Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-11-25
CHAPTER XlX.-Contjnued.

encounter Is watched by Ellen and Deb
hiding. ~ ="
CHAPTER xIx.-continued.
Pray now, Debbie," whispered
Ellen, "as you never prayed before!"
This time neither woman hid her
face. The prayers were all in the
heart. Save for that ejaculation not a
lip moved between them. They stared
as the bird charmed by the snake
stares at his tormentor.
Darlington was stronger man than
Strathgate. He had lived in the gay
world at times, as the other had, but
there had been long periods on the
sea. He had gained power of wrist
that the other trembled to feel as the
blade pressed heavily against his own.
But battles with swords are not neces.
sarily gained by strength of arm. The
victory is not always to the strong,
sometimes it goes to the swift.
With incredible quickness Strath.
gate engaged his point and lunged
desperately forward. Darlington par
ried with all the swiftness of which
he was capable, and just managed to
ward the blow. The blade of his ad-
versary's sword ripped throgh the side
of his shirt, but no blood followed the
thrust. He had escaped unframed,
Strathgate smiled.
THE next time!" he said softly to
himself under his breath.
The next instant he warded easily
a furious return attack by Caring
ton, and thereafter for perhaps a min
ute there followed a succession of
thrusts and parties with marvellous
rapidity.
Ellen knew something about sword
play. She was no mean fencer her.
self, and she saw with an anguished
heart that Lord Strathgate was fore
ing the attack, and that her husband
had all he could possibly do to keep
from being spitted upon his adver-
sary's nimble sword. Rumor had not
exaggerated Strathgate's wonderful
mastery. His blade was like lam
bent flame and played like lightning
about her husbands weapon. Des-
perate as was the task, however, Car
rington just managed to avoid these
deadly thrusts. His shirt had been
cut in half dozen places, and a thin
splotch of blood showed where one of
the thrusts had grazed the skin, but
he was practically scatheless.
He confined himself after that first
return to defense, not from choice,
but because there was nothing else to
do. Strathgate pressed him unmer.
cifully and gave him no opportunity
whatsoever for return. It was
thrust, thrust. thrust! with the rapid
ity of thought itself. Indeed, so fierce,
SO sustained, so desperate was Strath-
gates attack that the Precipitation
beaded upon his forehead, his breath
came quick.
Ellen, who had eyes for everything,
noted it, so, too, did Darlington. AS
for my lord, he had stood to it like
the man and sailor that he was. He
had not given ground one instant, and
although in the excitement OF the con-
test Strathgate had pressed him hard
er and approached much nearer, my
lord had stood as if he We're rooted to
the spot. 1t was magnificent ex-
ample of determination coupled with
a high degree of skill, for no mean
fencer could have stood at swords
points with Strathgate without having
been thrust through a dozen times, un-
less his skill had nearly matched the
others or equaled II.
The two men approached so close
ly that further fencing became i'm.
possible. With swift movement
Strathgate forced aside Darlington s
sword and sprang back out of reach.
He dropped his sword for moment
and stood painting slightly.
Darlington spoke now.
Has my lord exhausted his attack -
he said softly.
Strathgate's answer was a resump.
ton Of his guard and another hard
and direct lunge for his enemy's heart
Darlington smiled as he parried. He
had been in some doubt as to his abil-
ity to sustain Strathgate's attack. He
was no stranger to the field of honor,
but he had never faced sword so i'm.
bued with venomous life as that that
slivered along his blade this morning.
Yet he imagined that Strathgate had
done his best. He had shot his bolt.
He could do no better than he had
done, and there began to come into
Carrington's mind sense of mastery.
Again he met Strathgates furious at
tack. This time it seemed to Car.