his was too much.
Eyes. All, but you will be surprised.
The duel win last five minutes. Herr
Lieutenant WITH thrust. The thrust will
be parried. He will feint; useless
Thrust on thrust, parry on parry. Con-
sternation will take the place Of conf
dence. He will grow nervous. He
will try all his little tricks, and they
will fail. Then his eyes will roll and
his breath come in gasps. Suddenly he
thinks he sees an opening. He lunges.
Ach. the fool, it is all overw The old
mans voice quivered with excitement.
He had passed his time in the barracks
and had seen many a sword skirmish.
"Well, are you going to take off these
ropes?"
"No. You would break every bone in
my body"
groaned IN evaporation.
"You will soon be out of BREATH"
Oh, could have but loosened those
cords! -
"Stahlberg, who left the service a
| year ago, will act in the capacity of
second" Stahlberg was at the head of
| the vineyard. 81 shall watch the af-
| fair from the window here. The scene
of action will take place in the clearing
beyond. 1t will be an affair worth wit
| Messing"
| "And where is Gretchenw
"Where she should beat the bar, q
dutiful barmaid." Then l heard moth