The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-25
WITHOUT SECONDS

| as dawn and made the dew-wet grass
CLEAN like silver 10 the dark line of the
coppice that encircles the manor house
\ soft wind now and again stirred the
| leaves of the fantastically gnarled apple
| trees to a faint rustic. and from the
| house, where a few patches OF yellow
| light shone from the windows OF a lower
| room came occasional bursts of laughter
| and yelping shouts.
There was another sound that seemed to
| proceed from a clGmp of box and laurel
| that grew near the orchard gate-a gasp
| ing. signing sound that began and ceased
| almost Instantly: and at the same time
! a fiutter of white in the dense shadow
| Again, the crunching OF footsteps on the
| gravel of the walk and then q mans
! voice.
rs this the place. my rash and blood
thirsty friend?"
This is the place" came the answer
| in deep, grave tones. There in the open
| We shall find light enough for our purpose
| and room enough"
| The latch OF the orchard gate clicked
| sharply and two men stepped into the
moonlit space. Both Were richly dressed,
| but one, the younger of the two, showed
q foppishness in his habit rather in con-
| trast with the simplicity of the other
! His periwig was deliberately curled. the
| skirts or his rose-colored and Silver-lined
| coat stood out stiffly behind him in the
| extreme of the mode. and his slim white
| hands Were covered TO the knuckles with
/ his Mechlin ruffles. His air was languid
| ard his voice, as he stood negligently
| looking about him, soft and drawing He
was perhaps % years of age, though the
| moonlight might have made him appear
younger than ne was, handsome. in a
| certain way, fair of skin and blue-eyed,
with high arched brows. His companion
was few Years older, dark and rudy of
! 90, al
wore his own hair tied with black ribbon
and was booted and spurred. His face
was grave, while the younger mans thin
| lips were curled in sneering smile.
- For our purpose, " repeated ne of
| the ruffleS and lace. For your purpose.
| This was none of my seeking. Tis my
| nature to be mild and pacific, Mr..
Gresham. At least I would have waited
to kill you decently in the morning, but
at this hour. oh, fie.''
The other pitched his riding whip at the
foot of a tree without replying and began
TO digest himself of his coat.
And without Secondsi Gadi I'd blush
for you if | could. You still retain GER
tain charming rustic simplicity-and awk-
wardness. Couldn't you blush a little for
yourself? \ vastly pleasant situation l
am likely to find myself in to satisfy
your impetucsity. Your guest. too"
Did you come out here with me to
protest-or to admire the moonlight, my
guest? 1 am waiting for you, sir
You are too impatient, and very saw
age. my Gresham. What Because you
have lost few scurvy pieces at hazard
and the light affections of pretty Mrs.
Chesham-Wait, You see my sword is not
yet drawn"
Then draw it quickly" said Chesham
hoarsely, 'or, by God, I'll stab you as
you stand. My wife is blameless, you
lying hound. Draw
The other made quick movement to
his sword. but checked himself and. TAX
ing a snuff box from his pocket, raped
the lid and took a delicate pinch with per-
feet compoSure. Il think you will wait
for me, he said. 1.-The night Is warm. and
you will not chill, and L have something
TO say to you before | pink you. True.
nobody could blame Mrs. Cheshain. y
little imprudent, perhaps-foolish but.
Cad! who would not forgive such di-
vinity? The fairest creature. l protest,
She should be vastly obliged to me for
Kidding her of such al crave your par
don, Gresham. Sink me- but | was going
to say something uncomplimentary to
YOU l make no doubt that she viii be
obliged to me-nor do you, fuffle as you
may"
Chesham's rudy face had blanched to
an ashen hue and his dark eyes were
blazing, but he seemed TO control himself
by a.-tpsnssedGTt and sank the point Of
his sword in the turf. MY lord" he
7 said in even tones, II am no ruffler. but Z
tell you for the third time tonight that
you lie. 1 am thick-witted rustic, if
your lordship pleases, and no fit mate for
the dear lady who honored me with her
hand and whom | trust, but l know her
too well to deem for a moment that there
is man on earth could make her forget
her duty. You boast that you know wo-
M live
something to learn
Il shall live" said my lord with a
changed manner. Look. you. Chesham,
You may think I am damned odd fish.
but sink me! I'm beginning TO like you.
l was talking for your good. l didn't
think you had much spirit, or damme, l
wouldn't have said much as l did. l
know that I pressed you hard just now.
but my cheek burned where you struck it.
Must l cut your throat now because your
wife is "a
Chesham sprang forward and struck
him across the face with the fat of his
sword once and again, and the young
man staggered back with the force OF
the blows. Recovering himself. he threw
off his coat and waistcOat with furious
haste and drew his sword and the next
instant the two were engaged.
Backward and forward Tound and
round they circled and leaped. thrusting
tenseness and the clashing and grating
of their steel sounded without cessation.
Gresham was savagely aggressive and his
opponent gave ground continually before
him. thrusting rarely, but parTying with
consummate skill and wariiy awaiting
his O0ortunity. Presently il came. AID
Gresham leaped back for the first time.
a patch of blood reddening his shirt on
his right side. Again, and with redoublcd
fury he pressed forward and his lord
ship received a thrust in the shoulder
He strove to pursue his advantage and
exposed himself for an instant and his
lordshiD's blade flashed in the moonligh.
and buried itself in his breast.
The sword dropped from his nerveless
fingers. and. supported by his antagonist.
he sank slowly TO the ground. Blood bub-
bled from his mouth and choxed him as
he tried TO speak. Suddenly he tried 10
raise himself. his eyes staring with =
strange expression before him. choked
again and fell back and was still-for
ever.
'.wnmot,"
His lordship started to his feet with an
oath. \ woman stood before him. ard !
as he stared at her in dumb anazement /
threw her arms around his neck and hid
her face in his breast. shudderiug-
"Wilmot." she gasped, Il saw il all
OH
He tried To unciasp her ar-11. but they
held him in an embrace % ste H.
is he dead she asked. without lifting
her head from his bosom
II think So said mis- lordshiQ- Take
your arms from nae. Betty / must See
him"
No. 10" she Whispered Il saw II. r
tell you heard What h said ard
what you saId. Tel me. did you
mean it, Do YOU think I an that WIZ