The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-01-01

me to challenge him insulted me gross
ly before did so, but am utterly I'M
aware of his reason for seeking the
quarrel"
"And he is'-she whispered the
name evidently to prevent the duenna
from hearing It-"Captain Ignacio Ro-
Nero"
Pendleton bowed again.
you fight with pistols?"
1--WE are expected to do So"
"May 1 ask the name of your second
in this AFFAIR."
captain Agramonte."
She took one impulsive step forward
and then, as If remembering that the
eyes of the other woman were upon
her, as hastily withdrew. to her former
position, but her voice was keyed
tone lower. and it was plethoric with
intensity when she spoke again.
Il am the cause Of your duel, Senior
Pendleton," she said
Your he responded incredulously.
81 have not even the honor of knowing
your name, senOrita. | am quite sure
that have never heard your voice be-
fore, because it is one that | could not
forget | DO not know if l have ever
seen your face, since | cannot see it
now, and | am very sure that | have
given no man cause for such a meeting
on account Of any woman since l have
been in Mexico"
Again she was silent for a moment.
Presently. in tone so lowered that it
barely reached his sense of hearing,
she murmured:
''If you N,'l step to one side so that
Maria cannot see you and will strike
cerillo under the pretense Of lighting
yo,r cigar, | viii Graw aside my man
tillu. | think that will help you to un
derstand."
Pendleton obeyed the suggestion with
such promptness that she was not fully
prepared for it. ard the conscious flush
that Suffused her face at her own te
merity was there still when the light
Of thG wax match was reflected back
upon him from her dark but brilliant
eyes. Just one aSpiratcd breath Of sur
prise escaped him; then he turned
away and leisurely lighted his cigar.
"Thank you" he said, resumng his
former position against the framework
Of the summer house.
"Do you understand now, Senior Pen
dleton?" she asked.
Il think so-in part, not wholly"
"The duel must not take place"
est cannot be avoided, senorita."
"Iou are the challenging party; you
can withdraw"
impossible"
captain Romero is the best shot in
Mexico He will kill you
"Quite likely" with an expressive
shrug of his shoulders.
There must be no duel! 1t shall not
take placer she said vehemently.
UNLESS Senior Romero elects to apol-
ogiIe to me and withdraw, which is
extremely unlikely, it must take place,
senorita'
"If l will tell you my name and ex-
plain all that you do not know of this
affair."
Pardon me, senorita, but you are
wasting words. You should under
stand that even better than |. If Ro-
nero kills me, you will have nothing to
regret; if l Kill Romero. I should pre-
fer to remain in ignorance of your
name. l think, therefore, it is better to
leave things as they are. | perceive
also that Maria, as you called her, is
becoming impatient or anxious"
She understood perfectly we'll his
meaning. but she remained motionless
and silent several moments, drumming
one of her little feet impatiently upon
the carthen floor Finally she took one
step nearer to him and extended one
hand, in which was a letter.
"Will you take this?' she asked. II
contains something that | wrote this
afternoon, and it is for you. | ask only
that you will read it; not now, not
here" she added hastily when she saw
that he was producing his case of ceril-
los; later, at your leisure, before you
meet Captain Romero. Good night, Sc
nor" She turned away the instant his
fingers closed upon the letter. passed
through the doorway and, followed by
her servant, disappeared along the
winding pathway.
Pendleton smoked on leisurely for
some time; then he lighted another ce-
rillo and looked at his watch. The hG'I''
was nearly 10, and he hastene>. f;r.'