Greene County herald., 1906-06-08
g The DUEL -
By ALPHoNSE COURLANDER.

I don't hurt the lad; just play with
him. 1t won't hurt your reputation if
you don't wound him. Enfin, you are
not maitre d'armes!"
MY dear Tolin,' l replied, eff Gas
ton came to me and offered me his
hand | would kiss his cheek" Whereat
Tolin rushed off to communicate my
words to my seconds, who in turn COM
municated them to Gastons seconds,
who next conferred gravely with Gas
ton. | could see it all from the win
dow of the little waiting room. Gas
ton shrugged his shoulders and turned
about to continue his conversation. /
bit my lip as Tolin came with a wry
face to tell me that my attempt at
reconciliation had failed.
"Eh bien," said l, q will prick him
just above the wrist of his sword
arm" And with that l went to the
sand strewn stretch of ground where
we were to fight.
De Courcel, in his element, was di-
recting the duel, and DR.. Lamardine.
the blood-thirsty ruffian, smiled as he
disinfected the points of our swords
in the blue flames from bowl of burn
ing spirit. On both sides of the piste
a group of friends and newspaper men
had gathered, and / noticed two or
three photographers callously focusing
the centre of the ground where the
duellists crossed swords
Are you ready, gentlemen" It was
De Courcel, who spoke, and the next
moment our swords were tip to tip.
Gastons lips were twisted proudly. and
his left arm raised gracefully in the
air. He tossed his head back so that
his fair hair shook in the breeze and
I lung a defiant look at me. Then
De Courcel lowered his stick and the
play began. let his sword play round
mine in little circles, always keeping
my guard, my blade pointed at his
breast to prevent him from running
in. He made feint at my leg. of
which | took no notice, but | forced
him back pace before he could en-
gage my sword again. Then he thrust
forward and tried to pierce my glove
.,dt his point met the hilt guard of nv
sword. | could see that he was deter
mined to wound me, and / thought it
best to warn him of my superiority. I
slanted my sword pointing to his ankle
and he took. up my tactics by holding
his weapon level, waiting. A second
or SO passed, then suddenly-it is an
old stroke of mine-I struck his blade
aside, and would have pierced his un-
der-arm, but that he retreated clever
ly, and was en- garde again, by the
time De Courcel held up his stick to
signify that the first reprise was over.
We handed our swords to our respec-
tive seconds, and, turning our backs to
one another, chatted with our friends
CASTOR lit cigarette, and could hear
his laughter as he talked. He was per-
fectly at ease. He little knew that. if
had wished, could have pierced his
heart even in that second when he was
retreating before my short attack.
M 'sieurs, etes-vous prets?" came
De Courcel's voice again. The sun
was in my eyes as took my sword
and stood up to CASTOR. This time
he came at me fiercely-it was a
lunge, thrust and parry-and l needed
all my skill to keep my ground. Our
blades licking round each other, the
sunlight cleaning on the bright steel,
and every now and again he made lit
tie darts at my chest. until | began
to realize that my Cousin CASTOR was
indeed seeking to do ME grieyous
barn. The youax fool" / thought
II he doesn't quiet himself, I shall
besin in earnest !"
For time was content to remain