The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1902-06-07

stood. 1t was Monsieur Montigney.
Moved by . forsboding Of Ill. stole
nearer. The Frenchman held couple
of light rapiers in his hands. He went
quickly up to my master and touched
him on the shoulder. My lord turned
with an exclamation of surprise. The
Frenchman's face was white as death
in the light of the moon. He began
to speak, in slow, distinct way,
and I could hear every word.
"You told me your story once, my
lord" he said, now will tell you
mine. You loved Madeion Deschap-
pelles; so did !. All, you may well
start. I have sought you out and
won your confidence for purpose.
do not acknowledge any dlshonor
attached to this. You deceived her
and broke her heart; for her sake I
have played you false. You did not
tell me all of your story, but I know
It all-from her. And I have sworn
to avenge her. This night, two years
ago, you left her, with what vows
you know. In this hour you or I
shall Vie. I have seen you use the
foils; have fenced with you. We
are well matched. Defend YOURSELF"
My master had not uttered q word.
He took the sword and slow smile
lit his face. do not think, in that
hour death held any terror for him,
his life had become of so little mo-
ment to him. 1t was strange
scene; the grove of arching trees,
the soft moonlight; there the glanc-
ing river, here the two men, face to
face, their coats thrown on the
ground, heads barred, standing with
swords in position. Then there was
a clash Of steel and they fought. My
heart stood still as I watched them.
1 had seen them fence many times
before, and, as the yFrenchman had
said, they were well matched. But
this was different-that was play,
this was real. Back and forth, back
and forth across the grass they
moved. Even above the ripple of the
steel could hear their heavy breath
ing. AS 1 watched them, it seemed
to me my master was gaining the
advantage of his adversary, when on
a sudden, the Frenchman's weapon
leaped out like thing of life. After
that it was easily seen that my mas
ter was in Mortigney's power.
think my lord knew it too. He
looked surprised when the man
showed his real skill. and set his lips
grimly. and fought doggedly, as a
man will, in the face Of death, even
though 1t be plain that in the end he
must fall. Suddenly the Frenchman
laughed, and, in another moment, my
master stood defenseless, disarmed.
Montigney set his foot on the fallen
sword, and. for the space Of mo-
ment, they stood facing one another
still, breathless. Then I saw the
Frenchman lift his hand to his head
and drop something to the ground. I
heard my master cry out, and then
Montigney made q step forward and
ran his adversary through the body.
Sir Lionel fell backward like log.
I sprang up, Infatuated at the cow
ardly turn things had taken, but,
before I could move forward, the
Frenchman had placed the point Of
the rapier against his own heart and
thrown himself upon it. He fell
prone beside the body of Sir Lionel.
As bent over my master saw his
ey elids flicker. There was still q
little life left in his body and his
bloodless lips were smiling.
AS I leaned over him the eyes
opened for an instant. "Madeloni"
he whispered. Then he died.
The Frenchman had fallen face
downwards. In my grief I had
scarcely noticed him. Now raised
one of his hands: it was cold. He
was quite dead.
At first thought it was beard.
less boy, but as I looked upon the
beautiful dead face, saw again the
old, sweet smile of Madelon Des.
chappelles. Beside her, on the grass
lay the wig, the little waxed mus.
tachlos. and the pointed beard OF
Monsieur Neutrality-suspicious. and
Country.