The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-09-30
ETHE WILD GEESEA)1
~B BY Stanley j. Meyman. ~

his arms with a superior air.
leaned frowning against the wall.
"Parbleu," said Lemoine as they rest
ed. at is a pity. The wrist is excel
lent, sare. But h pointing finger is
mott"
II do my best" the colonel answered,
with cheerful resignation. Shall we
engage again."
"At your pleasure"
Tho F~renchman's y no longer twin
killed.; his gallantry was on its mettle.
He was grave and severe, ixlnS his
gaze on the %colonel's attack, and re-
manning blind to the mods and shrugs
of his patrons in the background. Again
he touched the colonel, and, alas,
again, with an ease he could not mask.
Colonel John, a little breathed, and
perhaps a little chagrined also, dropped
his point. Some one coughed, and an
ether Uttered.
II think he will need another lesson
or two," Payton remarked, loudly
enough for all to hear.
The man whom he addressed made
an inaudible answer. The colonel
turne dtoward them.
"And-a new hand" Payton added in
the am n
Even for his henchmen the remark
was almost too much. But the colonel,
strange to say seemed to find nothing
offensive in it. On the contrary, he
replied to it.
'"That was precisely he said, what
I thought when thistle indicated his
manned hand-"happened to me. And
l did my best to procure one"
Did you succeed?" Payton retorted
in an insolent tone.
T some extent" the colonel replied,
In the most matter-of-fact manner
And he transferred the foil to his left
hand.
Give you four to one." Payton re-
o hit him once"
Colonel John had anticipated some of
the things that had happened. But he
had not foreseen this. He was quick to
see the use to which he might put 1t,
and 1t was only for an instant hat he
hesitated. Then -Four to one?' he re-
peated.
Five, If you like" Payton sneered.
eff you will wager the colonel said
slowly, 'if you will wager the gray
a you were riding this morning.
SIR"
Payton uttered an angry oath. what
do you mean?" he said.
Against 10 guineas." Colonel John
continued carelessly, bending h foil
against the floor and letting it spring
to its length again, II will make that
wager"
Payton scowled at him. He was
aware of the others interest in the
to town to recover her. And caution
woula have had him refuse the snare.
Blu lie toadies were about him, he had
long ruled the roost, to retreat went
against the grain; While to suppose
that the man had the least chance
against Lemoine was absurd. Yet he
hesitated. What do you know about
the mare he said. COarSely.
II have seen her. But of course, if
you are afraid to wager her, sir"
Payton answered to the spur Bah!
Afraid?' he cried contemptuously.
Ozone with you!"
"Tha is settled the colonel replied.
II am at your SERVICE" he continued.
turning to the maitre d'armes. II
trust" indicating that he was going to
fence with his left hand, THAT ttis will
not epbarrass you?"
NO! But it is interesting, ware in
teresting," the F%renchman replied. II
have encountered les gauchers before,
and-'
He did not finish the sentence, but,
salutlng, he assumed an attitude a lit
tie more a than usual. The foils
felt one another, and oh, va val!" he
muttered: Il understand the droll!"
For half q minute or so the faces of
the onlookers reflected only a mild sur
prise, mingled with curiosity. But the
fencers a not made more than half
a dozen serious passes before his was
changed. before one face grew longer
and another more intent. A man who
was no fencer, and therefore no judge.
spoke. A fierce oath silenced him. An
other murmured an exclamation under
his breath. Payton's face became
slowly a dull red. At length Hal"
cried one, drawing in his breath. And
he was right. The maitre d'armes but
! ron CIiIi;1Sr 11r1oy %1o -~1~--t, -,
had touched his opponent. At once Lee
NOME sprang back out of danger. the
two points dropped. the two fencers
stood back to take breath.
For a few seconds the %colonels cha
grin was plain. Then he conquered the
feeling and smiled. 81 fear you are too
str rNa; for s4 me me he said:
answer. Not at all! 1t was fortune.
sare. know not what you were with
your right hand, out you are with the
left ware strong, Of the first force. It
is certain"
Payton, an expert, had been among
the earliest to discern the coloners
skill. With a sudden sinking of the
heart he had foreseen the figure he
would cut if Lemoine We're worsted; he
had endured a mcmen Of great fear.
But at this success he choked down his
apprehension. One more hit. one more
success on Lemoine's part, and he had
won the wager! But he could no long
er bear himself carelessly. While he
faltered. seeking for a gibe and finding
none, the two contestants had crossed
their foils again. Their tense features.
their wary movemer"s, made it clear
that they played for a victory Of which
neither was confident.
Apart from the wager, It was clear
that If Lemoine had not met his match
the captain had; and doubtless MANY
in the room on whose toes Payton had
trodden felt secret joy, pleased that the
bully of the regiment was like to meet
with a reverse and a master.
Whatever their thoughts. a quick
rally riveted all eyes on the fenc ,rs.
For a moment thrust and parry fol-
lowed one another so rapidly that the
unframed gaze could not distinguish
them or trace the play. The spectators
held their breath, expecting a hit with
each second. But the rally died away
again. neither Of the players had got
through the others guard, and now
| fhov fall 10 ~ YVnnra c1or,,l, A. ooy1s.I