New-York tribune., 1908-02-02

ming, and pressed nv lord towards the DtiSneS
where l hid, so that l could hear their heavy
breathing. And then sharply my lord dis
engages himself and gets under the guard
with pretty rlposte, and t'other's sword tell
to the earth
''Zounds!" he cried and I could see from
how it hung down that his right arm was dis
abled,
a ''Tis the fortune of war, my good sir"
says my lord. feeling in his pocket for a snuff
box, and elegantly serving himself. But
t'Other was in some pain, as was evident, and
said naught. And so riveted were my eyes
on the scene that | did not notice the approach
of third man till his voice rang out.
- Twas WE'LL We shall have witness, my
lord"
Bless your pretty soull twas no other than
the cock sparrow in plum, whom | had clean
deadly rival NV lord, whom he had ad
dressed, turned on him slowly
Il know not who the devil you be- said
he; but if YOU require lesson in manners
you shall have it
And in a twinkling they two at it,
while the tall fellow was bandaging his arm
and cursing, indifferent to what went forward,
and | could scarce contain my merr1nent IN
my hiding place.
The cock sparrow ragged through the duello
like a storm, and made my lord play uTwary
strokes through his sharp onset And to say
the truth | could not see how it happened
but twas not long ere they were apart, each
sparrow lying in heap on the grass
" Tis time for me to 60" thinks |: and |
slipped through the bushes towards gap in
the hedge. leaving my lord in his shirt sleeves
leaning on his apOn the cock sparrow. claws
uppermost, and the tall man, that must have
been Sir Nigel, still swearing under his breath
as he struggled with his bandage. | got back
to the house; and by the time had reached
1t | had seized a pretty idea. 1t had been
my thought to bewilder these stout champions
of the riband by spreading the symbol abroad
1t were ike thrower casting seed But
they had took their punishment, and there
remained Mistress Vanity or Vixen, or what
dye like. | am not above coIoqulng with
handsome woman of parts, but, damme |
viii do it my own terms and here she
striving to set all by the ears for the sake of
her mere vanity. Very well. says | to myself
No sooner was | entered than | made my
way to the first gallant did see, and, beckon-
ing mysteriOusly, took him aside
\ certain lady. sir, said |. who shall be
nameeSs, but who is we'll known to YOU sends
you this and entreats YOU will wear it as her
favor and out | pulled riband. But that
which had been in my coat was there no
longer.
He silent moment, and then asked,
" Who be YOU, sir "
If l We're to say" said l prudently. may
be it would say more in your ear than would
be wise"
And so, faith, it would have done
Tell my lady | am honored by her
favor says he with a bow. sticking it in his
coat.
And then said l very so1emnly. At the
hour when my lady calls her chair she hath
bid me whisper in your ear"
And so went on to the next with the same
tale, and thus again until | had exhausted
almost all my stock of rose ribands Some
were suspicious and asked questions
but one way and another | secured them all
Dammel there Is as much vanity in some men
as in all women
Well. the upShot of this YOU will see pretty
PLAIN. for presently the chamber was full OF
tavOrs, flashing from the lapels of all the bucks
OF town. sure, twas a garden of red roses
that tfowered there, and each man staring at
his neIghbor with wonder, and no doubt ask
ing OF himself what 1t portended And there
was a litter among the ladies who were there
for | doubt not they recognized some Joke
was afoot. and knew against whom it was
directed For one of them stopped me with
her fan, and says she
F1e, sir you undraped Where Is
Your flag | would think shame to 90 banner
less were | man. and she giggled as II II
were a fine jest.
1t was clear enough what all understood 1t
Tor. and no sooner had | clapped ewes on the
lady than knew she had taken 1t sorelv Her
veXation was manifest in her gait, and, though
She teIgned innocence, II must have CALLED her
,t.tg,, ..ii IL. 81.