The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-03-15

money in your possession. ! va.
them"
~Ha, ] thought So You are rob.
bsy Il seems. But I warn you that
ari a good swordsman."
Heaven and hell What do care?
II you do not aiight at once. will
slay your horse You shall fight me,
here and now, with or without pre-
tense"
Then Neville flung himself from his
horse and tied the animal to a tree.
Rupert did likewise. and the two men
rapidly removed such Of their gar
ments as would interfere with their
bloody play. They were in a lonely
road. partially shaded with great trees.
Not a human habitation was visible,
and there were no seconds to see jus
tice done in the fight. or secure help
after it. if help was needed. But at
this time the lack Of recognized for
malities was no impedimenl to the
duel Repert quickly found that he had
met his match. Neville left him not a
moments breathing space, but never
followed up his attacks. until at last
Rupert called cut insolently, When
are you going to XIII me
The angry impatience Of the inquiry
probably induced moments careless
ness. and Rupert did not notice that in
the struggle their ground had insen-
sibly been changed, and Neville now
stood directly in front Of large tree.
Not needing the impediment, Rupert
made a fierce thrust with the point
Of his sword, which Neville evaded
by vault to one side, SO that Rupert's
sword striking the tree, sprang from
his hand at the impact. AS it fell to
the ground, Neville reached it first,
and placed his foot upon it. Rupert
stood still and bowed gravely. He
was at Neyille's mercy, and he indi-
Gated his knowledge of this fact by
the proud stiffness Of his attitude.
1T was an accident" said Neville,
and an accident is Gods part in any
affair Take your life from my hand.
/ have no viii to wish your death"
He offered his land as he spoke, and
Rupert took it frankly, answering:
Tis no disgrace to take life from
one SO gallant and generous, and
am glad that | can repay the favor of
your clemency;" then he almost whis-
pered in Cluny's ear three words, and
the young man started visibly, and
with great haste united his horse.
1--WE would better change horses"
said Rupert; mine is a Barb, swift
as the wind"
But Cluny could not make the
change proposed without some delay,
his papers and jewels being bestowed
in his saddle Innings. SO with a good
wish the two men parted. and there
was no anger between them-admira
tion and goodwill had taken it's place
Neville hastened forward, as he had
been advised, and Rupert returned to
Paris. He knew Matilda was expect
ing him, and he pictured to himself
her disappointment and anxiety at his
non-appearance Yet he was physically
exhausted, and as soon as he threw
himself upon a couch he forgot all his
weariness and all his anxieties in a
deep sleep.
Early next morning he went to Ma
tilda.
How could you so cruelty disap-
point me?" she cried. you see now
that our time is nearly gone; in a
few hours we must part, perhaps for
ever"
MY dearest, loveliest Mata, was
about your pleasure. was following
Lord Neville. and he took me further
than expected"
Lord Neville again. The man is
an incubus! Why did you follyw
him?7
You wished me to give him a les
son. He was going homeward. had
to ride last night, or let him escape.
By my troth, had only your pleasure
in mind"
"Oh, but the price paid was too
great had to give up your society
for hours. That is loss | shall
mourn to the end Of my life. | hope,
then, that you killed him. Nothing
less will suffice for it,"
q was out Of fortune, as l always
am. had an accident, and was at
his mercy. He gave me my life"
Ito be continued)