The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-09
''Now for the old boathouse

Ave, duucu Odl1lOuOll. 11CI to
have this business done, for I would
be back to dinner. I dine with Olga
today, and d fair maiden awaits my
coming"
Notice him not, whispered or-
sa, who walked close by Ruric's side.
s'That is one of his chief points
when engaged in an affair of this
kind. He hopes to get you angry
and so unhinge your nerves"
ssNcver fear" returned the gun
maker. sSBe sure he only brings
new danger to himself, for such ef-
forts will find their point in the
muscle Of my arm"
The party halted when they
reached the interior of the rough
structure, and the count threw off
his pelisse and drew his sword. Ru-
ric followed his example.
"Sir count" the latter said as he
moved step forward, "ere we COM
mence this work l wish all present
to understand distinctly how |
stand. You have sought this quar-
rel from the. first. Without the least
provocation from me you have in
suited me most grossly, and this is
the climax So, before God and
man. be the result upon your oWn
head"
"Out, lying knave"-
"Hold,' cried the surgeon, laying
his hand heavily upon the counts
arm. you have no right to speak
thus, for you lower yourself when
you do it. If you have come to fight,
do so honorably."
An angry reply was upon Damo-
noff's lips, but he did not speak it.
He turned to his antagonist and
said:
ssWill you measure weapons, sir?
Mine may be a mite the longest. !
seek no advantage, and have one
here of the same length and weight
as my own if you wish it."
81 am well satisfied as it is re-
piled Ruric
tsThen take your ground. Are you
ready ?'
II amp
TIE two swords we're crossed in
an instant, with clear, sharp clang
There was some contrast between
the two combatants, but not much
apparently. The count was little
the taller, and Ruric was somewhat
heavier. But to a close observer
there Was a peculiar contrast in The
bearing of the two men. That
breast swelling out so noblv and
those massive shoulders, made for
the seat Of physical power, were Ru-
RIGS alone to possess. Yet Conrad
Damonoif was accounted strong
man. In the athletic sports of the
court club he had few superiors and
not many equals. But Ruric Newell
had never shown his strength there.
Now, for the first time, that con-
temptuous look passed from the
counts face. AS his eye caught his
antagonists position, as he motto
ed the calm. dignifed, quiet ease
of every limb and as he caught the
deep, mystic fire of those expressive
eyes he knew that he had no COM
mon amateur to deal with.
At length Conrad Damonoff start
ed back, and a quick cry escaped his
lips. His antagonists point had
touched his bosom. 1t had pressed
against his heart and had not been
driven home. Well he knew that his
life was his no longer, for the gun
maker had gained it and spared it.
"You fence we'll" he gasped,
struggling to regain his composure.
You are not novice" returned
Rurlc calmly, at the same Time al-
lowing his point to drop.
"Come on" the count uttered,
now gathering all his energies for
another effort.
And again the weapons were
crossed. This time Damonof was
more guarded. Before he had been
impelled by his own assurance, but
now he was forced to regard his op-
ponent's power. Ruric quickly
found that the other was more care
full than at first, and he carried his
own point accordingly. At the
twelfth stroke the count made
feint to the left, then at the throat.
and then, with a quick, lightning
like motion, he brought his point to
his antagonists heart. But his
meaning had been read from the
first by Ruric. The youth caught
the motion of the eye, and he saw
that his heart was the place looked
o1,nOct