The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1905-02-17

lie was in the hands, then, VI the
players, the lowest OF mankind. 1t
seemed to him that he had touched
the bottom Of degradation He did
not know what was in store for him.
They led him on 20 the stage. and
here one Of them. whom he knew now
to be Baptiste himself. faced him. M
lc Marquis" said he, there is little
need OF words This afternoon there
was one white thing among us-you
have soiled It You have done Just
what We all have vowed should never
pass unavenged She was the honor
NJ ny cumpany-you have sullied IT
She was its luck-you have broken 1t
Monsieur. this afternoon you struck
me in the face; but 1t is not for blow
but for a kiss that now strike you
thus"
lie laughed as he wiped from his
knuckles the blood OF NJ lie Marquis
lip 1t is not blue, after all" said
he. but the words were lost in the roar
OF ribaIdry and rage that burst, at the
signal OF that blow. from the other
five They were players, and the
things they said and did TO NJ. lie Mar
qulS can hardly be described Then
one drew his sword and cut him On tho
knee Dance, mountebank! cried he,
and VI L. Marquis needs must dance,
barcfuoIcd and barelegged, ut which
the men Toared with laughter, and
prcked him with swords TO new ef-
forts one crept behind him. "A kiss
for kiss said he. and his teeth met
In NJ le Marquis ear "A hug for
hug, cried another, gripping him till
his ribs cracked Sing cat!" laughed
another. cutting q skiB-deep cash in
his throat Thn end came soon.
bleeding rom % scratches, worn out
and utterly hsCrared NJ lie Marquis
fell to IN" ground In y strong mans
agony OF tears.
In flash he was up again. swine"
be cried THAT you mean TO XIII me
know. Let me XIII a few OF you be
fore ! pass"
1T was our intention, Monsieur"
said BaptIsto. or rather command
laid upon ms that you should try My
children. give NJ. lie Marquis his sword
and some clothes
Two Of the players led him into the
trying room, and there they bathed
his wounds and dressed him in u clean
shirt and hose As he stepped on to
the stage again he stopped dead
Saints he cried, have they sent
the devil to fight me?"
For he saw new, a seventh figure
before him, and one that appeared to
have no face. no hair. The whole
head was concealed In u tightAftting
black cap. and only the eyes flashed
through two holes This. said NJ lie
Marquis is but murder How can |
fight a man whose face I cannot
watch" Hut there was no help for II.
The figure of his asSailant was that Of
a perfect swordsman The long,
straight limbs and supple. graceful body
were Hike steel springs NJ le Marquis
had met his match and more Up and
down the stage they fought, the splen-
did. lir,less form Of his opponent ever
pressing. pressing The blades flick
cred and screamed, and the six watch
"rs stood by with sword In hand and
torches held high NJ lie Marquis
Hword-arm had been pinked, his
strength was falling and there was
swmmiuL In his head He had no
more desire 10 Kill, nor even to live;
only for his own honor. to make a
hrht to the finish, and then die brave
ly at the hands OF the best swordsman
he had ever crossed steel with
NJ lie Marquis sword Jew from his
hand and cattored on the floor of the
booth He threw back his head and
stood waiting for the death-struke.
Through haze OF exhaustion and
pain he saw his opponent stand hest
ratlng saw the six play ers spring for
ward with uplifted swords. saw the
blade that should have pierced his
heart turned In fury against the
players and heard shrill voice cry,
Back you shall not touch HIM"
Then he fell In a dead faint
anu az lie Tell, his opponent, with
another cry, tore the mask from head
and face A shower of golden hair,
suddealy released, ripped down to her
waist hair that an instant later made
a pillow for the head of NJ lie Marquis,
as she Graded It tendcrly on her knee,
sObbing the while, "Oh, look at me!
speak to me! speak TO mel"
He opened his eyes at last For a
few seconds he stared blankly. Then
in amazement he murmured. "You"
She bowed her head, sobbing like a
child NJ. lie Marquis got painfully to
his feet He bowed low.
"Mademoiscllc." he said. this after
noon | nsulted you. beg your for
giycness
She looked at him through streaming
eyes. 1T was given, Monsieur, from
my heart when you fell"
Once more he spoke. "Mademoiselle,
this evening you have taken, and re-