Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-06-09

forces n sneer upon his lips and ap'
rcarS unconcerned.
Again he advances, to adopt an en-
tirely new system of tactics, when
the American meets as becomes the
favoritc pupil of Monsieur Duval, the
famous swordmaster of all Paris
The baron is amazed to find that
each of his little tricks is met in rapid
order. He gains no advantage. If
Joe were surrounded by wall of steel
he could not be more secure apparent
l., from the onslaught Of his antagon.
iSt
On his part. the American admits
that never has he met one who could
WELD the blade with such power ana
skill MS this Russian duclliSt. He Is
kept busy rcpelling attacks. and when
he finds an opportunity to max"
lun.r on his own account IL Is met ana
parricd by the clever work of the bar
on
Mr.. Grimes looks on and smiles: he
links he can afford to. knowing well
'nut surprise will yet t1mc upon
the Russian. AS for the French cap.
tain he rubS his hands together in
great glee: such spectacle as this ap
pcals to everything that Is martial in
his composition. He forgctS that tw"
men are battling for life, and only
secs the marvellous skill brought tn
bear in manipulating the swords All
the while frrvid EXPLANATIONS cScap"
him. as il he cannot keep his feelings
under control: he is like a KEITH" of
boiling watcr-whrn the heat reaches
Il certain stage he bubbles over.
"Sarrc. Look at that lungc. Mag
inefficient. And the return: CHAR
munt, 1t is worth losing n nights
sleep to gaze upon such lovely play.
Mon ami observe tho blades kiss and
twlnc about each other. Ny friend
has mot noble adversary. Mon Di"u'
such coolnnSS. such wonderful arms,
| have not seen in all my life, | am
proud to say Americans are the friends
IF the French. But It Is one great
pity he must 60 dawn. TIL" baron
tires them all ont his arm is mHd" Of
.tr"l | trust 1t will only hr y flesh
wound rarhIru. | should hate to
50" that brave man die
Thus h" mutters and cX"laims IN
starts. as he watches the fierce on.
.agcm"nt. Mr., Grimes hears him. Mr.,
Grimes does not share his apprch"n-
sion one iota. lie simply utt"rS in the
Frcn"hman's ear the one word:
wait"
Meanwhile the second bout between
he two mon has proven as frliti"SS
Is th" first. As if through mutual
consent they spring back to recover
themselves.
Time" says the Frrnchmam.
They rest upon their swords, and
lnring this brief interval keen eyes
are upon them. The French captain
contrasts the two. He has declared
that the baron, in the past has won
more than one victory h"rauSr Of his
wonderful endurance. which has en-,
ablcd him 10 wear his antagonist out
To his surprise. he now discovers that
the Russian has put forth such ire
mcnlouS force in the attempt to beat
down Jon's guard that he shows more
signs of exhaustion than his antagcn
list
What does Mynlr"r Joe do. rs il to
show his contempt for the man against
whom he is ptted but take u cigar
and place it. unliShtcd. between his
teeth.
The baron's eyes fash ligh'rings
when Ne secs this act. He realizes
hat the mistake of his life has com"
upon him When Mynhccr Joe en-
tered Cairo the Russians star began
to decline. 1t is now going down
with rush.
"Rcady" he cries raising his sword.
The American meets him half way,
and Cor the third time th" weapons
clash together. Now the baron rX.
b .usts his rrpetory Of curious strokes
and tricks, hoping to discover some
weak point about the others defense.
In this he signally fails.
As vet he has felt no twinge of fear
TRUSTING in his own skill to defend
himself. If it comes to the worst, the
duel can he called a draw. and he
sucks consolation out of that fact,
while not omtting to keep close
watch for the opening he still hopes
to discover.
\ new phase in the duel is about to
take place. what Mr.. Grimes has been
50 anXiously awaiting. He wonders
why Mynherr Joe delays so long, and
can only lay it to that strange feeling
of fine humOr which causes eat to
play with a mouse.
Ii comes at last.
Joe springs back n pace, passes his
sword from bis right hand to his left,
and is Mt the |, lssian like tiger. His
trpnchnnt blade flashes before the
b"ron's eyes, and or, of wonder
and dismay is forced from the latter's
lins. when he realizes new arm is
matched against his wearied one: that
the marvellous attack must now j."
met IN different manner than be
fore, since it proceeds from the left
shoulder.
Mr.. Grimes hears a groan beside
him. 1t is the French officer who