The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1906-01-12

made such stir in the papers. but the
club IS proud of me.
But have not told you about the
duel. At little before the time ap.
pointed, met Herbert just hurrying to
the theater. lie led the way into the
stage entrance--how dreary 1t Isl
and the doorkeeper told us that Miss
Wilmot and Mr.. Ditmore had not
come, but If she was expecting us We
might 80 in and wait with the otho~.
What othcrs?" asked Herbert, sus.
pIclously.
"Tho others Miss Wilmot was ex-
pecting," the doorkceper said
Il don't like the look OF this" said
| Herbert. Il guess you had better wait
| until go In and see what sort Of a
reception Miss WIlmot is giving"
But can't wait ont here said
I'm sure I'm invited"
So we both went In.
Stan, they were all reporters!
Then Miss Wilmot and MIR, DitmorG
came. He was carrying the swords
and a suit case. and Herbert mad the
case in which | had brought my things
from the fencers. We all bowed
felt horribly foolish. Then Miss Will
mot went to her drcssing-roUm. and
/ had one assigned to me. | began to
feel guilty. | wasn't afraid Of Amy
Wilmot but Of what my family would
say If they ever found out.
1t didn't take me any time to dress
and yet Miss Wiimot was ready before
me. Herbert and MIR. Ditmore were
measuring the distance and testing the
swords; and at last Mr.. Dltmore hand
ed them to rue to choose from took
one at random, and he offered the
other to Miss Wilmot II seemed that
he was to conduct the duel, OF which
| was very glad, for he knows all about
the etiquette of such things, and I'm
pretty certain that Herbert doesn't.
Ready" said Mr. Ditmore, holdiaH
the points Of our swords. lie looked
from one to the other OF US. Ready"
we said Then he released our sword
tips and stepped back.
From that moment every thought OF
nervousness left me. felt perfectly
at home. The back OF the stage was
filing with people, and realized that
1t must be time for rehearsal. Il
came to me vaguely that this crowd
was Just what she had been waiting
for. | did not see them, and yet it
was a sudden fancy of resemblance
to you among them that caught my
attention for the fraction of a mo-
ment.
She took the opportunity TO make
coup fourre," which parted just in
time by dropping my hand and chas-
ing her point Then placed my point
at her heart. | did 1t SO easily and
coolly that | drew 1t back a little. 80
that she would not run on II. But
there 1t was, for an instant, for all to
see. | had not SO much as scratched
her velvet jacket, and she must have
known that | wouldn't dream of hart
ing her; but however that was, she
gave one cry, that will ring in my ears
to my dying day, and dropped to the
floor, her sword ringing as 1t fell be-
side her.
If IT. was meant to call attention TO
herself from my own victory, 1t was
done with quickness of wit that
shows that she will be a great actress.
If 1t was real fear, 1t played her
splendid turn. ran 10 pick her up,
and a half dozen others with me, and
when we lifted her she was as white
as my handkerchief; but she smiled
at me and put out her hand, and said
with a perfect show of self-possession:
81 see you are bound to. have your
little joke"
That's all, Stan. Herbert and | got
out, and the rehearsal took place as
if nothing had happened, except that
Amy Wilmot IL row heroine, and 1t
appears that we are both In danger of
being imprisoned. Do you see the
blurred places all over this letter? 1t
isn't the blotter, Stan, It's tears.
Now I've told you the whole truth,
and II you d'sapprove OF my Part In II
you ale FREE 10 consider our engage
ment at an end.
Come in. What Ia IT. won't see
anybody. | won't! Oh! 0h-Stan-
StAn--dear-is 1t really your"