The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-01-20
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them"
"Ha! thought so. You are q rob-
Der, it seems. But | warn you that l
am a good swordsman."
Heaven and hell. What do l care?
Ii you do not alight at once, l will
Stay 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,
n 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
malltles was no impediment to the
duel. Report 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 out insolently, when
are you going to kill me.
The angry Impotence of the inquiry
probably induced a moments careless
ness, and Rupert did not notice that in
the struggle tnolr ground had insen-
sibly been changed, and Neville now
stood directly in front of a large tree.
Not needing the impediment, Rupert
made a fierce thrust with the point
of his sword, which Neville evaded
by a vault to n 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 Nevine's mercy, and he indi-
Gated his knowledge of this tact by
the prouu stiffness of his attitude.
ut was an accident" said Neville,
land an accident is Gods part in any
affair. Take YOU life from my hand.
| have no will to wish your DEATH"
He offered his nand as he spoke, and
Rupert took it frankly, answering:
Its no disgrace to take life from
n so gallant and generous, and l
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.
I'VE would better change horses"
said Rupert; mine is a Barb, swift
as the wind"
But Cluny could not make the
change proposed withou. 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-
ton and goodwill had taken it's place.
Neville fastened 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
WEAKNESS 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 Jul time is nearly gone; in a
few hours we must part, perhaps for
ever"
MY dearest, loveliest Mata, l 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 follow
him.
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, l had only your pleasure
in mind"
"Oh, but the price paid vas too
great. l had to give up your society
for hours. That is a loss l shall
mourn to the end of my life. l hope.
then, that you killed him. Nothing
less will suffice for it."
Il was out of fortune as l always
Am. | had an accident, and was at
his mercy. He gave me my life"
(TO be c~ontinued.)