The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-11-14

prised and puzzled Beverley one day
when he chanced TO be examining the
pair Of colechemardes on the wall.
He tore one down and, handling It
with the indescribable facility possible
to none save a practical swordsman, re-
marked:
There's a world Of fascination in
these things. like nothing better
than a bout at fencing Does your ia
ther practice the artT'
Il have no father, no mother" she
quickly said, "but good Papa Rous-
sillon does like little exercise with
the colechemarde."
"Well, I'm glad to hear II. shall
ask to teach him trick or two" Bev-
erley responded in the lightest mood
"When will he return from the woodsT
IL can't tell you. He's very irregular
in such matters" she said. Then, with
a smile half banter and half challenge,
she added, "If you are really dying for
some exercise you shall not have to
wait for him to come home assure
you, NJ. Beverley"
"Oh, it's NJ de Ronville, perhaps.
that you will offer up as a victim to
my skill and address," he slyly return
ed, for he was suspecting that a love
affair In some stage OF progress lay
between her and Rene.
She blushed violently, but quickly
overcoming combined rush of sur
prise and anger, added with an en-
phasis as charming as 1t was unex-
pected:
81 myself am, perhaps, swordsman
enough 10 satisfy the impudence and
vanity OF NJ. Beverley, lieutenant in
the American army"
Pardon me. mademoiselle; forgive
me, beg OF YOU" he exclaimed, ear
nestly modulating his voice TO slncerest
beseechment. II really did not mean to
be impudent, nor
Her yivacity cleared with a merry
laugh.
mo apologies, command you" she
interposed. we will have them after
l have taught you a fencing lesson"
From a shelf she drew down pair
OF folls and, presenting the hits, bade
him take his choice.
There isn't any difference between
them that | know Of" she said, and
then added archly, but you will feel
better at last, when all is over and the
sting OF defeat tingles through you, II
you are conscious of having used every
sensible precaution."
He looked straight into her eyes, try
Ing to catch what was In her mind but
there was bewildering glamour play.
ing across those gray, opal tinted wells |
OF mystery, from which he could draw |
only a mischieyous smile CLINT, direct,
daring, irresistible.
"Well." he said, taxing one Of the
folls, "wbat do you really mean? Is II
a challenge without room for honorable
retreat?"
''rhe time for parley Is past" she re-
piled. Follow me 10 the battle ground"
She led the way TO n pleasant little |
court In the rear OF the cabins yard. n
space between two wings and vine
covered trellis, beyond which lay a
well kept vineyard and vegetable gar.
den. Here she turned about and faced
him, polslng her foil with n fine grace
Are you readyY" she inquired
He tried again TO force way Into
the depths OF her eyes with his. but ne
might as well have attacked the sun.
no he stood m a confusion OF not very
we'll defined feelings, undecided, hesi
tating, half expecting that there would
be some mughable turn 10 end the al.
fair
"Are you afraid. NJ. Beverley" she
demanded after short waiting IN
silence.
He laughed now and whipped the air
With his foil.
you certainly are not in earnest?' he
said mterrogatlvely. do you really
mean that you want to fence with mey"
III you think because I'm only n
girl you can easily beat me, try H."
The tauntingly replied, making level
thrust toward his breast
Quick as dash he parried, and then
a merry cllnSlng and twinkling OF steel
blades kept time 10 their swift move.
ments, Instantly, by the sure sense
which Is half sight, half feeling the
sense that guides the experienced fenc
IRIS hand and wrist-B Beverley knew
hat he had probably more than his
match, ANA In ten seconds his attack
was met by a time thrust In opposition
which touched him sharply.
Alice spNng back, lowered her point
md laughed,
"Je yous salue. NJ, Beverley she
'ried, with childlike show of delight.
'Did you reei the buttonT
'Nes, I felt IT," he said with frank
acknowledgement in his voice, 1t was
beverly done Now give me chance
c ncdecm myself"
He began more carefully and found
hat sue, too. was ON her best mettle:
'ut Il WAS short bout as before. s
\lice seemed 10 give him an easy opcn a
ng and he accepted IL with a thrust :
hen something happened that he dd
ot understand. The point OF his foll
fas somehow caught under his oppo
Ients hllt guard while her blade seeme, \
, twist around his Al the same tim, 1
here was a wiring and Jerk. the like
which he had never before felt. and
4 a A.