The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-04-16

readyY asked Simon, at the same time
| drawing his sword.
SIN one moment" returned the youth,
also drawing his own weapon, but lower.
| ing its point upon the ground.
| He was stopped short in his speech, for
at that moment the marquis came rush
ing out from the court, and soon reached
the spot where they stood.
Simon" he gasped, white with fear,
'what means this? Put up your sword"
"Brion st. Julien" quickly retorted the
mad nephew, stand backi You saw
what passed last night-did you not2'
But that was the result of hot pas
| sion. You tainted him most bitterly, 81
mon; you insulted him most shamefully,
| and he knew not what he did. o, let this
| thing stop!'
"Stop? You might as well try to stop
| yonder mighty river from flowing to its
mouth! You say | gave him provocation.
| Did he not give me prOvocationT
"Yes-yes. 1t was all folly-all eager,
| hot, mad haste. 0, give over this thing!
| Simon, | command your
"Brion ST. Julien look upon this mark
on my face! Were the man who did that
my own brother, he should stand before
my sword. So now stand back. There
| shall be death to wipe this out. If
fall, twill die with me; If he falls, the
atonement Is complete"
Good Sir Brion," spoke Goupart, at
this point, ''let the conflict go on. Life
to me now is not worth the price would
pay for it by refusal. Let it go on
"But-my child-my son, if you are
gone"
You'll have me left" interrupted 81
mon-''me, who of right belongs here.
Now are you ready, Monsieur st. Denis!"
The youth turned an imploring look up
on the marquis, and as the old man fell
back, he replied:
"Now l must ask the question l was
about to ask ere our friend came to in
terrupt us. Simon Lobois, you may fall
in this encounter, and before cross your
sword, l would pray you to tell, If you
know, where Louis st. Julien is"
"How?" Kissed Simon. Would ye
heap more insult upon me?"
II ask but a simple question"
"Ay-and that question means foul
suspicion. 1 know nothing of him"
"Then come on!'
And ON the next instant the swords
were crossed.
Simon Lobois had been accounted one
of the best sword players in Marine, and
he came to the conflict as though he were
sure of victory; but at the third pass ne
was undeceived. He turned pale in mo-
ment, for he now knew that he had met
with superior, even in fencing skill.
He was a coward at heart, and he fairly
trembled. Goupart saw 1t in an instant,
and for the moment he was astonished.
But then he remembered how Simon used
to tremble at the whiz of pistol ball,
and he wondered no more. Almost did
he pity the poor wretch. Straight, pow
erful and tall he stood, with his broad
chest expanded, while before him fairly
covered the diminutive 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 courage"
In all probability, the villain believed
that Goupart meant to kill him II he
could. That belief begot a feeling of de-
spair, and that last taunt fired him. Like
the cornered rat, he set to now with all
the energy of a dying man, and for
few moments st. Denis had to look
sharp; but 1t was only for few mo-
ments Simon made point-blank thrust
from a 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 1t 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 a slanting stroke.
With quick cry of pain, Simon dropped
his weapon and started back.
Don't strike me now" he cried.
Fear not" replied Goupart. II never
strike a defenseless man. But are you
satisfed?"
"Yes-yes! But that was cowardly
stroke"
"No-no Lobois. l meant not to strike
you then; I only meant to knock your
sword down. But you know you have
been at my mercy thrice"
at was your own fault that you did not
take advantage of it. | should have kill
ed you had been able, and think you
would have done the same"
"Nov' cried the marquis; you know
better 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 a 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
A. thn oh Of ha
blow, the hand would have been severed
wholly off, for the stout iron guard was
found cut nearly in twain!
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