Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-01
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
An American Girls
Defense of Her Rights
IOriginal.l


men in power have chosen American
wives. Before that foreigners of I=lnk
rarely married Americans. and tlien it
was for love only. The following stO-
ny narrates case in point:
\ full moon Shone on field near
Berlin. \ young man in the uniform
of lieutenant of artillery in the Prus-
sian army was standing in the shadow
of tree. waiting. \ carriage stopped
in the road. from which alighted two
women One held back. The other
went on till she came face to face with
the man.
What absurdity is this. Marion?
Could you not have sent me what 1
have asked instead Of insisting on de-
livering it yourself in this ridiculous
fashion,
Count" said the woman, "you can
not expect to play your own game
with an American girl without paying
the penalty. You sought me. not you.
and offered me your love and your
hand. Finding that your ambitious
schemes might be better served by mar
rying another. you ask for your re-
lease l have brought with me in writ
ing all that you can desire, release.
generating you from any blame what
ever. But tell me. count, you whose
military code compels You to fight With
men at the slightest provocation. how
can you expect to take up and cast
aside a woman without being called to
account:"
Marion. your ways in America are
not our ways. Here we owe duty TO
family. TO the state. There matches
are made in Il different way. Do not
prolong the distress all this gives me.
I asked for the release against my in
clination six months ago. You have
put me OFF from month TO month and
at last appoint n meeting here by
moonlight TO grant my request Are
all Americans SO rOmantic%'
Pardon me. count, for the delay-a
delay which has been necessary in or
der to acccde to your German customs
or. rather. that our American methods
may harmonic with them. Your treat
ment of me l consider an insult. III
Germany il is the custom TO give salts
faction for insults. Having no male
relatives to fight for me. it is necessary
that / fight for myself. You would
hardly expect me. count. TO fence with
you without training. The time passed
since you made your request has been
spent in learning how to handle
sword"
you mean:"
Il will show YOU
Dropping her cloak 10 the ground, she
stood before him in gymnasium attire.
Calling to the woman who had remain
I Il
ing two swords such as are used in
German duels.
There, count" continued the girl.
throwing on the grass before him a
paper. lis your release, and there"
handing him Il sword, lis something to
protect you against the consequences
of your asking a woman's love, then
turning it aside as undesirable"
The count looked at the girl in amaze
ment. MARRIOTT" he exclaimed.
Take your weapon
"Neverr'
Coward
\ flush came to the mans cheek.
Il will go through the FORM" he said,
''and if / do lOt succeed in parrying
your blows l shall be the victim. 1
will not harm YOU
With this he seized the sword.
1t was not long before the count
found that in order to parry the girls
TRUSTS he must exercise all his skill.
Indeed his anguish at such situation
sapped his nerve. Twice he exposed
his heart. but neither time did his adj
versary take advantage of the oppor-
tunity. Both blades were flashing sill
YER i'm the moonlight, the girl endeavor-
ing to prick the man. he aiming only
to protect himself. Finally, thinking
to touch his arm lightly with her
point, she luuged too far and, missing
the arm, ran her sword into his
breast.
THANK heaven" ne exclaimed. low
ering his blade, "this business is end
ed, You have drawn blood. That
should satisfy you"
When the fair fencer saw red
stream trickling down her opponents
vest. her sword-dropped from her hand
and she fell swooning into his arms.
Her maid came up and. taking her
from him, laid her on the grass and,
satisfying herself that she was not
hurt, stanched the blood in the counts
wound. When the girl came out OF
her swoon, she saw his pale face paler
in the moonlight. bending over her
Sweetheart. you have been avenged.
You have opened my eyes to the injus-
tice ! have put upon you. Love shall
i'm future be my sole guide. Take
back your release"
mo: your career will be blighted."
81 sacrifice it TO that which is more
desirable"
The king will withdraw his favor
81 shall take refuge in the love OF
my wife"
''Your family will net receive me-"
MY family will receive whom I d.
rect. am it's head"
A few weeks later all Berlin was
talking OF the young nobleman who |
had given up the advancement promis- |
ed him and G brilliant career TO nlArrv |