Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-04-14
fail. twill die with me; If he falls, the


atonement Is complete"
Good Sir Brion," spoke Goupart, at
this point, "let the conflict go on. Lie
to me now Is not worth the price / would
pay for it by refusal. Let 1t 60 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 / must ask the question l was
about to ask ere our friend came to in
terrupt us. Simon Lebois, you may fall
in this encounter, and before l cross your
sword, / would pray you to tell, II you
know, where Louis ST. Julien is.
"How?" hissed Simon. Would ye
heap more insult upon meT
1I ask but 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 Marne, and
he came to the conflict as though he were
sure of victory; but at the third pass he
was undeceived. He turned pale in a mo-
ment, for he now knew that he had met
with superior, even in fencing skill.
He was a coward at heart, and he falrly
trembled. Goupart saw it in an instant,
and for the moment he was astonisheo.
But then be remembered how Simon used
to tremble at the whiz of a 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.s
"Ah, Simon, I've taught the sword art
since you left me in France! Take care!
Poor wretch, l gave you credit for more
skill, and for more courage"
In all probability, the villain belieyed
that Goupart meant to kill him If 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 a dying man, and for
few moments st. Denis had to look
sharp; but 1t was only for few mo-
ments. Simon made a point-blank thrust
from left guard, and with quick
movement to the right, Goupart brought
force, only meaning to break his antag-
onist's sword, or strike it 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 a quick cry of pain, Simon dropped
his weaDoD and started back.
Don't strike me nowr' he cried.
"Fear not" replied Goupart. II never
strike a defenseless man. But are you
satisfied"
"Yes-yes! But that was eowardly
stroke, ss
s'No-no, Lobois. I meant not to strike
you then; only meant to knock your
sword down. But You know you have
been at my mercy thrice"
'It was your own fault that you did not
take advantage of it. I should have kill
ed you had 1 been able, and I think you
would have done the same"
'Nor' 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 it out towards the marquis with
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 twain!
And thus ended the duel. Goupart was
surprised at the easy victory he had won,
while Simon was surprised at the incredi-
BILE skill his antagonist had displayed.
And the marquis was thankfuf-deeply
thankful--for the result, so far as mere
life and death were concerned.
CTo be continued.l