Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-13

down which I had first seen madem- spiselle and her sister pacing. The cap stain had removed his doublet and sstood in his shirt leaning against the ssundial, his head bare and his sinewy Throat uncovered. He had drawn his frapier and stood pricking the ground ampatiently. 1 marked his strong and Nervous frame and his sanguine air: Mnd 20 years earlier the sight might AaVe damped me- But no thought of athough felt with each moment greater sreIuctance to engage, doubt of the is- ssue had no place in my calculations. made ready slowly, and would glad sly, to gain time, have found some fault twith the place. But the sun was suf- 'ficiently high to give no advantage to either. The ground was good, the spot rweIl chosen. I could find no excuse sto put of the man, and was about to salute him and fall to work, when thought crossed my mind.
 'One moment!" said. "supposing kill you, M le Capitaine, what be- comes of your errand here?"
 Don't trouble yourself" he an- swered, with a sneer-he had misread my slowness and hesitation. Tt will not happen, Monsieur. And in any case +the thought need not harass you. l Shave lieutenant"
 F "Yes, but what of my mission?" .replied bluntly. 'T have no lieutenant" !"
 You should have thought of that be- fore you interfered with my boots, ' : he retorted, with contempt ] True" said, overlooking his man. ner. But better late than never. I am not sure, now I think of it, that my fduty to mcnseigneur will let me fight "
 "You will swallow the blow?" he cried. splitting on the ground offensive sly. "Diabe!" And the lieutenant, sstanding on one side with his hands -.behind him and his shoulders squared, slaughed grimly.
 T have not made up my mind" Unanswered irresolutely.
 Well, nom de Dieu! make it up,' Ht EdHLdlu IHJllEus NlNlA di uEAt oA~-A' He took a staggering step this way 4and that, playing his weapon. T am afraid. lieutenant, there will be no Esport today" he continued, in loud aside. Our cock has but chicken heart"
 We'll" I said coolly. "I do moi know what 10 do. Certainly it is a hne day and a fair piece of ground And the sun stands well. But I have sHot much to gain by killing you. M- le Capltaine and it might get me into an awkward fix. On the other hand, fl would not hurt me to let you go.'
 "Indeed?" he said contemptuously looking at me as I should look at a facqney
 < "No," replied. For if you were to Say that you had struck Gil de Berault and left the ground with a whole skin 10 one would believe you"
 ''Gil de Berault," he exclaimed, Browning
 "Yes Monsieur replied suavely- "At your service. You did not know my uame?"
 T thought your name was De Barthe." he said. His voice sounded luesrly: and he waited for an answer with psrted lips and a shadow in his 5 eyes which had seen in mems eyes srefors.
 sNo."I said That was my mothers same. took it for thIs occasion only
 sffs forid cheek lost a shade of its .olor and he Dit his lips ss he glanced 4 at the lieutenant. fros1tle in his eyss q had seen these signs before. and knew them ard might have cried ''Chicken- tearfs~ in my turn. but I had not nzde a zav Of escape Tor him-befoTs I declared nyseIf-for nothing and I held to ny purpose T think you wiil sfIov me- I said Erimly. that f Will not harm ne even if I but up wfth a hlo-t~
 M de Bsrauif-s cDlrzse is En1Vn. hs rattarsd.
 And with rrasrr. I said Tsai aeirx so. suppose Ee sa5 this 5ay thFas u1afhs. M ls Cspiizins, Tas T1zf po1rrenf to hs fCf ny sFlsszisucss
 He ea1zht the tiettera1t's ere zzz