Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-04-26
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against lis king!'.
There was Il little stir in the place,
q sort of waiting silence Then Il
young man arose in the back part of
the room and bowed gracefully. 1t
was NJ. Armand. and he held slender
stemmed glass which he filled.
"Mcssieurs, he said simply, 81 am
not of your country, nor am l of the
allegiance of your king. My country is
one far away, and it is one that has
learned of war to love Il soldier and a
brave man."
AS he spoke Henry's face lighted
with 4 great flash of surprise and
| pleasure. He did not see the white
and red changing in, his companions
check. did not note her uneven breath
nor the wonlrous beauty that came
softly courtesying i'll her eyes
The voice went on:
"But we CT iuy country know ore
American so wc!i-U-e know him be-
| cause it is against our own arms that
he has fought, before Duqucsnc. Mes
sieurs, l pledge you Il brave man.
COioiSi S1sV. So w tpu
Armand lifted LIS glass graveiy as
he finished and drank, and little
hushcd cheer ran around the room
One could not have ted from the speak
fr's face tl,at lie knew LIE had drunk
Elone. My Lord Fairfax had no glass;
but lie rose in Lis seat and bowed to
him.
The toast drunk, Armand set down
the glass with IL clash on TO the table.
His face became all at once set and
cold, and he stood very straight
Gone thing more, mass.curs," he said.
I'VE know i'll my country. We know
the courtesy. Cur positions know what
Is due 10 the gentleman of birth. And
thus'-he turned sharply upon Foy-
Il teach it to you-you dog of the ken
| nelw
With this he flung the glass full into
his face.
So unexpected had been theaction that
Anne gave Il little scream. unnoted IN
the stir across the sill, and Henry let
out u great oath of admiration.
Foy's countenance turned a devils,
| Armand bowed to Lord Fairfax and
then to Toy. Monsieur" he asked the
latter, sis the alrront to your lilling?"
| "Sdcath and wounds!" raved Foy
in a fury. I'VE need so no farther
than here TO settle this! 1 killed a man
at Minden for less"
The old baron got up, with the aid of
his negro body servant, breathing heav-
lily. "Srs,' he protested, 'lct there
be no bloodshed, l beg of your
"AIy lord." Armand's voice was quiet
and contained, and it was all he said.
Lord Fairfax stopped short, looked at
him a moment, swallowed and stood
still.
Rolph came lurching forward, his
shifty eyes sobered by the outcome.
| Gentlemen" lie cried, "clear the room
and send the servants away. We shall
| need to confer"
The baron crossed the room at this
and held out his hand. II beg of you"
he said, 'to honor me by your presence
at Greenway Court tomorrow"
Il thank you, my lord" said Armand
Then the old man, with his head up,
erect and leaning ON his servants arm,
passed out to his chariot. He knew
very well that Foy was reputed to be
the best swordsnan in the colonies.
"Have you friend who will server"
asked Rolph. Armand shook his head.
AYE" said Henry fercely, and,
swinging his long legs over the sill,
he strod11nto the room. IF you will
allow me, sir!''
Anne waited to hear no more, but
ran back through the courtyard to the
door. Her eyes, blinded by tears,
scarce saw the great, gaunt figure till
she felt his hand upon her hair.
"You here, my dear, i'll Winchester?"
he said gayly. you must ride to Green
way Court. We shall be blithe for
you! have just invited a guest for
tomorrow"
Looking up as she held his hand,
Anne saw two drops-little shining
miniatures Of his big heart-roll down
his cheeks.
ITO be continued.