The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-04-12
By Harold MaCGrath -
Continued from last week)


The leaves rustled and purred against
the caves. AS the branches moved so
did the light and darkness move over
the innkeeper's visage. He was silent
and medtative.
''An epic?" | said
San epic"
''Innkeeper," said l, IF | give you
my word Of honor not to modest you or
leave this room will you let me be
witness?'
He passed into the gloom, then back
into the light. This is no trick 2" sus-
piciously. Il have a deal Of regard for
my old bones, old as they are"
ION my honor"
well, I'll do it. 1t is IN the blood Of
us all. But false move on your part
and | promise you that this knife shall
find resting place in you"
He cut the ropes. and was free
But my arms ached. The two of us
took our stand by the window and
waited for the principals in the drama
about to be enacted in the clearing. l
confess that my conscience was i'll at
ease. Why knew not. | was dread
ing something, ! knew not what. The
innkeeper's hand trembled on my arm.
Ssh! They come" he whispered.
AS looked beyond his finger l saw
four figures advance over the sward.
One of them, q slight boyish form, was
new to me. The fellow walked briskly
along at the side Of Stahlberg, who
was built on the plan Of Hercules.
When they came to the clearing, they
stopped. The seconds went through
the usual formalities Of testing the
temper Of the swords. Somehow |
could not keep my eyes off the young
ster who was going TO do battle with
the veteran, and | could not help Won
dering where in the world he had come
from and why in the world he had
chosen this place to settle his dispute
in. There were plenty Of convenient
places in the village in and around the
barracks. He took his position, back to
me, so | could not tell what he was
like. The moon shone squarely in the
lieutenants face, upon which was an
expression of contempt mingled with
confidence. My heart thumped, for /
had never seen a duel before.
Il do not know where you came
FROM" | heard the lieutenant say, but
you managed nicely to pick a quarrel.
1t is all on your own head. 1t is too
bad that cur Of an Englishman had to
run away"
The innkeeper's knife was so close
that / could feel the point of it against
my ribs. So | gave up the wild idea Of
yelling from the window that | hadn't
run away. The lieutenant's opponent
shrugged. He placed himself on guard
That was his reply. Suddenly the two
sprang forward, and the clash Of
swords followed. | could not keep
track Of the weapons, but | could see
that the youngster was holding his
own amazingly well. Neither was
touched the first bout.
1.-TWO minutes" murmured the old
rascal ut my side. ut will be over this
time"
"You seem to have a good deal Of
confidence in your man." said |.
"There is not a finer swords-swords-
man in the kingdom, or on the CONT
Dent for that matter. There, they are
at it again.
Step by step the lieutenant gave
ground. The clashng had stopped. 1t
was needlelike work now. Gradually
they began to turn around. The blades
flashed in the moonShine like heat
lightning. My pulse attuned itself to
every stroke. | heard a laugh. 1t was
me a laugh / had heard before Evil
IDENTIFY the youngster was PLAYING with
the veteran. | became fascinated. And
while the innkeeper and | watched a
curious thing happened. Something
seemed to be slipping from the young
ster's head. He tried to put up his free
hand. but the lieutenant was making
furious passes. flood of something
dimly yellow suddenly fell about the
lads shoulders. oh, then | knew! With
q snarl of rage took the innkeeper by
the throat and hurled him, knife and
all, to the floor, dashed from the room,
thence to the stairs, down which
leaped four at time. Quick as was,
l was too late. The lieutenant's sword
lay on the grass, and he was clasping
his shoulder with the sweat of agony
on his brow.
"A woman he groaned. "a wom-
anr Then he tottered and fell in the
arms of his subordinate. He had faint
ed.
This will make pretty story
cried the young officer as he laid his
superior lengthwise and tried to
stanch the flow Of blood. Here's q
man who runs away and lets woman
God knows what sort-fght his duels
for him. the cur!'
never looked at him, but went
straight to Gretchen. Stahlberg gave
me a questioning glance and made a
move as though to step between.
"Stand aside, man. | snapped.
"Gretchen, you have dishonored me-"
ut were better than to bury you.
lightly II assure you he caused me no
little exertion."
Yet her voice shook, and she shud-