The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-09-22
The Duel.
nY LEWIS A. WENTWORTH.

She hesltated-and was lost
a hand closed upon her wrist with
crushing force. and voice low and
tense with emotion cried; Il have
my answer senorlta. but remember
my OATH am here TO keep H."
your oath" she murmured, at
tempting 70 throw on his hand, your
OATH"
Then the recollection aroused her;
she swept back the thick hair from
her high forehead and turned upon
him. righteous indignation visible In
every feature.
your OATH" she repeated, scornful
~: have you not already forfeited
an claims upon me2 Have you not
left me mes ctod these many years.
Did you think none other would seek
me? Am ! so ugly as thatY Senior.
n broken heart Is healed only by an
other love. Is Il strange, then. that
/ should love anothorg And my prom
lsc-" She paused abruptly and again
that thoughtful look came into her
eyes.
She glanced at that tall. handsome
figure before her. drawn up 10 It's full
height. the bold. black eyes gazing
into her own. and her mind wandered
on 20 that day. ten years before. when
she had last seen him In old Madrid
She remembered the promise given
that day, but ten years was a long
time and she had given up all hope
and was now 10 be the bride % an.
other. But did she love the other
"Ohl unEar." she cried. Il know
not what 10 say. thought you had
forgotten me. have heard nothing
from you since that day ten years
ago. Felipe wanted me and II"
and do you love thls-this Fellpeg p
he burst out his face flaming.
God help me- no. no. no.
almost hate himl" Her eyes were
swimming. her brown hands doubled
into little fists.
but, UnEar." she continued. clutch
Ing his arm. her emotion forgotten T.
an instant You must not stay here
for should he see you he would either
kin you OF force you to fight In
either case II would be death. for nc
one has escaped him yet"
you forget. Mona. that am mas
ter OF the art" and he touched his
knife.
But Felipe uses only pistols" she
cried. Unzar's face darkened.
4 care not what he uses" he
voclferated. Il would fight him viii
any weapon. ! must fight him. for
have sworn you shall DO my bride
And ! swear she will mott"
Mona stihed a scream. and even I'm
Ear recoiled a step at this unexpected
retort The intruder was Felipe. at
tired in all his glory, skin-tlght panta
looms. with silver buttons up and
down the legs; yellow boots with high
heels set of with silver spurs. short
coat with gold buttons and broad
brimmed. high-crowned sombrero GOV
cred with silver braid. He was tai
and wlry. his eyes black and piercing
and his face. usually expresslonless
now wore an ugly look. For a mo
ment the men gazed at each other in
silence.
by what right to you swear?" de
manded Unzar.
Il am her accepted suitor." replied
Felipe
Il claim a previous right" declared
Unzar.
THAT for your right" sneered Fe
llpe, blowing a cloud OF smoke into th'
others face.
you will pay for that, you peon.
cried Unzar. livid with rage. Name
your time and place"
Felipe smiled scOrnfully.
AT sunrise beyond the eucalyptus
grove-with pistols"
Mona uttered a low cry at the last
word, which brought that wolfisf
smile to Fellpe's lips.
Il will not dIsappoInt you, senior,
said Unzar
Farewell. then" sneered Felipe
Il will leave you with your"
Unzar's hand unconsciously sought
his knife, and Felipe smiled as he
backed through the doorway, the word
unspoken.
The first grey streaks Of dawn were
Just visible in the eastern sky when
two figures emerged from the grove
Of eucalyptus trees and glanced about
One was gray-halred man bent with
age, his companion tall, erect figure
whose face was covered with a mask
| of black silk. The old man was Tony
the keeper of the inn where UnzaI
had passed the night; he was yet but
half awake, and as he sank down on
the ground to wait his head nodded
and soon fell forward, his chin rest
| ing on his chest. The other stood
near, toying idly with a pistol, glanc
ing now and then toward the trees
| that hid from view the town, and
listening intently at the least sound
And so Felipe and his two companions
found them just as the sun threw his
first golden rays into the valley. Fol
brief moment they gazed upon the
scene in silence, then broke into loud
laughter, which aroused old Tony
who scrambled to his feet.
"Why does the senior wear a mask?'
asked Felipe, striding toward the old
man, who met him half way.
THAT he may not be recognized
should he win or known II he fall"
The toss of coin gave the inn,
keeper the honor of the count.
The two coatless figures faced each
other 30 yards apart, Felipe as cool