The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-01-28
BY Harris

wv - >ohAh hShA~ - Sool w
intrigues. You were saying"
Nay. nothing of that kind. I Jour
ney to Paris simply for my own pleas
ure." Levert. who half listened at a
distance, knew | was going to heed his
advice. though l misdoubted his mo-
tive, and again, took up his pacing to
and fro.
AYE, my dear captain, but It's q long
trip for such an errand?"
Yes, quite a long trip, but 1 weary
OF the life at Biloxi, and would amuse
myself for a while iE France"
But the garrison at Biloxi; is that
strong enough to spare so good a SOL
der? then the Indians, do you not fear
them?'
1 glanced at him quickly, only half
betray1ng my thought. but replied non
~chalantly:
No. the Indians are quiet, at least
so our scouts tell us, and as for the
state of the garrison. you were long
enough ashore to know we are strong"
All, then, there is another motive: a
woman. Come, is 1t not true? Con-
fess?'
/ blushed in spite of myself: 1t was
an idle way I mad, for / had seen little
of women. My confusion threw him
completely off the track: had I only
guessed 1t, would ave taken refuge in
that device sooner.
No. no, comrade; you are wrong''-
out still somehow my color came and
went like a novice out of the convent.
His good-humored raillery continued
until | became annoyed in earnest, yet
was glad he took the matter so serious
~. When Levert passed us again on
his walk I spoke to him.
Now, my dear Levert, we will try
our fortune with the foils if 1t pleases
you"
No. my humor is past. Do you try
with Broussard; methinks. he had rath-
er the better of you yesterday. You
agree, Broussard?"
US at It,"
he fenced rather worse than usual.
SO !! had no trouble in touching him as
l pleased. This begat an irritation of
manner, and noticing it 1 suggested we
leave off.
lie would not hear to 1t; 1 saw the
color slowly leave his face; his thin
lips curled back and Showed his teeth,
until, rearing a serious outbreak. 1
stepped back as If l would lay aside
the foil. He pressed me close, so close
indeed could not if I would drop my
guard. He touched me once or twice,
! call the bout a draw declared
Levert, who had himself observed
IoiouSSaTdS unusual energy.
Nay, not so, not 50; he gives back.
NV much the better" and he lunged
at me SO vigorously I was forced to
act with more aggression. The button
snapped from the point of his foil: I
cared not, and he affected not to see it.
though something made me sure he
realized his advantage. I determined
now to show him a trick of my own.
From my youth l had the peculiar
1 fQHl1ttv OF 11Clr,o ~ nNn - 49, 49, y,
as the other, and had often practiced
changing my sword swiftly from right
70 left. 1t was a simple feat, much
more snowy than difficult, vet exceed
1ngiy b~ewildering to an adversary. In
this instance 1t afforded me an easy
means of reaching his undefended side.
SO l feigned to be driven back, and
watching for a more headlong and
careless rush. my weapon was appar.
entity twisted from my hand and for an
instant seemed to hang suspended IN
the air. l caught 1t In my left and be-
fore he recovered his footing had
thrown his foil from him, sending it
Whizzing overheard. 1t took but an
instant to press my point firmly against
ms chest, as he stood painting and dis
armed. Never was man more sur
prised.
"Braveiy done" cried Levert.
"A most foul and dishonorable trick"
Achflle snarled.
Not So" Levert corrected him
graTely, looking at me to observe the
effect of the insult. I stood still, at
guard, but made no move.
"Broussard, o are angry now-. and
III take no heed of yours heated words.
But tomorrow you must make a gem
tleman's amends"
"Tush. tush." Levert %interposea, otis
the quarrel of a child. He means moth
ing
Broussard said no more, but looked
surly and i'll pleased. was secretIv
eiated at the success of my coup
against such a skilled swordsman. and
only remarked quietly:
"Broussard. when your anger has
passed trust you will do me the homer
of an apology"
Behind 1t all I cared little, for I felt
myself his master with his chosen
weapon and could afford to be gem
erous. He came up in very manly
fashion, after a time, and craved NV
forgiveness, but we played at foils no
more.
The lookouts were beginning to
watch for land. I growing more and
more impatient ais the end OF our
voyage drew near. And now 7 hod
much leisure to contemplate. and VIZ n,u
der at the strange turn of fortune
which had called upon me to play a
part In the affairs of state, though
what the drama was, and what nv
lines might be, l could only guess. The
story of Colonel D'Ortez, too, furnished
NE much o for reflection these long
starlit nights. when l sat in my favor
lite seat in the Very prov of the vessel.
There would I sit night after night,
watching the phosphorescent waves
ripping against the vessel, cleaning
fitful in the gloom; there observe the
steadfast stars, n seem alone with
darkness and with God.
One wet morning. pacing the slim
perry deck, h sailing master called to
me:
See, sir. yonder dim outline to the
.nor'east2 Ills the Norman coast; this
night, Go willing. we sleep In
Dieppe."
My errand now consumed my entire
attention, SC ] thought no more Of my
companions of the voyage, bidding
them both good night before we had
vet landed.
CHAPTER ~.
THE ROAD To VERSAILLES.
At the breake2 day rambling OUT
af tie Little. fishing Village, was SUP
Nrisea q see lsth 4 roaissa and Is-
Nsghs SaatiT aas aayaei aen fiji