The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-01-22

DO, however, consider 1t just that /
should here ask pardon for placing
such grave responsibilities upon him
and also for keeping secret from him
the fact that have done 500
The will was drawn and executed Inn
mediately before Pendleton departed
for Mexico, and only the lawyer who
drew it and Pendleton himself were
aware Of it's contents. Inasmuch as
Burr Pendleton had no near relatives,
the will was probated without objec-
ton, and Craig Wyndham found him
self suddenly very rich man.
In the meantime he met Escudera
frequently at the club, on the street
and in divers places. Indeed it seemed
to him that it was the intention of the
Mexican to throw himself constantly
in his way, but between them on the
occasion of such meetings there was
always exhibited the utmost cordiality.
Escudera retained his quasi member
ship in the club, and always Wyndham
watched him furtively while he await
ed replies to certain inquiries he had
sent out to Mexico and to other places.
1t seemed to him that Escudera had
the air Of one who was killing time as
best he could while he awaits the hap
pening of some expected event. but
what that event might be Wyndham
could not even conjecture.
The interview between Wyndham
and old James had taken place = in
fact, several of them-but at this point
1t is necessary only to refer to one of
them
They had, as usual, at such times
dents that had happened to Pendleton
in Mexico and for the third or fourth
time referred to the duel. Wyndham
had already connected,the name of Ro-
nero with that of Escudera and was
Of the opinion the two were related.
did you ever see the man with
whom your master fought the duel?
he asked Of James.
"Yes, sir: saw him two or three
times"
did the man who was with Mr..
Pendleton the evening we found him
resemble the duelist at ALI" ..-.s
.Not at all, that remember" ..
"Now, James. go back to the moment
you first knew that duel was to be
fought How did you know about it?''
"Mr Burr told me-"
"Tell me how he told you; tell me
just what he said" IN ..@.
HE asked me if l remembered an
incident that occurred one afternoon
on the Paseo when he defended lady
from the attentions of a man who had
offended her. p -".a...
TELL me about that incident, James"
1--WE were on the Paseo together,
walking. l was few feet behind Mr..
known as the Indian statue, which "
located rather farther up the ayenu;
than pedestrians usually go. A little
way in advance of US was a lady and
her maidservant When we got near
the statue, man appeared suddenly
from behind it or one of the big cypress
trees, don't know which. He walked
rapidly toward the lady. and she stop
ped still, as if she were frightened, but
do not know if that was the reason
although think it must have BEEN"
"What time of day was that, JamesT
about o'clock in the afternoon
The sun was shining, and there were
hundreds of people within CALL so
do not think the man really meant any
thing like violence"
"Well, go ahead. What happened
then?"
'"The lady was hundred feet or 81
in advance of us when the man con
frented her. We were walking slowly
toward them. Whether Mr.. Pendleto1
was looking at them or not do not
know, but l was, for l thought the ac
tons of both rather strange. noticed
that they talked rather eXcitedly anG
that they seemed to be known to eacf
other. In the meantime we were draw
ing nearer to them. We had almost
reached them when the lady turned
suddenly away, as if to leave the man
and he reached out and seized her by
the arm.
THAT was more than Mr.. Pendletor
could stand, as you know, sir. III
stopped instantly, raised his hat, ad
dressed the lady in Spanish. as though
he had known her all his life, and al
the same time utterly ignored the man
As for him, he hesitated an instant, ant
I never saw such fiendish expression
on the face of a man as that which
| swept over his at that instant. But ht
| did not say word. Instead he turned
away and walked rapidly down the av
enuc.
.'The lady murmured a few words tt
| Mr. Pendleton. think they were
words of thanks. He raised his hat
said two words in reply, and we con
tinued on our way. ii
THAT. sir, is all there was of thai
incident, but the man who afterward
insulted my master and thus compelled
him to send challenge was the same
| man, Captain Romero, who is called
| the deadliest duelist in Mexico; so yor
| see, sir, there must have been some
| connection between the two affairs"
| Undoubtedly, James. =
| "And now, sir, if you will permit me
| to surmise little, have an idea"
| Let me hear it, by all means"
| .aThe evening before the duel Mr.
Pendleton was busy for some time pre-
pairing his affairs. Then he went out
ostensiSly to the opera, but I know ht
did not 60 there, for about midnigh1
-, = I:<tl f+or a., A rr,.s, ~, ~, IL,