The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-04-22


over the mans face. and he knows
the duel is already decided. For the
first time perhaps in his life, the Rus
sian feels the cold clutch Of fear at
his heart. Once a man allows this
feeling to come over him in duel. his
chances are gone. At the same time,
ver-confidence is just about as fatal
to success. The only safe course is
line between. cautious and wide
awake. ready to do his best and leave
the rest.
1t becomes apparent that the baron
weakens. His defense is no longer
the marvellous one he put up while
Mynheer Joe continued the right-hand
movement These flashes from the
uncouth side dazzle him. He has
never been drilled to meet the attack
Of left-handed swordsman, and finds
his brain unable to successfully cope
with the new problems thus sudden.
ly presented for solution.
The baron is lost.
He might still save himself by
springing back and sullenly refusing
to continue the engagement with a
man who has such a wonderful adj
vantage over him, in that his left arm
is as dexterous as his right.
Perhaps such thought flashes into
the mind of the Russian: he is human,
and life is sweet to him; but he does
not take advantage of the idea. Pride
rises against it. He comes from
race that would meet death rather
than appear coward.
So he battles on, doing his best to
meet the attacks of his foe. He no
longer hopes to assault In turn-his
arm is too tired for that. He suffers
eXcruciating pain every time he makes
a move. More than once can Mynheel
Joe. If he chooses, drive his blade
through the body of his foe. He let's
The chances slip by; perhaps the time
may come when he will regret this
mercy, but he does not like to have the
blood of a white man on his hands.
AT last the opportunity he looks fol
comes; there is quick movement.
SuuueA ely, Tile SWOkd VI LILAC
American protrudes through the right
arm of the baron at the shoulder.
Lord Carmorgan has been avenged
with the weapon he handled In vain!
CHAPTER XIV.
THE BARON Is SATISFIED.
With another quick movement the
American withdraws his sword and
steps back pace to avoid any pun
ishment, but the baron is In no con
dition to deal such. He sinks back.
and only that the French captain
springs forward and catches the
baron in his arms he must fall in a
heap.
There is no sign of fainting, only
exhaustion. He stands there. sustained
in part by his second, looking at the
first man in all the world who has
proved his master, and the CLEAN OF
those eyes can be termed nothing less
than diabolical.
Mynheer Joe leans on his sword and
coolly surveys his antagonist. Then
he calls for match and applies it te
the cigar which he has held between
his teeth all this while. 1t is. evident
that he has no fear of the future.
The tableau remains unbroken fol
perhaps full minute.
"Timev' says Mr.. Grimes clearly.
Mynheer Joe, still smoking calmly.
elevates his sword. The plucky baron
makes move to follow suit, when his
second. the French captain, throws
himself between.
Mon Dieu! You would not finish
this affair with murder, comrades? 1t
was agreed that disabling wound
would end 1t. See, my principal has
no longer any arm. What served him
so well is now almost as useless as a
dead member. You will call it quits,
or l shall offer myself his substitutew
he cries with commendable enthusi.
assn and pluck. since he knows he Is
no match for the Yankee.
"On one condition" returns Mr.
Grimes, who also produces and lights
cigar. while the irrepressible San.
dy is scribbling away for dear life in
shorthand at the rate of a thousand
words minute, more or less.
"'Name 1t, monsieur"
1.-The baron provoked this duel by
an insulting allusion to the American
flag. 1t has had trial by arms, and
the decision rests against him. Let
him frankly apologize, not to my
friend only but to Americans every
where, and 1 am sure Mynheer Joe
will be satisfied as well as myself"
/. The proposition Is reasonable.
"Parbleu! 1 see no reason why It
should not be done In common justice,
since 1t has been decreed that my
principal was in the wrong. 1t was
grand sight though; superb spectacle
that will haunt me always. What
say you, monsieur lie baron-do you
withdraw your allusion to the flag
under which this gentleman servesT
The Russian smiles.