The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-01-16
Her Champion.
[Original.l

ed only by her maid. On reaching
Calais she was ushered into compart-
ment already occupied by two English
men who, from the dress and the airs
they put on, might be London swells.
Before the train started a third man
entered, took seat at the farther end
OF the compartment from Miss Wedge
wood, opposite the swells, and taking
periodicals and newspapers from his
pocket, began to read. He did not even
glance at Miss Wedgewood, who APP
preciated his not doing so inasmuch
as the swells stared at her continually.
No sooner had the train started than
they began to discuss her in Indifferent
Spanish. Miss Wedgewood spoke
French German, Spanish and Ital-
Ian. This is what they said, translated
into London English:
"She's vewy pwetty," said one.
extraordinarily Amewican. /
saw cleveland on her twunk. That's
somewhere in Amewica, l believe.
They haven't the generations of re-
finement over there to make beauty"
Look at the way she does her hair"
"And the hat It's last seasons
make. fawncy she's rich, but new to
fashion"
Miss Wedgewood noted a lowering
on the brow Of the gentleman sitting
opposite her critics, indicating that he
not only understood Spanish, but that
their criticisms annoyed him. He held
newspaper before him so that the
men opposite could not see his face,
though 1t was visible to Miss Wedge
wood, occupying a different position.
He glanced aside as though desiring
to satisfy himself of the justice of
their structures, but Miss Wedgewood,
fortunately, she considered it, was at
the time just turning her eyes from
his side Of the coach to her own, as
Stunning an imperturbable countenance,
| apparently unconscious Of what was
| going on.
Suddenly the gentleman who was
reading lowered his paper and ad-
dressed the critics in Spanish.
Gentlemen, 1 am surprised that
Engiishmen, whom Judge by appear
ances to belong to the upper classes,
should criticise a lady"
One Of the men addressed apologized,
stating that they had supposed no one
in the compartment understood them.
The other seemed inclined to resent
the strangers interference
Il wish you to understand, SIR" he
said, that bit Of private converse.
ton between two gentlemen is not q
matter for remark by third person
You are very impudent to object,
would have you know, sir"
every we'll, SIR" said the other, ''pro.
coed to make cad Of yourself. only
don't go so far as to force me to take
the lady under my protection" And
he resumed his reading.
The man who had last spoken re
sumed his remarks about Miss Wedge
wood, making them far broader and
holder than before. Miss Wedge
woods champion again laid down his
paper and said:
| 1.-The presence Of the lady renders an
insult impracticable. Will you kindly
consider yourself insulted." And first
glancing at Miss Wedgewood to see
that she was not observant he tossed
his glove at the man; then, drawing a
card from his pocket, handed it to him.
Before looking at it the man handed
him one of his own cards.
Count Lichtenstein!" exclaimed the
Englishman.
"And you, perceive, are Lord Bat
terton. l will be ready to receive any
friend your lordship may send at the
| Grand hotel within two hours after
our arrival in Paris
II know you by reputation-the repu-
tation you made at your university
with the small sword-but as the chal-
lenged party I prefer pistols. will
teach you Germans, whose counts are
as plentiful as tram drivers in London,
that you can't have your own way
with a British nobleman'
"Any weapon you prefer, Lord Bat
terton." And the count resumed his
reading as though nothing of conse-
quence had happened. Batterton in
structed his companion, Mr.. Older
shaw, to act for him, and the count
agreed to meeting at a spot near
Versailles at o'clock on the morning
after their arrival in Paris Older
shaw was to visit the counts friend,
Edward Wedgewood, an American, and
with him arrange the minor details.
The most astonishing part Of this
singular affair, every word Of which
Miss Wedgewood understood, was that
her defenders second was to be her
own brother. When the preliminaries
were all settled she turned to the par
ties In question.
Gentlemen" she said in excellent
Spanish, there is no occasion for this
quarrel. If needed to be championed
my brother, Mr.. Wedgewood. would
be the person to see me righted. Count
Lichstenstein, now l think Of it, have
heard my brother speak Of you as q
fellow student at Gottingen and OF
your exploits in fencing and marks
manship. I cannot permit you to shoot
at any one on my account. Gentle
| men, please consider this affair set