New-York tribune., 1910-09-18


the Fairholme Earldom was created; ouC
there has been a Comte Marigny on the
Loire since 1434. OF course, you understand
that do not mention this trivial tact IN any
ridiculous spirit of bOast1ng. | put II loI-
ward only as constituting claim TO Ger
tain equality. That is all Unfortunately
recent events in my family have robbed me
of those necessary appurtenances to rank
and position which happier fate has pre-
served to you. | am poor, you are r1ch;
must marry wife with money, you can
afford to marry for love. Why then, VS.
count Medenham, should you step in and
rob me of a rich wife,"
In spite of his loathing of the means
adopted by this self proclaimed rival to
snatch an advantage, Medenham did not
hesitate to reply, My answer to that is, OF
course, that | have done nothing of the sort.
simply intervened between a crew OF adj
venturers and their possible, though most
improbable, victim.
Unfortunately, our points Of view are
irreconcilable,' went on the Frenchman
airily. Il might claim that the term advcn-
turer. as applied to me, is a harsh one. You
may inquire where and how you chooSe IN
Paris. and vou will find no discredit attached
to nv name. But that phase of the difficulty
is now of no consequence. Let us keep to
the main issue Some three months ago |
made the acquaintance OF a lady htted IN
every respect to fill my ideal. was on good
terms with-her father, and by no means dis
tasteful to the lady herself. Given tar
opportunity, thought might WIN her, ana
was Duzz1inq nv wits to know how best to
attain that most desirable end, when Fate
apparently opened a way. But you have no
doubt observed in life that, while one can
seldom misinterpret FateS froWnS, her
smiles can be misleading Sometimes they
are little else than malicious leers. 1t was
so now, and quickly found that had erred
badly in thinking that | had been Vouch-
safed a golden opportunity
Cant YOU spare me some of this theoriz-
ing?" broke in Nledenham with cold 1npa-
tience You happened to send for me at
moment when | was exceedingly ANXIOUS to
meet YOU. The fact that | am here IN
response to your request stops me from car
rving out the special purpose | had IN view
That can wait, though not very long At
any rate, YOU might save yourself some ha1r
splitting and me some exercise OF self re-
straint by telling me what 1t IS that you
want.
"A thousand regrets if | am boring you,
said NTarigny leaning back in the chair and
lavine the cigarette on the mantelpieCe.
Yet bear with me little while, pray you;
these explanations are necessary. a sane
man acts with motive, and it is only reason
able that you should understand my motive
before you hear my project
All then, there is project:
Eyes. You have stepped in between me
and the realization of my dearest wish, OF
nv main object in life. You are, take it, a
soldier and a gentleman. There is way
by which men of honor settle these disputes
| invite you to follow 1t.
THE fantastic proposal was made with an
L air of dignity that robbed it of any in
herent ludicrousness. Greatly as he desplsed
this man, NIedenham could not wholly con-
ceal the wonder that leaped to his eyes. Are
YOU suggesting that we should fight duel!
he asked, smiling with incredulity, yet con-
strained to believe that Marigny was really
speaking in cold blood.
"Yes-oh, yes. A duel-no make be
lieve." A'curious change came into Marigny's
voice at that instant. He seemed to bark
each staccato phrase, vindictlve FIRE
cleaned in his black eyes. and the olive tint
Showed beneath the pink and white of his
skin.