Connecticut western news., 1910-03-10
He Stopped 1t By CHAUNCEY WARDWEu Copyright. 1910, by American Press
 Association.


 hind him when he heard an "Ahem" spoken in n soft voice.
 Looking up, he saw just above the wall face. It was young, round, rosy face incased in curly chestnut locks and visible from chin to crown. But below the chin was only a stone wall. The body was invisible.
 Pardon me, your majesty" said a girls voice. "I have something to ask your majesty, and if I had taken to serve the purpose"
 What is it, child?' asked the king.
 "I have heard that your majesty Is greatly opposed to the practice of duel ing. so much in vogue just now"
 Surely you do not wish permission to kill any one"
 "Oh, no, your majesty! 1 wish you to stop duel'
 Between whom?"
 Captain Fritz Gucnther and Lieu tellnt Carl Hoffman,"
 What interest have you in these men"
 No interest whatever in Captain Guenther. He is q professed duelist. He picked a quarrel with Carl on my account. Guenther is a fine swords man and would doubtless kill Carl"
 "Hmw grunted the king, noticing q tremor in the girls voice. This Hoff- man is doubtless either your brother or your lover"
 He is not my brother" said the girl, blushing.
 "I see. Well, l shall send word to them both that they cannot fight with out my permission"
 The girls head disappeared, and the king went into the palace. There he directed that royal order be sent to the duelists that they should not fight without his permission, for which they must apply in person.
 That evening it was announced to the king that Captain Guenther and Lieutenant Hoffman asked for an audi ence. The king directed that they be admitted.
 "Well, young men," he said when they came before him, "what can do for you%
 "Please, your majesty" said Captain Guenther, i've wish to fight q duel" "And do you join in the application?" asked the kiug of Hoffman.
 q do, sire"
 '''Very well. The application is grant ed on two conditions-I must choose the ground and be present at the en- counter"
 '"So high an honor I surely did not expect" said Captain Guenther, much elated.
 Nor l." said Lieutenant Hoffman.
 "Will your majesty graciously ap- point the hour of meetingY' asked the captain.
 "Ten o'clock tomorrow morning." re piled the king.
 And the place?" asked the lieuten- ant.
 Tn the square directly in the rear of the palace"
 The duelists thought such a place very public, especially at an hour when many people would be passing, but neither dared object. So they went away, Captain Guenther delight ed that he was to fight in the pres ence of his king and Lieutenant Hoff- man quite sure that his opponent would take all the more pleasure at killing him in the presence of so au- gust witness.
 The next morning the regiment, act ing as the kings bodyguard, surround ed the open square in the rear of the palace, where the meeting was to take place. A few minutes before 10 o'clock two carriages drove up to the square, each containing one of the principals and his seconds. An officer informed them that they could not enter the square until after the arrival of the king, so they waited in the carriages. Presently the king, who had been in- specting since early morning, rode up to the square on horseback. The troops made an opening for him, and, return ing their salute, he rode on to the duel ing ground
 When q few minutes later the duel ists were admitted the first thing that attracted their attention was a gal lows in the center of the square, be- hind which sat their sovereign on his horse. They were puzzled. When they came near to the king both uncovered, and Guenther asked:
 May it please your majesty to tell us what this means"
 Tt means," said the king grimly, "that the man who survives will be hanged as high as Haman on that glib bet"
 It was not only evident that the king was not favorably disposed to- ward duelinG, but that he would keep his word in the present instance. The two officers retired and spoke to their seconds while the king waited. Imme- diately the seconds went to his maj esty and informed him that the two officers would not think of doing that which their sovereign disapproved. Then the kirg rode away.
 Frederick directed that the name and residence of the girl who had