Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-11-08
The Duel.
az LEWIS A. WENTWORTH.

Unzar his swarthy face growing dark
or; do you remember? or has another
taught YOU To torgete'
She hesitated-and was lost,
A hand closed upon her wrist with
crushing force. and voice low and
tense with emotion cried; Il have
my answer. Senorita, but remember
my OATH am here 70 keep H.
Your oath, she murmnred, at
tempting to throw on his hand. your
OATH"
Then the recollection aroused her,
she swept hack 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
all claims upon me- Have you not
left me neglected these many years
Did you think none other would seek
me? Am | so ugly as that? Senior
a broken heart Is healed only by an
other love, Is Il strange, then, that
/ should love another And my prom
ise-" She paused abruptly and again
that thoughtful look came into her
eyes,
She glanced at that tall, handsome
figure before her. drawn up TO its full
height, the bold black eyes gazing
into her own, and her mind wandered
of to 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 to be the bride of an.
other. But did she love the other
oh, unzar." she cried, Il know
not what to 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 Felipe?"
he burst out, his face flaming.
God help me! no, no, no! ]
almost hate him" Her eyes were
swimming, her brown hands doubled
into little fists.
But, Unzar," she continued, clutch.
ing his arm, her emotion forgotten In
an instant You must not stay here,
for should he see you he would either
kill you or force you to fight In
either case 1t would be death, for no
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.
Il care not what he uses" he
vociferated. Il would fight him with
any weapon. | must fight him, for |
have sworn you shall be my bride"
And | swear she will not"
Mona stilled 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-tight panta.
looms, with silver buttons up and
down the legs; yellow boots with high
heels set off with silver spurs, a short
coat with gold buttons and a broad.
brlmmed, high-crowned sombrero GOV,
cred with silver braid. He was tall
and wiry, his eyes black and piercing
and his face, usually expressionless,
now wore an ugly look. For 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.
q claim a previous right" declared
Unzar.
THAT for your right" sneered Fe
lipe, blowing a cloud of smoke into the
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 las
word, which brought that wolfsl
smile to Felipes lips.
Il will not disappoint you, senior
said Unzar.
Farewell, then" sneered Felipe
u will leave you with your"
Unzar's hand uncsasciously sough
his knife, and Felipe smiled as h,
backed through the doorway, the wor,
unspoken.
Inc f1rst grey streaks of dawn wer
Just visible in the eastern sky whe,
TWO hgures emerged from the grow
OF eucalyptus trees and glanced about
one was gray-haired man bent wit
age, his companion tall, erect figure
whose face was covered with a mas
OF black silk. The old man was Tony
the keeper of the inn where Unza
had passed the night; he was vet HI,
| half awake, and as he sank down q
the ground to wait his head nodde
and soon fell forward, his chin res
ing on his chest. The other stoo
near, toying idly with a pistol CLAN,
ing now and then toward the tree
mat hid from view the town, an
listening intently at the least SCUM,
And so Felipe and his two companion
round them just as the sun threw hi
first golden rays into the valley. Fl
ri