Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1906-11-22
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The Duel.
BY LEWIS A. WENTWORTH.

NS yoOA PAo141SO, 0VASllSd1 SAA0>
Unzar, his swarthy face growing dark
er; do you remember? or has another
taught you to forget?''
She hesitated-and was lost.
A hand closed upon her wrist with
crushing force, and a voice low and
tense with emotion cried: Il have
my answer, Senorita, but remember
my OATH am here to keep it,
Your OATH" she murmured, at.
tempting to throw of 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-
ly; 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 I so ugly as that? Senior,
broken heart is healed only by an,
other love. Is it 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
off 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 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. l thought you had
forgotten me. I have heard nothing
from you since that day ten years
ago. Felipe wanted me and ~"
And do you love this-this Felipe"
he burst out, his face flaming.
'I-God help me! no, no, no! l
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 it 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.
I care not what he USES" he
vociferated. Il would fight him with
any weapon. l must fight him, for !
have sworn you shall be my bride. -
And l swear she will not!'
Mona stif1ed scream, and even I'm.
Ear recoiled 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 CT with silver spurs, short
coat with gold buttons and a broad.
brimmed, 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 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-
lipe, blowing 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 pistols"
Mona uttered low cry at the last
word, which brought that wolfish
smile to Felipe's lips.
II will not disappoint you, senor,''
said Unzar.
Farewell, them" sneered Felipe.
II 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 we're
just visible in the eastern sky when
two figures emerged from the grove
Of eucalyptus trees and glanced about.
One was gray-haired man bent with
age, his companion a tall, erect figure,
whose face was covered with a mask
of black silk. The old man was Tony,
the keeper of the inn where Unzar
had passed >he night; he was yet but
half awake, aud 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 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 va11ev For