Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-03-24
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SO NEARLY LOST
X
Continued.
BIZ CzAEz~ka aARvI0H

raised his hat, and BERTHE did the same.
and embarrassed and drawing the
count to one side engaged in earnest
conversation with him. BERTHE stood
with folded arms, his eyes on the
ground, and mis- lips compressed. The
sight of Stuart Villiars seated on the
stone at the trunk of one of the stunt
ed trees had made him hot with the
desire for vengeance which had kin
died within him the moment he met
him at the Casino Gardens Ida Ire
velyan should be avenged that day
unless his aim should be destroyed by
the passion that seemed to set every
nerve throbbing.
AS for Stuart Villiars, he sat watch
ing his companions with rather grave
air; as a matter of fact he neither saw
nor regarded them. He was thinking
at that moment of Deercombe cliffs
and joan, the girl he had loved and
lost. Better thus" he sai' to MIN
self for the hundredth time that morn
ing. Life is bitter mockery; ii is
LlIne l nad cone WIN IL.
The count came forward.
81 am afraid that Lord Dewsbury is
still resolved TO withhold any apology,
my lord, therefore,"
81 am ready" said Lord Villiars.
Fairfax and the count paced out the
ground. and the Two men walked to
their places and faced each other
A CLEAN of passionate anger shot
from Bertie's eyes as he fixed them
sternly upon the pale. wan face oppo-
site him; but Stuart Villiars returned
his gaze with calm, unrufIled gravity
Now" said the count in an under.
toone, as he handed the pistol to Stu
art Villiars. Aim low; keep youI
finger seady. You are partly shadow
ed by the trees" he added In a quick
whisper.
Lord Fairfax took out his red sill
handkerchief and walked to littl,
distance, so that they might see him
then, raising the handkerchief, pauset
while he could count three.
At that moment the two pen stoo;
with their pistols raised.
The count saw faint smile, hal
bitter. half sad, cross the face of his
principal. ard as the handkerchief fel
he noticed. with horror that Stuar
Villars had raised his pistol towards
the sky
He had aimed above Lord Dews
Lury's head.
An exclamation of amazement and
annoyance burst from his lips as the
two sharp reports rang across the
plain.
At the same moment a cry broke
from Lord Fairfax-a cry of Mortified
warning
At the second the handkerchief had
dropped, a woman had sprung from
amongst the trees and thrown herself,
without a word, upon Stuart Villiars'
breast.
The men stood for an instant para
lyzed and motionless: then the count
dashed forward to the spot where Stu
art Villiars stood holding the lifeless
woman in his arms
Great Heaven! What is it?-what
has happened? Is she killed." de
manded Lord Fairfax
White and speechless. Stuart VII
liars bent ever her and turned hel
face to the sky
II was Miss Mazurka
BERTHE came up with a quick stride
white to the lips and trembling with
dread and remorse
who is it?" he said hoarsely. "Is--
is He could say no more. but
stood staring stupidity from one to the
other.
Stuart Nllliars had sunk on his
knees, holding the girl in his arms
while the count poured some brandy
between her lips.
"rhis--this is an unfortunate
contretemps, gentlemen" he said
with intense gravity, "Milords, 70,
had better seek p place of safety; you
can do no good by remaining / an
something of surgeon, and will under
take the responsibility. In the nam,
Of Heaven, leave the place: make fol
Spain, Lord villiars and will see
the matter through"
BERTHE shook his head
Il shall remain" he said. huskily.
And l." echoed Lord Fairfax.
Tae count shrugged his shoulders
Tut, tut! This-this Is serious
gentlemen" he said. "A duel between
two men is one thing, but the death OF
q lady is another. Fly while there's
time"
Hush" muttered Stuart Viriars
"she Is not dead" and he pointed to {
line of red trucking from under III,
sleeve of her dress.
Thank Heaven," murmured tn,
count. "she is alive, Gentlemen"-ad
dressing Lord Fairfax and Bertie-"gC
into the city and send a carriage LOSE
no time. Every moment may be-
precious,"
Lord Fairfax started off at a run
but BERTHE still remained.
The count ripped up the sleeve will
his scissors, laying bare the whit,
arm, and found the wound. After ;