Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-11-04
Won by the
Sword - -
By JOHN DICKINSON SHERMAN.
Copyrighted By Daily story Pub. Co.,

Copyrighted by Daily Story Pub. Coz
MARK you, Francis Beauclerc!"
Wl said Sir Charles Anthony, join
ing me as l sat moodily drinking alone
in the White Horse inn, and thrusting
close to mine his wicked, handsome
face, "You are an evil Casa younger
son crowded out of your brothers
house; no chance for preferment at
court; no means of livelihood; at the
end of your resources"
Here he drew out a score of gold
pieces and jingled them right musical
ly. l eyed him askance, for I hated
the man. And presently he went on:
"Bethink you how many bottles of
noble wine, how many nights of gam
ing with dice and cards, what gener-
Gus meals and goodly raiment lie in
these golden coins. And therefore I
think You are the man for my work."
what is your work." asked, keep
ing my temper in check.
"Iounds!n he cried, with an evil
laugh. "'Tis like a play. With half
dozen of my DULLES you stop carriage
In which rides pretty maid I hold
most dear. You make play at alb
duction with much noise and clashing
OF steel and stage business. Then
come to the rescue. We cross swords,
you fall, and I carry off the maid in
triumph, her rescuer and protector"
"You have forgotten my temper in
your catalogue of my failings, Sir
Charles Anthony" said, rising. 81 will
play no villain in any plot of yours.
But as to crossing swords" Here
1 laid my hand on my hilt and bowed
to him.
With that Sir Charles sprang up also
with fury in his face, and while one
might count two score, we stared in
each others eyes. Twice his hand
stole to his belt as if he would draw
steel, but in the end my gaze mas
tered his and scowling evily he turned
his back and strobe from the house.
A woman's scream reused me from
my thoughts as strobe up the mar
row side street that led to my humble
lodgings. 1t seemed to come from an
alley close at hand, yet when !
searched its depths with eyes and ears
it was as silent as the grave. Twas a
dark hole and prudence whispered ia
let the adventure pass. Yet knew,
though I knew not how I knew, that
1t was good woman who had
screamed and no creature of the
streets. So, with drawn sword, tip
toed into the darkness till I saw a
futter of white against the wall.
''Who cries for help?" said, loudly,
stepping forward.
ut concerns you not" answered q
surly voice, and dark figure came
boldly out. 'Be gone and mind your
own affairs"
sWhat have you here?" 1 asked,
pressing forward. But the man barred
my way, threatening to spit me on his
blade. Loath to use the steel till
saw further into the matter, caught
him by the wrist as he raised his arm
and with twist and a trip sent him
sprawling, and slipped past him into
the turn of the alley. Here twas
dark as a pocket and could see moth.
ing. But as felt about my hand
closed on the soft, flimsy stuff of 9
woman's gown, and under it was Q
woman's breast-a girls.
"Ha!" cried, "'Tis some wench YOU
are misusing."
"You mistake" said civil voice
from behipd tho nr;rJ ssrr;e ,,o,,,,
sister, who will out o. nights, and w.
but take her home"
81 tell you again you are meddlins
in a private matter" broke in the frs
mans voice. "'Tis for the girls good
and we have authority. Stay longer
at your peril"
was half convinced and was on tn,
point of withdrawing with an cas-,
conscience when the girl caught m,
hand and carried it to her face. Sh,
was gagged.
"You knaves!" cried, tearing loos,
the scarf from her mouth. "Who il
this yon have gagged?"
With an oath the man behind til,
girl stepped out and ran toward tn
street crying for lanthern and blow
ing whistle shrilly. Grasping tn
| girl by the. arm I dashed forward
thrusting ahead of me as went. Hal
way out my point took something sof
that cried out and fell. At the alley
mouth ] could see better and here
dark figure rushed on me fiercely.
spitted him like lark and he wen
down in heap.
| In the street / thought to have clea
way, but the whistle brought thre
or four men who set upon me wit
swords Calling to the girl to run flo
her life I faced about briskly to NEE
their attack. But she would not, an
went back with me against a wa
where they pressed me hard. Two
pinked SO that they drew out wit
groans and curses, but one Of til
others got in shrewdly on my lef
shoulder. was in evil case when tn
girl cried in my ear that there was
door at our backs. With a shout
sprang out and drove them back
step, then turning, ran after her within
the door and bolted and barred it /,
their faces.
Within was utter darkness, and w
felt our way along through mario,
passage till we reached room witt
window that gave us a bit of tn
moon. There was door, but it wa
fast on the other side, and the wiz
dow was heavily barred. Plainly w
could go no further, unless we coul
raiss the houAs. z-rsppsd with ~