The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-04-01
CHAPTER XII.


with swoRDs-AN HOUR AFTER SUN
RIsEm
| The words are deeply significant and
| Sandy clutches his companions arm;
| the look exchanged between the two
| denotes that they understand the true
inwardness of this affair; it hardly
needs the glance they take into the
mess-room to corroborate their suspi
cions.
1t is a scene they will never for
get as long as they live. A dozen
Or more officers and gentlemen have
been at the table; the cloth is removed
and cigars and wine served. At one
side of the Colonel stands Mynheer
Joe the hero of Khartoom; he holds
an empty wine-glass in his hand, while
upon his face can be seen a contemp-
tuous look. His eyes are bent across
the table.
Nearly opposite to him is the baron.
With snowy handkerchief he wipes
the wine from his face; it has also
liscolored his shirt-front where blazes
a wonderful diamond, worth small
fortune.
Sandy observes his face and discov-
ers hardly a trace of anger there, in
deed, from the sardonic smile enc
would imagine that this incident is
Just what the Russian duelist has
played for.
Returning the soiled kerchief to- his
pocket, he cody losses his card across
the table in the direction of Mynheer
Joe.
"You will speedily hear from me.
SIR" he says, with cutting emphasis.
''The SOONER the better, baron! Re-
member, ISfeave on Saturdays steam
err" returns the American, while the
officers look astounded; for, brave men
though they are, there is not one
among them who would care to be in
Joe's shoes.
The Russian bows and leaves the
room; he can no longer remain at the
table with the man who has thus pub
licly insulted him, and as Mynheer
Joe is the guest of the occasion, it be-
comes his duty to depart from the
mess-table.
Sandy is joined by one of the Off
.ers, a fine young fellow, who has
aiken quite fancy to the war CORE
Ipondent. The latter declares it will
De his pleasant duty to see Hans
Fletcher become general some day.
He. has the greatest faith In his dash.
hg qualities.
"Tell us, how did this ugly affair
come about?" he asks, eagerly, for
hose at the mess-tabIe appear to have
forgotten it in listening to Joe's glow.
ing story Of Gordon's death.
"Willingly-what little l know" re-
| plies the British officer. II was at
he other end of the table and failed
| 70 distinctly catch the full meaning
If the barOn'S insult"
'Then he brought it on purposely,
as 1 supposed"
1--WE suspect as much, though his
reason is not plain. Perhaps you gen
Aemen know it,"
'The same old story--rivals in love-"
"Ah! That's the truth Of it, eh?'
"Was the baron's remark about Miss
TannerT
Il am glad to say it was not. From
the little I heard. 1 believe it CON
cerned Mynheer. Joe's country-some
insulting allusion to the flag that COW
ers our cousins across the water"
Good! And Joe resented it, as any
true American would. no matter if his
death was a foregone conclusion" says
Sandy, hotly.
"But, you see, it's a serious thing
to bring on a row at the Coloners
mess-table."
"And a still more serious thing to be
publicly insulted there The Colonel
should have seen to it that only gen.
tlemen were invited and not the mis-.
cradle hound who thinks his title of
baron can cover up all his iniquities."
The lieutenant glances rather ner-
vously around. hoping no friend of
the baron would overhear what is be-
Ing said by the fiery little correspond.
ent. or there may be double duel
on the taps.
Honestly. now, lieutenant. If you
had been at the mess-table of a Ger,
man regiment, an invited and honored
guest, and this man should say ex.
actly the same against your flag what
he did against our stars and stripes
what would have been your action ::
pursues Sandy.
The officer bites his military nous
tache.
Really, my dear fellow, you have
uie. There would be but one course
for me to pursue. and that to cast his
slur in his teeth, as brave man like
Mynheer Joe has done"
Exactly | knew 1t! Then blame
him no more. but rather honor his
daring. When this cur had given the
insult-what then?"
Every eye was turned on MynhceI
Joe. for we all understood what was
meant. l saw him shut his teeth hard
but only slight frown passed ovci
his bronzed face. Leaning over the
| col h. ho~ R,.n d.. Al