Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1904-06-11

10 md you no frank-rejolced that you
do not lie. The other, God knows, In
bad enough"
/ WINGED, but held my tongue.
Our business, then, Is plain enough:
and there Is no time like the present.
So saying he cast of his coat and be-
gan to roll his sleeves back. leaving
bare that magnificent forearm OF his.
supple and dexterous. Initiating him
we were both 500 stripped for action.
l had only my light rapier, worn
about the garrison, while he was armed
with his heavy campaign blade. / was
already a dead man, or SO / felt. for
there was no spirit in me for the fight.
Our blades crossed, and Immediately
he noted the disparity Of arms.
Captain" he remarked, composedly,
drawing back q pace. This is a bad
business; / shall surely kill you, but
wish to do so as a gentleman. Permit
me to exchange our weapons, so you
fence not at SUCH great disadvantage"
And he offered me the hilt of his w
reversed sword.
"Chevalier de Ia Mora. you are a gall
liant gentleman, will you believe a man
who has lot yet lied to you, and who
feels a word is your due?"
BE quick" he replied, I'VE may be
interrupted"
II have wronged you and will render
III aloiiCiiiCiN. Dub II mas Ohly DCCIl u
wrong of the heart; one of which l
had no control, no choice. Your sweet
wife has never, by word or deed, dis
honored the noble name she bears"
/. "Of course, captain, 1t Is a gentle
mans part to make such pro~testations.
1t Is fruitless for us to discuss this
matter, further, except as we had so
well begun
So intent were we both that neither
had seen Jacques leave us. nor had
either heard the swift hoof beats Of a
horse upon the deadening sand, until
the rider was full upon U.S."
Bienville. Behind him, on foot, just
emerging from the brush some distance
away, Boisbriant and Jacques.
Gentlemen, gentlemen. put by your
weapons. What does this mean?" He
had flung himself from his horse and
stood between.
De la Mora sullenly dropped his
point.
"a mere private matter of honor,
sire"
Are there so few enemies OF France
with whom to fight that you must needs
turn your swords at each other to rob
me of a good soldier when I need every
one?'
BY this time Boisbriant and jacques
had come up, and Bienville commanded:
Major, do you accompany the Cheva-
Her de la Mora to his quarters. You will
take his parole to remain there during
the might, and he will report to me at 10
tomorrow. Placide, do you como with
me-
He gave up his horse to Jacques, and
taking me by the arm led me In the dlrec-
ton OF the garrison. Truly, l was in no
better plight, for l feared reproof from
the governor more than the steel OF de la
Mora. During all this time / said no
word. We returned to Biloxi in absolute
silence. Bienville, with all a gentleman's
instinct, recognized the delicacy of my
position.
The governor took me at once to his
own room, and sat me down at the table.
Now, Placide, tell me all about this
miserable affair"
Il cannot, sire; believe me, I cannot. I
beg OF you not to put upon me a COM
mand l must disobey. This wretched
matter is not for me to tell, even to you"
"A woman"
I held my peace.
yes, u as much. Is 1t your
fault or his, Placide? 2"
Mine"
Concluded Next Week.