The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-01-26

he must present.
Together they walked across the
field some 80 PAGES distance from
their carriages, Tontiss driver accom-
panying them to render any assist
ance needed in removing their outer
garments, while the other remained
with the horses. The preliminarics
being arranged, the two men faced
each other.
EN- garde!" cried the Comte de
Miron between his teeth.
EN- garde!" came from Tonti In
calm and measured tones.
The swords touched, crossed, and the
fight was on. Both learned in a few
moments that neither had a weak op-
ponent before him. Each tried the
other with all the commoner thrusts
only to find him ready with a parry.
At last Tontl. in order to tire his an
tagonist and thus make 1t easier when
he next attacked him, maintained the
defensive only. His thoughts wan
dered away from the scene before him
and he seemed to stand in the same
room he had visited yesterday, gazing
upon the face that he realized now
that he loved. Only, instead Of her
eyes following the printed pages Of a
book, they looked into his OWN with
a friendly gaze. But as he looked
they suddenly changed and a CLEAN
of terror and horror filed them, as
though they saw a terrible sight. and
her hand was raised as though in
warning.
At this instant the Comte de Miron
| pretended to slip, and Tonti involun-
tarily raised his sword-point to enable
| him to ecover his footing. The look
Of terror in the face of the one he
loved brought him suddenly back to a
full realization Of his surroundings.
But 1t was too late. The comte, count
ing upon the honor and generosity Of
his foe when he perceived his mr.
step, and seeing the point of Tont1's
sword raised, made a sudden lunge, a
twist and upward movement, and
Tonti's sword was hurled from his
hand and lighted point downward in
the earth just outside his reach. Then
Tonti realized his danger, for his foe,
with unrepressed hatred cleaning in
his eye, made for him as he stood I'M
armed and defenseless before him. 1t
was but q seconds duration, but
Tonti's thought flew back to the street
where they had met and he heard
again the voice he loved cautioning
him against the treachery Of the man
before him. He saw the loved eyes
culver, yet gaze at him admiringly as
he met his death bravely and without
f%linching. Fully realizing the impos-
sibility of escaping assassination, he
resolved not to shrink before his
treacherous foe, SO with a look of on
tempt in his eye and the words For
you, my Rose" in his heart he awaited
the impact of the deadly weapon.
Just as the end Of his enemy's sword
was about to enter his breast, the
clicking Of other steel was heard and
the point was struck up harmlessly
in the air. Tonti's driver, who had
stood very near during the combat,
seeing his plight, had suddenly dropped
the cloaks he was holding, and, draw
ing a sword from the depths Of the
great-coat in which he was mufied,
had parted the blow. wretch" he
said, contemptuously, to the Comte de
Miron. Tonti with a spring recovered
his sword and returned to the attack.
Before, he had had but little heart in
the battle, meaning only to infict some
tri1ing wound, knowing that were he
involved in any mortal combat the
chances would be that Colbert would
seize that as a pretext for OBTAINING
him, despite the kings protection, and
La Sale would have to sail without
him. But now, blinded by the fury
aroused by the vile trick of his oppo-
nent, he attacked him with all his
skill and strength.
Before I count ten, M. lie Compile
he said, slowly, "you shall die" and
beginning to count each stroke, he
pressed his antagonist hard. reservine
a half-forgotten trick of the sword
learned in Italy, for the final. The
Comte de Miron responded with equal
fury Of attack and defense, but as he
heard Tonti count SO confidently and
saw the smile of triumph on his face
he weakened, and the sacrilegious
charm he wore seemed to burn a bright
red spot In his chest as a sign to Tontl
where to strike.
"One!"
A spark few between the blades.
"Two!"
The sword play became more furi'
GUS.
"Thrce!"
The combatants shifted their posi-,
lions continuously.
"Four!"
The breathing of the Comte de Mirror
grew shorter and more rapid.
"Five!"
His thrusts became wilder and hi
face flushed, in strong contrast witt
the GOODNESS and precision of his op'
ponent.
"Sixi"
A terrible oath escaped his lips as
TOnfi cnlm1v turuod aotdo q rufrl