Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-11-07
lance and embossed shie1d-the differ

ence, indeed, was great.
Perhaps it was. the light and heat of
imagination shining out through Alice's
face which gave her beauty such a fas-
chatting power. Rene saw it and felt
its electrical stroke send sweet shiver
through his heart while he stood before
her.
''You are very beautiful tonight,
Alice" he presently said, with a sud-
denness which took even her alertness
by surprise. A flush rose to his dark
face and Immediately gave way to a
grayish pallor. His heart came near
stopping on the instant, he was so
shocked by his own daring, but he laid
hand on her hair, stroking it softly.
Just a moment she was at loss,
looking a trifle embarrassed; then,
with a merry laugh, she stepped aside
and said:
THAT sounds better, NJ. Rene de
Ronville; much better. You will be as
polite as Father Beret after little
more training"
She slipped past him while speak
ing and made her way back again to
the main room, whence she called to
him:
"Come here. I've something to show
you"
he obeyed, sheepish trace on his
countenance betraying his self con-
seriousness.
When he came near Alice, she was
taking from it's buckhorn hook on the
wall rapier, one Of a beautiful pair
hanging side by side,
Papa Roussillon gave me these" she
said, with great animation HE bought
them of an Indian who had kept them
them he would not tell. But look, how
beautiful! Did you ever see anything
SO f1ne?"
Guard and hilt were Of silver; the
blade, although somewhat corroded,
still showed the fine, wavy lines Of
Damascus steel and traces of delicate
engraving, while in the end of the
hilt was set large oval turquoise.
"A very queer present to give a
girl," said Rene. what can you do
with them?'
A captivating fash of playfulness
came into her face and she sprang
backward, giving the sword semi
circular turn with her wrist The
blade sent forth a keen hiss as it cut
the air close, very close to Rene's nose
He terked his head and flung up his
hand.
She laughed merrily, standing beauti-
fully poised before him, the rapier's
point slightly elevated. Her short skirt
left her feet and ankles free to show
their graceful proportions and the per-
feet pose in which they held her supple
body.
"You see what I can do with the
colechemarde, eh, NJ. Rene de Ron
vile" she exclaimed, giving him a
smile which fairly blinded him. mo
t1ce how very near to your neck 1 can
thrust and yet not touch it. Now!'
She darted the keen point under his
chin and drew it away 50 quickly that
the stroke was like a CLINT of sun
light.
"What do you think of that as nice
and accurate piece of skill?"
She again resumed her pose, the
right foot advanced, the left arm we'll
back, her lissome, finely developed
body leaning slightly forward.
Rene's hands were up before his face
in defensive position, palms outward.
Just then chorus Of mems voices
sounded in the distance The river
house was beginning it's carousal with
a song. Alice let fall her swords point
and listened.
Rene looked about for his cap.
Il must be going" he said.
Another and louder swish Of the
rapier made him pirouette and dodge
again with great energy.
'Don't," he cried, that's dangerous.
You'll put out my eyes. never saw
such a girl!'
She laughed at him and kept on whip
ping the air dangerously near his eyes
until she had driven him backward
as far as he could squeeze himself into
a corner of the room.
0nrInGAsA -,