The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-02-28

shaking OF the hand which the count
had placed upon his shoulder. "Decid-
edly this fellow is worth consideration.
Since we have no swords, sir, and they
seem to be woman's weapons these
days, we will use pistols. OF course,
you have come prepared. 1t Is fine
time for shooting. This first light Of
twilight gives us equal advantage. Will
it be at 10 or 20 PAGES? dare say, IL
we stand at 20 In the center Of the road,
we shall have good look at each other
before we separate Indefinitely"
"Your highness insistsT murmured
the count. n. a..~.. &c.,.
II not only insist; command" The
prince took off his coat and waistcoat
and deposited them ON the grass at the
side Of the road. Hillars did likewise.
There was a pleased expression on his
face. II do believe, count" laughed
the prince, this fellow expects to kill
me. Now the pistols"
'If you will permit me-" said the inn
keeper. taking an oblong box from I'M
der his coat. 'These are excellent
weapons"
The prince laughed. II suppose, Inn
keeper, if the result Is disastrous to me
it will please your
The innkeeper was not lacking in
courtesy. ut would be a pleasure,
assure you. There are certain reasons
why cannot fight you myself"
ITO be sure"
at would be too much like murder"
continued the innkeeper. "Yeur hand
would tremble so that you would miss
me at point blank. There goes the last
Of the sun. We must hurry"
With a grimace the count accepted
the box and took out the pistols.
"They are old fashioned" he said.
"a deal like the innkeeper's morals"
supplemented the prince.
"But effective" said the innkeeper.
The count scowled at the old fellow,
who met the look with phlegm. AS an
innkeeper he might be an inferior, but
as q second at a duel he was an equal.
1t was altogether a different matter.
The count carefully loaded the weap-
tentively. In his turn he examined
them.
Every good" he said.
! The PAGES were then measured out.
During this labor the prince gazed in
differently toward the west. The aft
ermath of the sun glowed on the hori-
ION. The prince shaded his eyes for q
spell.
"Gentlemen." he said. II believe the
princess is approaching. At any rate,
here comes the coach. Let us suspend
hostilities tin she has passed"
A few minutes later the coach came
rumbling along in a whirlwind Of dust.
The stoical cavalrymen kept on with
out so much as glance at the quartet
standing at the side of the road. Hill
lars looked after the vehicle till 1t was
obscured from view. Then he shook
himself out of the dream into which
he had fallen. He was pale now, and
his eyebrows were drawn together as
the count held out the pistol.
"Ah. yes!" he said as though he had
forgotten. There goes the woman
who will never become your wife,
THAT shall be decided at once" was
IQe reiDrI OF the prince.
'.She will marry the gentleman back
at the inn"
"A fine husband he will make, truly!'
replied the prince. 'He not only de-
serts her, but forsakes her champion.
But that is neither here nor there. We
shall not 60 through any polite formal
fties," his eyes swapping vieiously.
The two combatants took their
places in the center of the road. The
pistol arm Of each hung at the side Of
the body.
"Are you ready, gentlemen?' asked
the count. the barest tremor In his
voice.
EYES," said the prince. Hillars sim
ply nodded.
when have counted three, you
will be at liberty to fire. Onew
The arms raised slowly till the pis-
tolls were on the level of the eyes.
"Two-'
The innkeeper saw Hillars move his
lips. That was the only sign.
'"Threev'
The pistols exploded simultaneously.
The right arm of the prince swung
back violently. the smoking pistol fly.
ing from his hand. Suddenly one of
the horses gave a snort of pain and
terror and bolted down the road. No
attention was given to the horse. The
others were watching Hillars. He
stood perfectly motionless. All at once
the pistol fell from his hand. Then
both hands few instinctively to bis
breast. There was an expression Of
surprise on his face. His eyes closed
his knees bent forward and he sank
into the road huddled heap. The
prince shrugged, sigh Of relief fell
: from the counts half parted lips, while
the innkeeper ran toward the fallen
man.
"Are you hurt, prince?" asked the
count.
1.-THE cursed fool has blown off my
elbowv' was the answer. Bind it VI
with your handkerchief and help me
on with my coat. There is nothing
more to do If he is not dead, be soor
will be, so it's all the same"
When the princes arm was sufh
GENTLY .bandaged SO as to stop the flow
of blood, the count assisted him tt
mount, jumped on his own horse ant