Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1908-03-20
lContinaed from Yesterday J

TIC CpHHHCuf ulHlScli titeT lfldl uTSt
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, 1t 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 II 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 II he We're rooted to
the spot. II was a magnificent eX.
ample OF determination coupled with
a high degree OF skin, for no mean
fencer could have stood at swords
points with Strathgate without having
been thrust through dozen times. IN
less his skill had nearly matched the
ether's or cqualed IT,
The two men approached 50 close
that further fencing became i'm.
possible. With swift movement
tgathgate forced aside Carrington's
sword and sprang back out of reach.
;.o dropped his sword for moment
and stood painting slightly.
Darlington spoke now.
Has my lord exhausted his attack 2"
he said softly
Strathgate's answer was a resump.
ton OF his guard and another hard
and direct lunge for his enemys heart.
Darlington smiled as lie parted. He
had been in some doubt as to his abil-
.ty 20 sustain Strathgates attack. lie
was no stranger to the field OF honor.
but he had never faced a sword so I'M
bued with venomous life as that that
sligcred along his blade this morning.
Yet he imagined that Strathgate had
done his best He had shot his bolt
lie could do no better than he had
lone, and there began to come into
Carrlngtons mind a sense OF mastery
Again he met Strathgates furious at
tack. This time it seemed to Car
r,ngton that the onslaught was less
apid and less dangerous. Probably
this was Misrepresentation and the
act that Darlington parted the VI
eious thrusts more easily may have
been due to a growing sense Of fainil-
sarity with Strathgates method.
Btu Strathgate was not yet spent
There were certain dangerous thrusts
he knew OF, dangerous In that they
exposed the one who used them to
counter-attack, and dangerous from
their unexpectedness to one against
whom they were made; consequently,
strathgate was usually doubtful about
Employing them, but Darlington had
onfined his attention simply to parry
ng. save the first thrust, and Strath
satc, thinking rapidly. determined that
t would be safe to employ this I'M
Usual stroke. After marvellous
burst Of speed in which he seemed to
rave regaincd all his power, he sud
lenly dropped almost upon one knee.
eaving his body uncovered, and thrust
.errifically upward.
II Darlington had been returning
stroke for stroke, that moment had
1eea Strathgate's last. AS II was, the
larry was rather slowly executed and
strathgate's point got fairly home in
Jarrington's side Il was not thrust
through the body, nor was it Craze.
It was betwixt the two.
Strathgate sprang violently back
ward as Darlington made an ineffec.
tive reply with his weapon.
The two faced each other once more.
stop, gentlemen" cried Blythedale
and Parkman In one moment, inter
vening between the two.
"Nevinsont" called out Parkman
The surgeon came bounding for
ward
"'Tis naught,' cried Darlington.
waving them aside. "See!"
Only flesh wound" said Nevin.
son. examining 1t quickly.
Back, gentlemen, yon are giving
Lord Strathgate breathing space.
Il am Of the opinion that enough
has been DONE began Blythedale,
for honor
Not while one Of us lives an
swered Darlington
MY lord speaks for me-, cried
Strathgate; away. gentlemen.
And once more the two men fell on
guard.
Why Ellen had not tainted at that
moment she could not tell, The world
swan before her vision. but by an eff
fort she commanded herself The bat
tie was not over and she must see
It until the end She had confidence
yet. NY lords wound was not Sc
rious one and certainly now Strath-
gate had shot the bolt.
But no. Strathgate attacked as furi.
Dusty as ever. but this time my lords
tactics were different AS II the sight
of his own blood had maddened him.
be was not content to parry, but he
himself assumed the offensive. Like
diamonds the points of the blades
sparkled in circles Of light. The ring
of steel on steel and the grating as one |
blade fell upon another blade was con