The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-04-03

Rogers renewed his acquaintance
with young Mayne, and exchanged
salutations.
Il assume that we had bes5 pro-
ceed," said Roger, coldly.
The sooner the better, - said young
Mayne, drawing.
The two men were placed at Is
| PAGES, and Roger gave the word.
Watts Dunstanton fell instantly.
Now here-one would have thought
was the worst luck in the world
for man like Roger, who had come
into the field much against his will,
being more intent on love than fight
ing. For the physicians wagged their
heads together over the fallen man,
and were of opinion that the wound
would prove mortal-which meant i'm
mediate flight for those concerned,
seeing that even to abet a duel was
against the law, and to fly meant to
miss half-prOmised tryst. But
worse was to come. Young Mayne,
disdainful as ever, must needs let
fall some disparaging remarks.
He will not cheat at cards again"
was what he said.
Sir" said Roger, anrrily.
Or need to be taught manners by
an honorable man." went on Mayne.
DO you speak of my cousin?" de-
manded Roger.
You have the misfortune to be re-
lated, [ believe" said Mayne, and at
that Roger struck him on the mouth.
For moment the dandy was moved
from his self-possession. Then he
recovered himself and turned with
smile to his father.
Sir" he said, there is a second
case of pistols?"
But no witnesses, Dick" said Sir
Harry, anXiously.
THAT is nothing-Mr. Dunstan, on"
Che bowed courteously to Roger)
will, am sure, accept your services,
and DR.. Brown will do his best for
re"
Roger returned the bow, and ex-
pressed the belief that there was no
time like the present. DR.. Brown,
who showd no great enthusiasm for
his new role, was crushed into ac-
quiescence by the remark that never
in Mr.. Richard Mayne's experience
had a physician shown himself averse
from becoming-though it were but
for mOment-a gentleman. There
was no cast for priority of killing
this time, for that is a fneness in
vented by older and colder blood.
and Mr.. Mayne, for all his calmness,
was boiling.
Roger as he stood there in the wet
grass (for the sun was higher now
and the frost falling), cursed the i'll
luck that had followed on the
masquerade. The pleasure of his
dreams was vanishing, and he was
listening to the fatal count. Quite
dimly he could see his opponent
standing easily in his place, still
smiling-One! two! three! Sir Harry
dropped a handkerchief, and both
fired together! Dunstanton saw some
one lying still in the wet grass, and
it was not himself. He stared about
him uncertainty.
THAT is quits" he said
THAT is my son." said Sir Harry.
81 regret it," Roger began to STAN
mer. Il regret it exceedingly; but
you will admit
81 will admit" broke in Sir Harry,
hoarsely. that I cannot, for lack Of
decent witnesses, call upon you to
stand ~ H,,4
God, sir, there will be no crying of
quits by me until at last l have put
a bullet in your heart!"
Gentlemen! gentlemen" cried DR..
Brown, imploringly. ALREADY one
man is wounded and another killed!
l beseech you, leave the field now!"
Mr.. Dunstanton, you must fly! And
you, Sir Harry"
81 remain said the latter.
Then let me ask you to go at
once" said the doctor, turning again
to Dunstanton. 81 will attend your
cousin to the nearest house, and nv
colleague will remain with him. But
blood is hot, sir. Sir Harry is a IA
Their"
Eyes! yes!" said Danstanton, 81 am
going"
He left the field, and found his
cousins cart waiting. He told the
man to drive him to his lodgings.
He scarcely believed that he would
ever receive the half-promised letter,
since his luck had deserted him.
The road seemed interminable, though
they drove almost as quickly as when
going. At last they arrived, and his
own man answered the knock.
"There is no news, Stocks, l sup
pose?' he asked.
only a letter, sir"
Dunstanton took it eagerly, and
broke the seal. 1t was written an
agrammatically and ran thus:
"Since that a Certain beau did with
Eminent Importantly desire to Learn
what might be Indeed her name, who
AS masque only Mispossessed his
wits, Apprehend the same, reading
Your puzzle by the Number four unto
. the End"
For moment he was content to
know that he had held the secret in