The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-02-18

7 sun ever shines. Further than this L
could see nothing except the tall gray
buildings which shut in every side and
this wall in front. That door once
] locked upon the intruder there would
be no easy egreSs. 1nStinctiVely l held
back.
"NIonsieur is afraid?" she inquired,
then tossed back her head, and laughed
such a low disdainful, mean laugh, as
fired my every nerve to hear. l hesl-
tated no longer. Let COME what Will,
bet the governors errand look to itself,
for no ma or woman could ever laugh
at me like that.
Holding my blade at easy command,
I stepped inside. Immediately the door
closed. and the rasping of the Key told
me il was securely locked as before.
Then came regret, but came too late.
What I a so foolishly commenced, l
must now see finished. The cup had
been taken in hand and the dice must
be thrown.
AS we came, I followed her again.
though at much closer range We
crossed the yard diagonally, across the
broken panes, bits of casks. wine
bottles and other refuse scattered
| about. liked not the aspect of the
place. AS the girl was about to enter
a door leading inside the building, a
| man came down the inner stairs and
passed out. coming in u direction.
For the moment he vas under the light
and l had good sight of him..
A rather low, dark fellow, dressed in
the height of the fashion, yet some
what tlashily withal; not too foppish,
he was evidently a young gallant Of the
better class. He staggered somewhat
from wine, and carried a magnificent
breadth of shoulder, denoting consid-
cradle strength. This a my mental
catalogue from the glimpse 1 caught.
BY this time, the lady had got rather
within the range of the light. the man
came straight at her, and, to my
amazement, despite her struggles,
seized and kissed her. This was before
I could reach them.
l was upon him in IN instant. An
othe!s I'D he had reeled back against
the wall, drawing his weapon as he fell.
He recovered his feet. my blade met.
each paused, we'll knowing the deadly
lottery of such IA duel in the dark.
The lady ran Up as nearly between
US as she dared and besought:
"Oh, Measures, Messires," she plucked
me by the sleeve. do not fight; there
is no need of it."
Get out of the way you impudent
hussy," he commanded. TN kill your
meddling lover, like the varlet hound
he is"
l went at him in earnest. His further
insult to her made every muscle a cord
of steel. 1 500 found this no mere
sport. for the fellow was Il thorough
master OF his weapon. j was IL trifle
the taller and had a longer reach; this,
with my awe blade. gave me we'll
the vantage. Besides I had touched no
wine, and my nerves We're steady.
However, I a the light full in my
face, n he was not slow to see the an
N~,,a ~ -, ~~l xA-N 7 --.~- -~,1 i
not maintain a fight for long, so I
pressed him sternly and the bright
sparks flew. Backwards. step by step.
he Tetreated, until he had almost
reached the door of which he came. I
burst not withdraw my eyes from his,
yet I had seer the lady run swiftly up
the inner stairs, whether for help or
for other ASA sstns / could not guess.
Still back, ever pressing him desper-
ately back, the fight went, and he
stood again inside the door. at the very
foot of the tair. Now every advan-
taSe was mine, for he vas we'll withir
the glow Of the lamp. every movement
distinctly visible, while / yet stood in
darkness.
For the sake CT mercy, my lord,
come quick 1t was the girls voice
at the head OF the stairs; there they
are. They viii desist if you command
it" And l heard the heavy tread Of two
men coming down the stairs. a lighter
step behind them. My DOT touched
something which lay in the dense stad-
ow of the doorstep. 1t felt soft, a pack
age Of some kind. Then L remember
seeing something fall from the cloak
of my adversary forgotten in the heat
of the fray. l placed my foo upon il.
What quarrel is this, gentlemen?
Put by your swords?"
The voice was that of a mar accus-
toned to obedience. My antagonist
stood entirely upon the defensive; L
stepped back a pace and we rested at
ease. He leaned heavily against the
balustrade; his breath came hard: L
could see he WIS nearly spent, SO fu-
rious had been our short contest. Ills
face showed, besides, the flush of too
much wine, or D~crchance l had not been
so
What mean you, gentlemen? Your
quarrel?''
Il did III kiss the wench, this
fellow set upon Inc in the dark
Aye, my lord" l replied stoutly, ac-
! cordlng to the stranger the respect he
seemed to command. "A wanton insult
to this lady whom. + met unprotected
in the streets, and saw her safely to
her gate. Who she is, or what, 1 know
not"
The two men looked at each other,
from the girl to me, then burst into
such peals of incredulous laughter as
reused my anger again. Even my late
foe Joined in, but family.
Would either of you, my lords, be
pleased to take the matter up?' for /
was hot indeed.
But they only laughed the more. The
lady looked much confused.
Continued Next Week.)
New York Society.