The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-04-19

her, but he treated her gently, laugh
ed. kissed her and gave her money.
Then he jumped on the horse, sitting
sideways like a woman, and then he
waited for me. on my part waited
for him.
Presently he rode toward me, keep
ing his distance, however. He lifted
up his hand, saying:
"What did you in the castlei"
IL killed three Of your friends" said I.
"What! You got TO the cells"
"Yes."
sand the king?"
"He was hurt by Detchard before I
killed, Detchard, but l pray that he
lives"
You foolr' said Rupert pleasantly.
"one thing more did"
"And what's that?"
81 spared your life. | was behind
you on the bridge, with revolver in
my hand"
"No? Faith, I was between two
fires.'
Get of your horse" / cried. "and
fight like man.
Before lady," said he, pointing to
the girl. "Fie, your majestym
Then in my rage. hardly knowing
what did, rushed at him. For a
moment he seemed TO wayer. Then he
refined his horse in and stood waiting
for me. On went in my folly.
seized the bride, and I struck Mt him.
He parted and thrust at me. fell
back a pace and rushed in at him
again, and this time reached his face
and laid his cheek open and darted
back before he could strike me. He
seemed almost daZed at the fierceness
Of my attack; otherwise l think he
must have killed me. | sank on my
knee, painting. expecting him to ride
at me. And so he would have done.
and then and there, I doubt not, one
or both OF us would have died. but at
the moment there came shout from
behind us, and. looking round, saw
/ just at the turn OF the avenue a man
on a horse. He was riding hard, and
he carried a revolver in his hand. 1t
was Fritz Won Tarlenheim, my faith
full friend. Rupert saw him and knew
that the game was up. He checked his
rush at me and flung his Lee over the
saddle. but yet for just moment he
waited. Leaning forward, he tossed
his hair OF his forehead and smiled
and said:
"Au revoir, Rudolf Rassendyll'"
Then, with his cheek streaming
blood, but his lips laughing and his
body swaying with ease and grace, he
bowed TO me, and he bowed to the
farm girl, who had drawn near in
trembling fascination. and he waved
his hand to Fritz, who was just with
in range, and let fly shot at him. The
ball came nigh doing It's work. for II
struck the sword he held, and he drop
ped the sword with an oath. wringing
his fingers, and cIapped his heels hard
N his horses belly and rode away at ;
gallop.
And watched him 90 down the loni
avenue. riding as though lie rode 10
his pleasure and singing as be went
for all there was that cash In hi
cheek.
Once again he turned TO wave hi
band, and then the gloom Of the thick
cts swallowed him, aud he was los
from our sight. Thus he vanished
reckless and wary. graceful and grace
less. handsome, debonaIr, vile and TN
conquered And flung my sword pas
sl0nately on the ground and cried Il
Fritz 10 ride after him, but Fritz stop
ped his horse and leaped down and raj
TO me and knelt. putting his arm abol
NE. And. indeed. It was time, for til
wound that DetclIard had given M
was broken forth affesh, and my bloc
was staining the ground.
'Then give me the hOFse"' cried
staggering 10 my feet and throwing hi
arms OF me- And the strength If m
rage carried me 50 far a. where th
e horse stood, and then I feIl prone b.
. side II. And Fritz kneIt By mo again.
, "Fritz!' said.
e "Aye. friend-dear friend" said ht
tender az a woman.
3 lis the king aIiyeT'
lie took his handkerchief and wipe
f, my lips and bent and kissed fne on Oh
a forehead
Thanks to the most gallant gontl.
man that lives" said he softly. 9TH
, king r. aIivew
The little farm girl stood by u. weer
!, ing for fright and wide eyed for wof
!. der, for she had seen me at Zenda, an
was not I, paIlid. dripping, foul an
!. bloody o. was-yet was not th
klngf
And when heard that the king wa
alive strove T. cry 'TIurrah"' hut
= could not speak, and laid my hea
back In T1tz's arms and closed III
= eyes, and grDaned. aud then, le.
Fritz should do me wrong In III
thoughts, / opened my eyes aud tfic
to say "Tfurrah!" again. but cOul
not. aud. being very tired and no