Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1904-01-22


opportunity to meet Neville. While
he was playing billiards the following
afternoon with the Duke of York, his
equerry arrived at the Palais Royale
with his horse. Neville had taken the
northern road out of the city, and it
was presumably the homeward road.
Rupert followed quickly, but Neville
was swift. steady rider, and he was
not overtaken till twenty miles had
been covered, and the daylight was
nearly lost in the radiance of the full
moon. Rupert put spurs to his horse,
passed Neville at a swift gallop then
suddenly wheeling, came at rush
towards him, catching his bride as
they met.
you will alight. have quarrel to
settle with you"
ION what ground?"
Say it is on the ground Of your
mistress. | am Earl de Wick's friend"
Il will not fight on such pretense.
My mistress would deny me if I did"
Fight for your honor, then"
Neville laughed. 81 know better.
And before what you call Honor, put
Duty"
Then fight for the papers and
money in your possession. want
them"
Hal I thought so. You are a rob-
Der, it seems. But warn you that I
am a good swordsman."
Heaven and hell What do l care?
If you do not alight at once, | will
Stay your horse You shall fight me,
here and now, with or without pre-
tense"
Then Neville flung himself from his
horse and tied the animal to a tree.
Rupert did likewise and the two men
rapidly removed such of their gar
ments as would interfere with their
bloody play. They were in lonely
road, partially shaded with great trees.
Not a human habitation was visible,
and there were no seconds to see JUS
tice done in the fight, or secure help
after it, if help was needed. But at
this time the lack of recognized for
duel. Report quickly found that he had
met his match. Neville left him not a
moments breathing space, but never
followed up his attacks, until at last
Rupert called out insolently, When
are you going to kill me.
The angry Impotence of the inquiry
probably induced a moments careless
ness, and Rupert did not notice that in
the struggle Their ground had insen-
sibly been changed, and Neville now
stood directly in front of a large tree.
Not needing the impeachment, Rupert
made a fierce thrust with the point
of his sword, which Neville evaded
by vault to one SIDE so that Rupert's
sword striking the tree, sprang from
his hand at the impact. AS it fell to
the ground, Neville reached it first,
and placed his foot upon it. Rupert
stood still and bowed gravely. He
was at Nevine's mercy, and he indi-
Gated his knowledge of this TACT by
the proud stiffness of his attitude.
"It was an accident" said Neville,
affair. Take your life from my hand.
| have no will to wish your death"
He offered his nand as he spoke, and
Rupert took it frankly, answering:
"'Tis no disgrace to take life from
one so gallant and generous, and
am glad that can repay the favor of
your clemency;" then he almost whis- |
pered in Cluny's ear three words, and |
the young man started visibly, and |
with great haste united his horse.
I'VE would better change horses"
said Rupert; mine is Barb, swift |
as the wind"
But Cluny could not make the
change proposed withou. some delay,
his papers and jewels being bestowed
IN his saddle Innings. So with a good
wish the two men parted, and there
was no anger between them-admira-
ion and goodwill had taken its place.
Neville fastened forward, as he had
been advised, and Rupert returned to
Paris. He knew Matilda was expect
ng him, and he pictured to himself
Ter disappointment and anxiety at his
Yet he was physically
and as soon as he threw
himself upon couch he forgot all his
and all his anxieties in
leep sleep.
Early next morning he went to Ma
Ida.
How could you SO cruelty disap-
'oint me?" she cried. "You see now
hat our time is nearly gone; in a
ew hours we must part, perhaps for.
YER"