Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-04-09
fan, twill dle with mei Il hO falls, tho

fall, twill die with me; II ho falls, the
atonement II complete"
Good Sir Brion," spoke Goupart, at
this point, "let the conflict go on. Life
10 me now Ii not worth the price I would
pay for II by refusal. Let II 20 on"
"Iiut-my child-my son, II you are
gone"
you'll have me left" interrupted ST.
mon--''me, who OF right belongs here.
Now are you ready, Monsieur st. Denis r.
The youth turned an lmploring look up
on the marquis. and az the old man fell
back, he replied;
NOW | must ask the question was
about 10 ask ere our friend came TO In
tcrrupt US. Simon LoboIs. you may fall
Ia this encounter, and before | cross your
sword, would pray you TO tell, II you
know. where Louis st. Julien Is"
'Iiowf hissed Simon. Would ye
heap more insult upon meT"
II ask but simple question"
"Ay--and that question means 4 foul
suspI ion. know nothing OF him."
Then come onT'
And on the next instant the swords
were crossed.
Simon Lobois had been accounted one
Of the best sword players In Marne. and
he came 10 the conflict as though he were
sure Of victory; but at the third pass he
was undeceiyed. He turned pale In mo-
ment. for he now knew that he had met
with a superior, even In fencing skill.
He was coward at heart, and he fairly
trembled. Goupart saw II In an instant.
and for the moment he was astonished.
But then be remembered how Simon used
TO tremble nt the whlz OF pistol ball,
and he wondered no more. Almost did
he pity the poor wretch. Straight, pow
erfui and tall he stood. with his broad
chest expanded. while before him fairly
covered the dminutive form OF the vii
lain.
"Ah. Simon. I've taught the sword art
since you left me In France! Take care!
Poor wretch, | gave you credit for more
skill, and for more cowrage."
In all probability. the villain believed
that Goupart meant to kill him II he
could. That belief begot feeling Of de-
spair, and that last taunt fired him. Like
the cornered rat he set to now with all
the energy of dying man. and for
few moments st. Denis had TO look
sharp; but II was only for few mo-
ments. Simon made a point-blank thrust
from left guard, and with quick
movement to the right. Goupart brought
a downward stroke with all his available
force. only meaning to break his antag-
onist's sword, or strike ii from his grasp,
and thus end the conflict without blood
shed. But Simon had thrust his arm
further forward than Goupart had calcu-
lated, and the blow fell upon the sword
hand. the guard receiving part of the
force, thus causing 'sianting stroke.
With a quick cry OF pain, Simon dropped
his weapon and started back.
Don't strike me now"' he crics.
Fear not" replied Goupart. Il never
strike a defenseless man. But are you
satlsfedT'
"yes-yesl But that was a cOwardly
stroke"
Mono Lobois. meant not to strike
You then: only meant to knock your
sword down. But you know you have
been at my mercy thrice"
1T was your own fault that you did not Z
take advantage OF IL. | should have kill |
cd you had | been able, and think you
would have done the same"
"Nor' cried the marquis; you know /
hetter than that, Simon"
But the wounded man made no further
reply. His hand panied him now, and he
held 1t out towards the marquis with a
beseeching look. The old man examined
It, and found that bad cash was cut
from the roots Of the thumb to the wrist,
on the back Of the hand, but none Of the
bones were harmed. Had not the guard
of the sword received the weight Of the
blow, the hand would have been severed
wholly off, for the stout iron guard was
found cut nearly in twainl
And thus ended the duel. Goupart was
surprised at the easy victory he had won,
while Simon was surprised at the incrsdi-
BILE skill his antagonist had displayed.
And the marquis was thankful-deeply
the result, so far as mere
life and death were concerned.
CTO be continued.l