Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-06-03

XVYHEN Lady Diana and Percy
WV quilted the box he, after
w conducting her to the Aare
Of Lady Brookwood, strobe
of into the Dark alleys, taking with
him not Kennaston, for the hopeless
youth, louted still by Diana, had gone
a-moOning by the rivers bank, but
company of valiant and merry gentle
men. all raised bit by the partaking
Of the famous Vauxhall punch, and to
them he confded sufficient Of his rea-
sons and intentions as made plain their
course to them as his friends, to Do
aught and all in their several powers
toward the promoting Of quarrel be-
twixt him and Sir Robin Mozart,
whom he would presently point out
to them az they should stroll, seeming
careless, the length Of the walk.
Thus, arm in arm, Sir Percy, Sill
Wyatt Lowell, his grace of Escombe
and Mr.. Jack Chalmers across the path
staggering with sticks and tassels
hanging, hats at cock, perfumed with
Venus oil, and most jocund of demean.
or, with Beau Brummel behind 'em
spying, waving his little muff and chat
ting with Lord WOotton and one OF
two more gay sparks. all disportine
themselves carelessly, but hits eased
for the drawing.
Just as they were nearing the wood.
en- lion Of Sir Robins tryst Lady Bid.
dy's shrek asSailed their ears, and Sir
Percy, thanking Providence for so op.
perfume an occurrence, which, not to
say that it was in any way premedi
tated, yet continued to ring out loud
er and louder even after Sir Robin had
ceased to pull at her mask string and
stood. held fast in her ladyship's stout
grasp, the very center Of a blaze of
light from fOotmen's fambeaux, they
and the masses pushing every way,
screaming and cursing.
Into the thick of this melee dashed
Sir Percy de Bohun, with his friends
on either side Of him.
But moment sufficed for him to
wrest the lady from her assailant and
to deliver her over to the care of Diana
and the duchess, who carried her,
swooning whether with laughter OF
emotion 'twould be difficult to set
DOWN, to the room.
In another second, taking his silver
fringed gloves from his pocket he
threw them into the masked face of
Sir Robin McTart.
The little baronet, who had both tenn
per and vanity, which brace now got
the upper hand Of his cowardice, and.
believing that Lady Peggy's eyes were
upon him. that Sir Percy was at the
bottom of the Thames, and with full
fOreknowledge that he could run away
before the meeting could be arranged,
caught the gloves as they struck and
flung them back into their owners COW
cred countenance.
''Take that, 'sdeathw squeaked Sir
Robin, now much the more valiant as
he beheld the vicar screwing his way
toward him through the excited crowds.
"Unmask and show yourself for who
you arew cried Percy, every one Of his
companions echoing:
"Unmask! Unmask! Unmask, or
we'll run vel"
Willingly" responded the trembling
gentleman from Kent, tugging at the
slip knot in his mask string.
II am Sir Robin Mozart! Who the
devil are you?"
II am Sir Percy de Bohunw replied
his opponent, as both masks came of
at the same instant and the two con-
fronted one another, staring with four
eyes that fairly popped in their sockets.
'Twould be hard to say which of
these two was the more astounded, al
though Sir Percy's amazement had
quite different flavor from the bar
onet's abject terror.
You! Sir Percy de Bohunw he
.Quavered, turning ashy pale. "Tll not
believe it! IT'S liev'
you! Sir Robin McTartw replied
Percy holly. Gentlemen" turning to
his friends, II pray you bear me out in
this. not to the exclusion Of my chal-
lenge Of this impostor, which holds
good until one or tother of US sheds
blood, but for the preservation Of the
honor Of valiant gentleman who is
not far of of us now. That this weazen
wretch may meet his dues. for not only
does he masquerade his face. but seeks
to usurp the character and name Of one
whom we all know to be both hand
some, brave and courageous"
Percy's blood runs high as he speaks
these generous words, while every soul
about him stands breathless, staring,
struck dumb with the singularity of
the episode.
But l am Sir Robin McTartw cries
the baronet, brandishing his weapon
with will, since there is none to op-
pose him, and the vicar, now, although
well nigh choked. not above ten yards
distant from him.
Tut. tut, sir. whoever you are" in
terposed Lord EscOmbe. Your games
up, and you'd better give your lies a
rest"
Hold" cries Sir Percy to Robin
whoever you are, I challenge you to
fight me ten minutes hence, yonder In
the open toward the river, and those
ten minutes my friends and I'll spend