The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1904-02-24

| the lIIuSlS. lluu IL bCCn bhl ONNAhNhA
that MauviIle's unlocked for expedient
! had failed?
But the land baron's zest only APP
peared to grow in proportion to the re-
sistance he encountered; the lust for
! fighting increased with the music of
the blades. For some moments he feint-
ed and lunged, seeking an opening,
however slight. Again he appeared bent
upon forcing a quick conclusion, for
suddenly with a rush he sought to
| break over Saint-Prosper's guard and
succeeded in wounding the other slight
ly in the forehead. Now. sure of his
man. Mauville sprang at him savagely.
But, dashing the blood from his eyes
with his free hand and without giving
way, Saint-Prosper met the assault
with a wrist of iron, and the land bar
on failed TO profit by what had seemed
a certain advantage. The wound had
the effect of making the soldier more
cautious, and eye, foot and hand were
equally true.
In his fury that his chance had slip
ped away, after wounding and, as he
supposed, binding his opponent Maui
vile, throwing prudence to the winds,
recklessly attempted TO repeat his rash
eXpedient, and this time the steel of
his antagonist cleaned like. quicksil-
yer, passing beneath his arm and in
flicting slight flesh wound. Some
thing resembling a look of apprehen-
sion crossed the land baron's face. II
have underestimate him. he thought.
The next stroke will be driven nearer
home"
He felt no fear, however; only mute,
helpless rage. In the soldiers hand
the dainty weapon was thing Of mar
velous cunning. His vastly superior
strength made him practically tireless
in his play. Not only tireless; he sud
denly accelerated the tempo Of the ex-
ercise, but behind this unexpected,
even passionate, awakening the spec
tators felt an unvarying accuracy, a
steely GOODNESS OF purpose. The blades
clicked faster; they met and parted
more viciously; the hard light in Saint
Prosper's eyes grew brighter as he
slowly thrust back his antagonist.
Mauville became aware his own vigor
pressing the other he was now obliged
TO defend himself. He strove to throw
off the lethargy irreslstibly stealing
over him, TO shake the leaden move
ments from his limbs. He vainly en-
deavored to penetrate the mist falling
before his eyes and to overcome the
dizziness that made his foeman seem
like a figure in a dream. Was 1t
through loss Of blood or WEAKNESS, or
both? But he was cognizant his
thrusts had lost force, his plunges vi
tally. and that even an element of
chance prevailed in his parties. But
he uttered no sound, When would that
mist become dark and the golden day
fuse into inky night?
Before the mist totally eclipsed his
sight he determined to make one more
supreme effort and again sprang for
ward. but was driven back with ease.
The knowledge that he was continuing
n futile struggle smote him to the soul.
Gladly would he have welcomed the
fatal thrust If first he could have sent
his blade through that breast which so
far had been impervious to his efforts.
Now the scene went round and round
The golden day became crimson, scar
let, then gray. leaden. somber. Incau-
tiously he bent his arm to counter an
imaginary lunge. and his antagonist
thrust out his napier like a thing Of
life, transfixtng Mauville's sword arm.
He stood his ground bravely for q mo-
ment, playing feebly into space, ex-
pecting the fatal stroke. When would
1t come? Then the slate colored hues
were swallowed In a black cloud. But
while his mind passed into uncon-
sciousness his breast was openly pre-
scented to his antagonist, and even the
count shuddered.
With his blade at guard Saint-Pros-
per remained motionless. The land
baron staggered feebly and then sank
softly to the earth. That fatal look,
the expression OF a duelist, vanished
from the soldiers face, and, allowing
the point of his weapon to drop to the
ground, he surveyed his PROSTATE an
| tagonist.
Done like gentleman cried the
count breathing more freely. "You
had him at your mercy, sir"-to Saint
| Prosper-"and spared him."
A cold glance was the soldiers only
response, as without a word he turned
brusquely away. Meanwhile the doctor,
fastening to Mauville's side, opened
his shirt.
"He is badly hurt" asked Barnes
anXlously OF the surgeon.
mo; only tainted from loss OF
blood" replied that gentleman cheer
fully. "He will be around again in a
day or two"
The land baron soon regained con-
seriousness and walked, with the as
slstance of the count, to his carriage
AS they were about to drive away the
sound of vehicle was heard drawing
near, and soon 1t appeared followed by
another equipage. Both stopped at the
confines of the Oaks and the friends Of
the thickset man, Susan's admirer, and
the young lad on whom she had smiled
' aIiOhtad