Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-12-21

tAlC 0aA IL IR9k 11
Tonti realized his danger. for his foe,
with u%nrepressed hatred cleaning in
his eye, made for him as he stood I'M
armed and defenseless before him. 1t
was but a seconds duration, but
Tonti's thought flew back to the street
where they had met and he heard
again the voice he loved %cautioning
him against the treachery of the man
before him. He saw the loved eyes
yet gaze at him admiringly as
he met his death bravely and without
finching. Fully realizing the impos-
of escaping assassination, he
resolved not to shrink before his
.treacherous foe, SO with a look of con-
tempt in his eye and the words For
you, my Rose" in his heart he awaited
the impact of the deadly weapon.
Just as the end of his enemy's sword
vas about to enter his breast, the
clicking of other steel was heard and
the point was struck up harmlessly
in the air. Tonti's driver, who had
stood very near during the combat,
seeing his plight, had suddenly dropped
the cloaks he was holding, and, draw
ing a sword from the depths Of the
great-coat in which he was muffied,
had parted the blow. wretch" he
said, contemptuously, to the Comte de
Miron. Tonti with a spring recovered
his sword and returned to the attack.
Before, he had had but little heart in
the battle, meaning only to infict some
trifing wound, knowing that were he
involved in any mortal combat the
chances would be that Colbert would
seize that as a pretext for OBTAINING
him, despite the kings protection, and
La Sale would have to sail without
him. But now, blinded by the fury
aroused by the vile trick of his oppo-
nent, he attacked him with all his
skill and strength.
Before | count ten, M. lie Compile"
he said, slowly, you shall die" and
beginning to count each stroke. he
pressed his antagonist hard, reserving
a half-forgotten trick of the sword,
learned in Italy, for the final. The
Comte de Miron responded with equal
fury Of attack and defense, but as he
heard Tonti count SO confidently and
saw the smile of triumph on his face
he weakened, and the sacrilegious
charm he wore seemed to burn a bright
red spot in his chest as a sign to Tonti
where to strike.
"One!"
A spark flew between the blades.
"Two!"
The sword play became more furi
Gus.
"Three!"
The combatants shifted their posi-,
lions continuously.
"Four!!"
The breathing of the Comte de MSror
grew shorter and more rapid.
"Five!'
His thrusts became wilder and hi!
face flushed, in strong contrast with
the GOODNESS and precision Of his OPP
ponent.
"Six!"
A terrible oath escaped his lips az
Tonti calmly turned aside a quicl
stroke on which he had counted much
"Seven!"
His attack weakened, and he glanced
out of the corner of his eye to see i
Tonti's driver were ear enough TO
him to suddenly seize and pull tn
man in front of him to receive the ia
tai blow in his body, knowing tina
before Tonti could withdraw his swor(
he would be at the comte's mercy.
Eight"
The base plan was impossible o
execution, as the driver now stood ia
to one side. He then thought of es
cape by fight, gaining one of tn
horses and fleeing to the city. Their
were no seconds present to witnes
this cowardly action and he coul
easily bride the two drivers to dis
credit any version Tonti might give Q
the affair. This, too, he perceived wa
futile, as Tonti stood between him an
the road where the horses were stand
ing.
"Nine!"
All hope was now gone and a name
less terror seized him. That curse
charm burned still brighter over hi
heart. He vaguely thought of throw
ing away his sword and falling on hi
knees to implore mercy from his fot
Had this plan occurred to him whe
he was still himself, calm and reason
able, he might have done so, but nov
with his brain a-whirl and the shall
ing fear in possession of him, b
judged Tonti by his own standards {
honor and believed that he would i
turn assassinate him in cold bloc
even rs he had attempted to do hin
self but q short time before. His las
hope was gone. Perhaps the char
would save him yet.
"Ten!"
At the word Tonti executed til
stroke he had planned, his foes swor
W 10 " lSNJ ~ LIS OWh Wolu"pOll
running along inside his guard entere
his breast above the heart, and
sank to the ground with a groan, viii
a red stream gushed from his mout
and chest.
Dead dogs do not bite; still, tn
is bad work, mon ami; we must lea,
quickly" said a familiar voice; ar
Tonti, looking into the muffled face
his driver, recognized Pompon. B,
fore they could say anything furth,
the driver Of the other carriage rs
up and presented a note to Tonti.
was written in a feminine hand al
ran as follows:
The death Of the Compile de Miron W
be promptly avenged. You must flee
one without returning to the city. OBJ,
whatever the bearer of this note SUI
, gests.
1t was unsigned. Tonti was susp