Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1904-02-20

better class. He staggered somewhat
from wine, and carried a magnificent
breadth of shoulder, denoting consid-
cradle strength. This was my mental
catalogue from the glimpse I caught.
BY this time. the lady had got rather
within the range of the light; the man
came straight at her, and, to my
amazement, despite her struggles,
seized and kissed her. This was before
l could reach them.
/ was upon him in IN instant. An
othe. Sld he had reeled back against
the wall, drawing his weapon as he fell.
He recovered his feet, my blade met,
each paused, well knowing the deadly
lottery of such a duel in the dark.
The lady ran up as nearly between
us as she dared and besought:
"Oh, Measures, Measures" h plucked
me by the sleeve. do not fight; there
Is no need of It,"
Get out of the way you impudent
hussy," he commanded, IN kill your
meddling lover, like the varlet hound
he is"
1 went at him in earnest. His further
insult to her made every muscle a cord
Of steel. / soon found this no mere
sport, for the fellow was a thorough
master OF his weapon. / was a tritle
the taller and had a longer reach; this,
with my heavier blade, gave me well
the vantage. Besides / had touched no
wine, and my nerves were steady.
However, l had the light full in my
face, and he was not slow to see the an
noyance II caused me. / knew 1 could
not maintain a fight for long, so l
pressed MIN sternly and the bright
sparks few. Backwards, step by step,
he r~etreated, until he had almost
reached the door of which he came. i
burst not withdraw my eyes from his.
yet I had seen the lady run swiftly up
the inner stairs, whether for help or
for other assassins / could not guess.
Still back, ever pressing him desper-
ately back, the fight went, and he
stood again inside the door, ct the very
tage was mine, for he was well within
the glow OF the lamp, every movement
distinctly visible. while I yet stood In
darkness.
For the sake Of mercy. my lord,
come quick" 1t was the girls voice
at the head Of the stairs; there they
are. They viii desist If you command
It." And I heard the heavy tread OF two
men coming down the stairs, a lighter
step behind them. My foot touched
something which lay In the n a
ow Of the doorstep. 1t felt soft, a pack
age Of some kind. Then / remember
seeing something fall from the cloak
OF my adversary forgotten In the heat
Of the fray. ! placed my foot upon 1t:
What quarrel Is this, gentlemen
Put by your swords?"
The voice was that OF a man accus-
toned to obedience. My antagonist
stood entirely upon the defensive; /
stepped back a pace n We rested at
ease. He leaned heavily against the
balustrade; his breath Can1e hard; i
could see he was nearly spent, go fu-
rious had been our short contest. His
face showed, besides, the flush of too
much wine, or perchance / had not been
SO fortunate.
what mean you. gentlemen Your
quarrel?"
II did but kiss the wench, and this
fellow set upon me In the dark
AYE, my lord" / replied stoutly, ac-
Cording to the stranger the respect he
seemed to command. "a wanton insult
to this lady whom / met unprotected
in the streets, and saw her safely to
her gate. Who she is. or what, know
not"
The two men looked at each other,
from the girl to me-, then burst into
such peals of incredulous laughter as
reused my anger again. Even my late
foe Joined In, but family.
Would either of you my lords, be
pleased to take the matter up?" for 1
was hot indeed.
But they only laughed the more. The
lady looked much confused.
Continued Next Week.)