Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-05-19
CHAPTER MI.
CHAPTER MI.
with swoRDs-AN HOUR AFTER SUN
RIsE!"

|
RIsE!"
The words are deeply significant and
Sandy clutches his comDaDiOn'S arm;
he look exchanged between the two
denotes that they understand the true
inwardness of this affair; 1t hardly
needs the glance they take into tn.
mess-room to corrobOrate their suspi
cions.
1t is a scene they will never for
get as long as they live. a dozen
Or more officers and gentlemen have
been Mt the table; the cloth Is removed
| md cigars and wine served. At one
! side Of the Colonel stands Mynheer
Toe, the hero of Khartoom; he holds
an empty wine glass in his hand,while
upon his face can be seen contemp,
tuous look. His eyes are bent across
| the table.
Nearly opposite to him is the baron
With snowy handkerchief he wipes
! the wine from his face, 1t has also
! discolorcd his shirt-front where ll"zrs
a wonderful diamond, worth small
| fortune
| Sandy observes his face and discov.
ars hardly trace of anger there; in
! deed, from the sardOnic smile one
| would imagine that this incident Is
| lust what the Russian duelist has
played for.
Returning the soiled kcrchicf to his
| pocket, he cody tosscS his card across
! the table in the direction of Mynhecr
| Joe.
"YOu will speedily hear from me,
sir" he says, with cutting emphasis.
"The sooner the better baron, Re
member. leave on Saturdays steam
err" returns the American, while the
officers look astoundcd; for brave men
though they are. there is not one
among them who would care to be in
Joes shoes.
The Russian bows and leaves the
room; he can no longer remain at the
table with the man who has thus pub.
licly insulted him, and as Mynhecr
Joe is the guest of the occasion. it he.
comes his duty to depart from the
mess table.
Sandy is joined by one of the Off,
.ers, n fine young fellow, who has
aiken quite n fancy to the war CORE.
pondent. The latter declares it will
)e his pleasant duty to see Hans
Fletcher bccom" general some day.
de has the greatest faith in his dash.
ng qualities.
Tell us. how did this ugly affair
zone about!" he asks, eagerly. foI
hose at the mess-table appear to have
forgotten 1t in listening to Joe's glow.
lng story Of Gordons death.
"Willingly-what little l know" re.
plies the British officer. II was at
.he other end of the table and failed
70 distinctly catch the full meaning
If the barons insult"
'Then he brought 1t on purposcly,
rs supposed"
1--WE suspect rs much. though his
:eason is not plain. Perhaps you gen.
.lemen know it,"
THE same old story-rvals in love"
"Ah! That's the truth Of it, eh?"
"Was the baron's remark about Miss
Tanner"
II am glad to say it was not. From
the little l heard. believe it con.
cerned Mynheer Joe's country--some
insulting aluson to the hag that COW
ers our cousins across the water"
Good! And Joe resented it. as any
true American would, no matter If his
death was foregone conclusion says
Sandy, hotly.
but, you see. it's n serious thing
to bring on a row at the Coloncl's
mess table"
"And still more serious thing to be
publicly insulted there. The Colonel
should have seen to it that only gen
tlemen were invited and not the mis-
erable hound who thinks his title of
baron can cover up all his inlquities."
The lieutenant glances rather ncr-
vously around. hoping DO friend of
the baron would overhear what is be.
Ing said by the fiery little correspond.
ent. or there may be a double duel
on the taps.
Honestly, now. lieutenant. IL you
had been at the mess-table of Ger
man regiment, an invited and honored
guest, and this man should say cx
actly the same against your flag what
he did against our stars and stripes
what would have been your action:'
purSues Sandy.
The officer bites his military nous
tache.
Really, my dear fellow, you have
ne. There would be but one course
for me to pursue, and that to cast his
slur in his teeth, as n brave man like
Mynheer Joe has done
Exactly! / knew IT, Then blame
him no more, but rather honor his
daring. When this cur had given the
tnsult--what them"
Every eye was turned Oh Mynhcer
Joe. for we all understood what was
meant. l saw him shut his teeth hard,
but only n slight frown passed over
his bronzed face. Leaning over the
table, he looked the baron full In the
Eye and said calmly: i return tho