The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1904-01-20

lie nau not long 10 wait TOT an
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 1t
was presumably the homeward road.
Rupert followed quickly, but Neville
was a 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 fun
moon. Rupert put spurs to his horse.
passed Neville at a swift gallop, then
suddenly wheeling, came at a rush
towards him, catching his bride as
they met.
you will alight. have a quarrel to
settle with you"
ION wnat ground?"
"Say IL is on the ground OF your
mistress. am Earl de Wicks friend"
Il will not fight on such pretense.
My mistress would deny me IL | 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 thought so. You are a rob-
Der, II seems. But | warn you that I
am good swordsman."
Heaven and hell! What do 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 a lonely
road, partially shaded with great trees.
Not human habltation 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
malities was no impedimenL to the
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 large tree.
Not needing the impediment, Rupert
made 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 IL first,
and placed his foot upon 1t. Rupert
stood still and bowed gravely. He
was at Nevihe's mercy, and. he indi.
Gated his knowledge of this TACT by
the prouu stiffness of his attitude.
1T was en- accident" said Neville.
and an accident is Gods part in any
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:
It's no disgrace to take life from
one so gallant and generous, and I
am glad that can repay the favor OF
your clemency;" then he almost wills.
pered in Cluny's ear three words, and
the young, man started vlslbly, and
with great haste united his horse.
1--WE would better change horses"
said Rupert; mine is a 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
ton and goodwill had taken it's place.
Neville fastened forward, as he had
been advised. and Rupert returned to
Paris. He knew Matilda was expect
ing him, and he pictured to himself
her disappointment and anxiety at his
non-appearance. Yet he was physically
exhausted, and as soon as he threw
himself upon a couch he forgot all his
WEAKNESS and all his anxieties in a
deep sleep.
Early next morning he went to Ma
tilda.
How could you so cruelty disap
point mel" she cried. "You see now
that our time is nearly gone; in a
few hours we must part, perhaps for
ever"
my dearest, loveliest Mata, was