The Grit-advocate., 1905-02-10

NO why" ans ~ered niunty. Idle
curiosity. as you will
Curiosity" he echoed. A yoyn.
ans excuse. And what pray 10 that
doing in your pocket"
He touched with his sword, wbie,
ne had been playing with since hi,
advent into the room. the heel of the
slipper sticking from where / hac
dropped it.
My property. boush. and paid for. -
| answered jeaiously.
Bought from a thieving maid" he
said while he glanced scornfully al
her. who with her handkerchief to
her face seemed doubled up with fears
and tears. Since you value it SO
highly. perhaps you'll not mind fight
ing for it,"
You see that I am unarmed," / re.
piled with a shrug.
That can be soon remedied," ne
said.
He stepped to the wall and took 3,
rapier from the rack hanging there.
He held it out hilt to hilt with the
one that he had. measuring them.
You see they are alike" he said.
bowed and accepted the sword
l could do no less.
Surely not here?" made one
more protest.
"Oh, lud!" the maid cried.
Silence. you have brought it upon
YOURSELF he said to her. To me with
a bow, ''Tis as good a place as an-
other"
/ intended to lesson him quickly
and have done with the business
which conferred no honor upon me.
Back and forth we swept. l would
not forget he was her brother!
| soon found that his slender wrists
were like steel, and that he was as
agile as cat. l was warm parrying
his dexterous thrusts and sought an
opportunity to end the affair with as
little harm as j.! could; but fighting
gets into the blood when you have
bright point before you and We both
fought as though we loved it.
had him against the wall-he was
almost tired out-his breath came in
gasps- | looked into his face with
a half laugh before giving him the
pink which should stop proceedings.
God! he had eyes like his sisters.
and the same daintily curved lips. 1t
put me of my guard for the brefest
second, but it was enough. Being a
youth of great quickness. he took ad,
vantage OF my momentary alteration.
| received thrust in the shoulder.
He lowered his sword.
First blood" cried the maid au.
thoritatively. 1T is enough"
Honor was satisfied The young
spark was smiling slightly, but his
face was as white as the lace hand.
kerchief he drew back and forth over
the cleaning length of his rapier, red
dening it.
"As the gentleman has paid twice
for the shoe in both blood and money,
| think, sir it belongs to him." said
the maid persuasively.
The youth shrugged his shoulders
while he muttered something about
its being an old thing, and conse-
quen,ly OF no account-a brothers
view.
Il am afraid. sir. that you are more
seriously wounded than you think"
he said. as he pointed to the dark spot
gradually enlarging on my shirt.
"A scratch; no more" hastily said.
Let me bind it up" begged the
maid.
Il pray you accept of the maids
services" said the youth: you will
find her an adept at all such tasks"
He gave out soft laugh.
Castle Drout will yet be your I'm.
doing, sir, I'm afraid" he then Oh.
served.
Evidently the youth Lad heard of
the other scratch had received from
the falcon. l replied rather roughly
as reached for my coat and put it
on:
1T is nothing. l assure you, sir.
bow before your superior handling OF
the rapier and-a pair OF blue eyes
eyes wonderfully like"
Like what, sir?" he snapped.
"Like-like-not in the world
but another pair of blue eyes" re.
piled. Il bid you good day. In Lon
don I may again be so fortunate as
to meet you"
(To be continued.)
MUSIC AS A THERAPEUTIC