River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-07-16

sprang back into it's original shape
with Kissing ound when released. and
the chief smiled approvingly.
can excellent piece of STEEL" he re-
marked with the air of a connoisseur
as the marquis moved back the table
and chairs, leaving clear space in the
center of the room.
"One thing more, M. Claude" said
D'Aldano gravely, Il wish to assure
you that should victory rest on your
side 1 will die, not only devoid of the
slightest feeling of enmity to you, but
grateful for the courtesy which you
have extended to me-"
"And for my part" returned the
chief, II could wish for no more hon.
orable death than to fall by the hand
of Monsieur, the marquis"
Il thank you," responded D'Aldaro,
saluting, "and now-on guard, sir!"
Their blades crossed with clash,
Although M. Claude had passed his
fortieth year his habits of living had
been such that he still retained the
strength and activity of his earlier
manhood. D'Aldano, on the contrary,
had wasted his vitality to no small de-
gree in the pursuit of those harmful
pleasures usually attendant on the ex-
cesses of the wine cup. Yet for
limited period of time while his physi-
cal powers were uneXhausted, he was
probably as dangerous an antagonist
as the chief could have found in all
Paris.
His sword play was magnifi oent,
dazzling as flashes of light, and almost
irresistible in it's fiery impetuositY. He
attacked with bewildering speed from
all points of the compass, ever press
ing forward, but timing each thrust
with an accuracy and determination
that not for an instant degenerated
into wildness. To this fierce onset M.
Claude opposed cool, steady defense
that never faltered. Hand and eye
were in perfect accord and the chiefs
thin, flexible blade seemed to form
an impenetrable shield of steel for
his entire body Twice he gave ground
warily before D'Aldano's headlong as
sault, but ever regained his first pc
sition as the marquis retreated step
in his turn. Once as DAldano closed
in on his foe he was met by bril-.
liant counter attack that locked their
hits together, and disengaging, they
fell back, by mutual consent and stood
regarding each other.
"Rumor did not belle your prowess,
M. Claude" painted the marquis, whose
bosom heaved and fell RAPID under
the lace ruff1es of his shirt.
''It did not praise that of Monsieur
the marquis sufficiently" returned the
chief, upon whose iron muscles the
stress of combat appeared to have had
but little effect.
D'Aldano wasted no breath in reply
ing, but raising his blade returned to
the charge. For a few seconds the
air was vibrant with the whistle and
ring Of steel as they stood exchanging
thrusts at close quarters. The strain
was beginning to tell upon the noble
mans less seasoned frame, and M.
Claude, abandoning his cautious tao.
tics, pressed him vigorously. Sudden.
ly the chiefs point darted in serpent.
like fashion over his opponents guard
and a crimson spot appeared upon the
snow white linen covering the mar.
quis' breast M. Claude stepped back
and raised his weapon in the air as
D'Aldano staggered.
"You are hit" he said quietly.
ct is nothing, a mere flesh wound"
cried the marquis. Remember, this
is to the death. On guard again, sir"
He sprang forward SO savagely that
the chief was compelled to devote all
his care to parrying the thrusts of the
menacing steel, but in few seconds
it became evident that D'Aldano was
firing rapidly. His breath came in
labored gasps, and the perspiration
trickled in huge drops down his face
which had taken on a CHASTITY pallor.
NJ. Claude, assuming the offensive,
drove him steadily backward and
knew by the increasing feebleness OF
his adversary's counters that the end
was near. Back, still back, retreated
the marquis until the wall was scarce
two feet behind him. Here he made
final desperate stand, lunge and
parry following in such deliberate sue.
cession that the chief, seeing the set
pale face that returned his gaze above
the marquis guard, could hardly be.
lieve that victory was almost in his
grasp.
But even as sense of pity for his
gallant and failing opponent crossed
his mind, there came also the thought
that death in this form was the great
est boon that he would bestow upon
his antagonist.
Setting his teeth firmly, he beat
down D'A1dano's blade with the weight
of his nervous arm and sent home the
fatal thrust straight and true to the
nobleman's heart with all the strength
he could muster.
Down clashed the marquis sword
upon the floor, spasm Of agony con.
tracted his face, and clutching wildly
at the air he rolled with choking sob
at M Claude's feet. The chief dropped
his weapon and raised the head of the
fallen man from the dark pool of blood
in which it lay, but not tremor con-
vulsed the marble-like eace and the
glazing eyes were set in the awful fix
ity of death.
NJ Claude sighed and blew long, |
shrill blast on his whistle. The tramp |
of hurrying feet resounded on the
ctairS and marty of men burst into |