The Glenwood post., 1905-02-11

NO why" answered bluntly. idle
curiosity, as you will
Curiosity" he echoed. "A WON
ans excuse. And what pray is that
doing in your pocket?"
He touched with his sword, which
he had been playing with since his
advent into the room, the heel of the
slipper sticking from where | had
dropped it.
My property, bought and paid for, +"
l answered jeaiously.
Bought from a thieving maid" he
said, while he glanced scornfully at
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 | am unarmed," l re.
piled with shrug.
That can be soon remedied," no
said
He stepped to the wall and took a
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
| could do no less.
Surely not here?" | rlade one
more protest.
"Oh, ludl" 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 | would
not forget he was her brother!
| soon found that his slender wrists
were like steel, and that he was as
agile as a cat. | was warm parrying
his deXterous thrusts and sought all
opportunity to end the affair with as
| little harm as | could; but fighting
gets into the blood when you have a
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
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 off my guard for the briefest
second, but it was enough. Being a
| youth of great quiclness. he took sd
| vantage of my momentary alteration
| received a 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
| quently of no account-a brothers
| view
Il am afraid, sir, that you are more
SelIouSlS "OuHueu tHdn you tnlnk,
! he said, as he pointed to the dark spot
| gradually charging 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 vii
find her an adept at all such tasks"
| He gave out soft laugh
Castle Drout will yet be your TN
doing. sir, I'm afraid he then OBJ
| served.
Evidently the youth Lad heard Of
the other scratch | had received from
| the falcon. | replied rather roughly
as | reached for my coat and put i,
| on:
1T is nothing assure you, sir.
| bow before your superior handling oil
the rapier and-a pair OF blue eyes
| eyes wonderfully like"
Like what, SIR" he snapped.
ke-like-nothing in the world
but another pair of blue eyes" | re
piled. Il bid you good day. In Lon
don | may again be so fortunate az
to meet you"
Ito be continued.)