The Iola register., 1902-08-08
THE SPUR
OF FATE
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BY Ashley Towne
Copyright, 1901, by
Charles d. Etherington.

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He waved his hand in the direction
OF the crowd, which rewarded him
with cheers and laughter. The band
master turned an eye upon the colonel
of the regiment, who had wheeled his
horse In that direction. lie was man
of Joyinl aspect. and he seemed to be
somewhat the worse for liquor. Oar
rell Judged him to be not averse to this
comedy and was not deceived when
the officer, with great nffectatlon of
wrath, waved his naked sword over the
pper's head and then brought 1t down
with wide sweep to light. flatwlsc, on
the Offenders back. 1t was not n very
safe trick, for the Circassian swords
are sharp as razors.
Upon my word" exclaimed the Off
Ger, observing that Darrell did not even
wink, "you don't scare casilyw
81 haven't sense enough" responded
Darrell. "Only the wise are afraid ;
the others are soldiers"
'You mean that soldiers are fools? ?"
demanded the officer grasping this
simple Jest with some difficulty and
uncertain whether lie had got the right
of 1t.
'Not those that wear swords" re-
sponded Darrell. at is wise 10 order
other men to fight: the folly is in obey
Ing. And, by the way, that is very
fine sword of yours"
"What do you know about swords
madman?" demanded the officer.
"More than yourself" replied Darrell,
"bcgglng your cXccllcncy's pardon, for
j can do something with sword that
you can't"
"You are n boastcrw cried the colonel,
raising his weapon.
II will prove my words" answered
Darrell "Can you play tune upon Il
swordT
mo; nor any other man." rctortcd
the colonel.
II can play upon n sword rs well as
on this pipe" answered Darrell "If
you don't believe me, lend me yours"
This cool proposition excited laughter
among the spectators who were near
enough to hear it and also considerable
interest, for it seemed that the madman
really meant to execute some trick.
81 can't spare it," said the colonel
curtly.
"Ths, then, will answer" rejoined
Darrell, and, with movement swift as
conjuring, he snatched n sword from
the scabbard of a captain who had ad
vanced as If with some message for his
superior.
The man, utterly amazed and perhaps
alarmed, started back, and before hC
had recovered himself Darrell had
raised the sword TO his lips in the man
ner of flute ana was piping in n way
that might have amazed n higher type
of audience. The colonel restrained tho
enraged captain with n gesture and lis
tened with a drunken wonder that, II
less desperate circumstances woulC
have afforded Darrell much amuse
ment
Suddenly the wretched prisoner
swinging by the rope, uttered his frs
cry, a long and pitiable scream. 1t was
what might have been foroseen; in
deed, Darrell had expected it earlier
He turned, with an atGectatlon o.
wrath.
II can't be interrupted in thLS way"
he cried, springing toward the tor
tured man.
1t is probable that every one expected
to see the supposed maniac still Kew
skis cry by plunglng the sword int
his body. The colonel had time to cal
out:
"Don't strike! Upon your own life
And then. before his horse could re
spond to the spurs, he saw the cra2et
musician leap up and sever with blov
the rope by which Kevski was sus