The San Francisco call., 1903-12-13

scourged out every semblance of come
liness, leaving only the skeleton frame
on which to hang this CHASTITY carica-
ture of human face. Fearing him not
at all, l could scarce forbear a shudder
at the sight of this walking death-mask
of the libertine, Sir Francis Falconnet
And If his face were terrifying in re-
pose, twas fair deInonfac when he
"Har' he said, bowling again in the
mockery of politeness, You are sur
my lords order and thought l would
be now some miles on the road to Sal
IF you were the loyal soldier you
self up proudly, you would be at the
head of your troop, as his Lordship di-
rected.' And then. with a: gesture that
Libertine, and let me pass
His answer was another mocking
laugh, and he stepped within to close
the door and lock it. When he turned
to front her again his face was the face
by Godl you think too lightly of me,
Mistress Margery. Before ever this day
dawned l owed you much, but like a
spiteful little hellicat you must needs add
to the score by making me target for
your wit at the supper table. Twill cost
a life to more than one of them who
laughed with you, my lady, but twill
cost you dearer still
He came nearer as he spoke, thrust1ng
that horrible face farther into the circle
of candle light, but she would not draw
back nor finch a hair, and | marked
that the hand that held the candestick
was as steady as a rock. But when he
made an END she flung quick glance
over her shoulder and my heart leaped
for joy. For then knew she was lean
ing upon me.
Once more, Captain Falconnet, will
you let me pass?'' she said.
Nor he snarled, adding a horrid
blasphemy. Twas passion in me once,
and l am none SO sure there was not a
time when you could have cooled it into
He snapped his fingers in her face. ''rhe
thing they'll find here in the morning"
He fell face downward at her feet and
/ set my heel in the small Of his back
to hold him while l could drive the point
of the Ferara between his ribs. But my
dear lady would not have it so.
No, no! for the love Of heaven. not
that, Monsieur John!" she cried, and for
swallowed UP of pity and she became
compassionate woman pleading for a
But now my blood was up. "You arc
my wife" 1 said. coldly. IF he had
dozen nves should take them all for
that which he said to you
d8 But taneot not that %ayhoh not that .S; way.
of what it will mean to you-and-to me.
For your own sake, Monsieur John"
l took my heel from the mans back.
But your way is clear now; you may
CO."
She took step toward the door.
You will not kill him when I am
gone, Monsieur John?"
by the name he bears he was doubt
less born a gentleman; since you wish it
he shall die like one"
l saw she did not take my meaning;
that when she was gone | should let
him have his chance to die sword in
hand.
Remember, Il I have your promise. she
march for Salisbury. and in little whiIe
your friends will be here to-
The sentence ended in a very womanly
my bastard enemy had bounced to his
feet to make quick lunge, not at me.
but at her.
OF course came between to parry the
life for one of US and death for the
other. / looked to see my lady
run, shrieking; indeed / called to her to
go, but she stood fast as if her terror
had frozen her, and it was her candle
that lighted the grim vault for the duel.
AS you will know full well. 1 was not
minded to give this. thrice-accursed riend
more than the gentleman's chance l had
promised to give him. But now, as
twice before, he fought most desperately,
trying by every trick of fence TO come
holding the candle aloft. AS l have often
said, he was a pretty swordsman, and
at this crisis, with life at stake and all
the fury of the seven devils of disap-
pointed vengeance to nerve his arm, his
sword play was most mastery.
Yet twice in his stamping rushes L
found my opening; once the Ferara' s point
passed his blade, and but for the ringed
guard of the German longsword that
stopped it when his parry failed the steel
would have passed through him. After
1 supposed, that my wrist and arm could
outWeary his. Yet his savage onset never
tagged for an instant, and when the light
fell upon his hideous face could see the
fierce eyes glinting like a basilisk's, with
no sign in them that my time was come
to press him home.
None the less, l did press him, inch
by inch, driving him at each new clasn
Of the steel a little deeper into the gloom
that crowded close upon the narrow cir
Gle of candle light. He saw my object
to push him to unfamiliar ground where
he might trip and stumble in the dark
ness-and he strove furiously to defeat
1t. Yet he had no choice, and presently
had him among the empty winebutts,
pouring out such blasphemies as would
make your blood run cold.
Here the end came quickly. Being en-
tangled among the broached butts he
had no room to play skillfully. So pres
emily 1t chanced that he caught his point
in the chine of cask and his blade
snapped short at the hilt. With a yell
ing oath, kissing hot from the devIls
thumb-book, he snatched up the broken
blade to fling and stick it javelin-wise in
my shoulder, and then 1 saw the dull
CLEAN of the candle light on the barrel
of a pistol.
Had he aimed the pistol at me l trust
I should still have given him his gentle
mans chance. But when / saw him level
the weapon at my dear lady
they came In one and the same heart
beat; the sword thrust that found his
life and took It, the crash of the pistol
shot echoing like clap of thunder in the
close vault, and pitchy darkness to draw
its curtain over all
/ know not how l reached her pulling
the broken sword blade from my shoul-
der as i ran, nor can I tell you how an
upgushing spring of thankfulness choked
me when / found her unharmed by the
bullet which had snuffed the candle out.
She was in a most piteous state, now
it was all over, and though 1 charged
it all where l supposed it should belong
to the account of a natural womanly
passion to cling to something in her mo-
ment of weakness-yet the blood ran
quick in my veins when she suffered me
to lead her out Of that dismal, smoking
death pit, she clinging to me the while
so close that l could feel the warmth
of her and the fluttering of her dear
heart beneath my hand.
She said no word, nor did I, till we
were come above stairs. We found the
rooms on the main floor deserted by all