The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-05-03
AN AMERICAN GIRLS
 DEFENSE OF HER RIGHTS
EorIEinall

in the past decade or two that foreign men in power have chosen American wives. Before that foreigners or rank rarely married Americans, and then IL was for love only. The following s'o- " narrates a case in point:
 A fuu moon shone on O field near Berlin. A young man in the uniform of lieutenant of artillery in the Prus- slan army was standing In the shadow of tree, waiting. A carriage stopped in the road. from which alghted two women. One held back. The other went on till she came face to face with the man. "What absurdity is this. Marionf Could you not have sent me what l have asked instead of insisting on de- hvering 1t yourself in this ridiculous fashionr
 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 rvine another, you ask for your re- lease. have brought with mo In writ ing all that you can desire, release exonerating you from any blame what eyer. But tell me. count, you whose military code compels you to light with men at the slightest provocahon, now eau you expect to take up and cast aside n woman without being called to accOuntT'
 "Nlarlon. your ways in America are not our ways. Here we owe duty 70 family. to the state. There matches nre made in a different way. Do not prolong the distress all this gives me asked for the release against my in- cllnatlon six months ago. You have nut me on from month to month and at last appoint a meeting here by moonlight to grant my request Arc all Americans SO romantlc%
 "Pardon me, count. for the delay-a delay which has been necessary In or der to accede to your German customs or. rather. that our American methods may harmonlze with them. Your treat ment of me I consider Rn Insult In Germany it Is the custom to give satis- 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 hapdle a sword"
 "Great heavens. Marion, what can you meany
 q win show you"
 Dropping her cloak to the ground. she stood before him in gymnasium l,.,,S aSSlTe f, German duels.
 ''There. count" continued the girl throwing on the grass before him a paper. ''is your release. and there." handing hlm a sword. Ifs 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. "MarlonT he exclaimed.
 'Take your weapOn~
 "Neyer!
 'CowardT
 A flush came to the mans cheek.
 "l will go through the form" he said, "and if do not succeed in parrying your blows 1 shall be the victim. will not harm you"
 With this he seized the sword.
 It was not long before the count found that ln order to parry the girls thrusts he must exercise all his skill. Indeed his anguish at such a situation sapped his nerve. Twice he exposed his heart. but neither time did his ad- versary take advantage of the oppor. tunity. Both blades were flashing sll- yer in 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 lunged too far and, missing the arm, ran her sword Into his breast.
 "Thank heaven" he exclaimed, low. erlng his blade. ''this business is end. cd! You have drawn blood. That should satisfy you"
 When the fair fencer saw a red stream trickllng down her opponents vest, Der 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 prasa ond 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- tce have put upon You. Love shall In future be my sole guide. Take back your release"
 'No; your career will be bllghted."
 'T sacrifice 1t to that which is more desirable"
 "The king will withdraw bis favor." 'T shall take refuge ln the love Of my wife"
 "Your family will not receive me-" "My family will receive whom I dl. rect. am It's head"
 A few weeks later all Berlin was talking of the young nobleman who had given up the advancement promis- cd him and a brilliant career to marry a utleless and pennyless American girl When the Franco-P -Prusslan WIT