The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-02-19

sun ever shines. Further than this
could see nothing except the tall gray
buildings which hut in every side AM
this wall in front. That door once
be no easy egress. I~nstincuyely I held
back
monsieur is afraid?" she inquired
then tossed buck her head, and laughed
such o low d~isdainful. mean laugh, as
Aired my every nerve to hear. I hest
tated no longer. Let come what will
let the governors errand look to itself
for no man or could ever laugh
at me like that.
Holding my blade at easy command,
I stepped inside. Immediately the door
closed. and the rasping Of the key told
me 1t was securely locked az before.
Then came regret, but came too late.
What l had 80 foolishly commenced. ]
must now see finished. The cup had
been taken In hand and the dice must
be thrown.
AZ we came. I followed her again,
though at much closer range We
crossed the yard d%iagonally, across the
broken Npanes. bits Of casks. wine
bottles and other refuse scattered
about. I liked not the aspect of the
place. As the girl was about to enter
q door leading inside the building, a
man came down h inner stairs and
passed out. coming in our direction
Fol the moment hi was under the light
and I had good sight Of him.
A rather low. dark fellow, dressed in
the height Of the fashion. yet some
what nashily wtthal: not too foppi.h.
he was evidently a young gallant OF the
better class. He staggered somewhat
from wine, and carried . 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 h range OF the light; the man
amazement,. despite her struggles,
seized and Kissed her. This was before
]. could reach them.
I was upon him in en- instant. An
othee nd 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 che dared and besought:
"Oh. Measures. Measures" h plucked
me by h sleeve. d not fight: there
Is nc need OF It,"
Get out Of the way you ,mpudent
meddling lover. like the varlet hound
he Is"
I went at him In earnest His further
insult to her made every muscle a cord
Of steel. I 500 found this no mere
sport, for the fellow vas a thorough
master of his weapon. i was a trifle
the taller and had a longer reach: this.
with my heavier blade. gave me we'll
the vantage. Besides I had touched no
wine, and my nerves were steady.
However. I had the light full in my
face, and he was not slow to see the an
noyance 1t caused me. I knew 1 could
not maintain a fight for long. SO I
NraSHnA Ht-o np,r1 ND <h1 r@.l
sparks few. Backwards, step by step,
he retreated, until he had almost
reached the door of which he anne. I
burst not withdraw my eyes from his,
yet I a seen the lady run swiftly up
the inner stairs, whether for help or
for other assassins l could not guess.
Sttll back, ever pressing him desper-
ately back, the fight went. and he
stood again inside the door, at the very
foot OF h stair. Now every advan-
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 will desist II you command
1t" And I heard the heavy tread of two
men coming down hi stairs. q lighter
step behind them. My foot touched
So11lSSitAtS WHICH lay III the QeIiSe SItd0-
ow OF the doorstep. It felt soft. q pack
age Of some kind. Then 1 remember
seeing something fall from the cloak
OF my adversary forgotten in the heat
of the fray. I placed my foot upon it.
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 came hard: I
could see he was nearly spent. SO fu-
rious had been our short contest. His
face showed, besides, the flush Of too
much wine, or perchance I had not been
SO fortunate.
What mean you. gentlemen Your
Quarrel?"
Il did but kiss the wench, and this
fellow set upon me in the dark"
AYE. my lord" I replied stoutly. ac-
cording to h stranger the respect he
seemed to command. "a wanton insult
to this lady whom I met unprotected
in the streets, and saw her safely to
not"
The two men looked at each other,
from the girl to me. then burst into
such peals Of tncredulous 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 up2" for /
was hot indeed.
But they only laughed h more. The
lady looked much confused.
CONTINUED Next Weekly
New York Society.
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