Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-09-24

CHAPTER XIV.
DISCLOSURES.

Ahml1hALL sat IN the once
OF the consulate. Bis letter
ofresignatiou was on its way.
but II would be in November
before be heard definitely from the
department. BY that time the great
SHOWS would have blanketed the earth
and the nadir Of his discomfort would
be reached. But what 10 do tin that
timer He could ride for some weeks.
but riding without companionship was
rather q lonesome affair. His own de-
fiance OF the chancellor had erected a
barrier between her hiEhneSs and him
self They would watch him now.
evade him. put small obstacles IN his
path. obstacles against which he could
enter no reasonable complaint. A
withered leaf. a glove and a fan--these
represented the sum OF his romance.
Two figures moved IN the garden be
meath. when the two heads came to-
gether swiftly and then separated, both
smiling, be realized that he had wit
messed a kiss. All. here was the OF
portunity. and. by the Lord Harry, he
would not let Il slip. II this fellow
meant wrongly toward Gretchen-and
how could be mean else7-he Carmi-
chaeL would take the matter boldly
into his hands TO do some Gaming. He
laughed Here would be another SOU
venir. 10 nave caned-
he jumped to his feet dropped his
pipe on the sill OF the window and
made for his hat and sword cane The
clerk went on with his writing.
To gain the garden Carmichael
ern. The first person he encountered
was Colonel Won Wallenstein. Wallen-
stein spoke TO Frau Bauer. who an
swered him with cold civility. waIen-
stein twirled his mustache. laughed
and went into the garden. Neither
Gretchen nor the vintuer saw Wallen-
stein. He watched them with an evil
smile. After some deliberation he
walked lightly toward the lovers.
a pretty picurer he said
Leave US. Gretchen" said the vint-
ner. With deceiving gentleness.
Gretchen started reluctantly down
the path. As she stepped or the path
70 so round the colonel ne grasped her
rudely and kissed her on the cheek
She screa med. and this scream brought
Carmichael upon the scene. He saw
the winner run forward and dash his
fist into the soldiers face. Wallenstein
fell back hurt and blinded The vint-
ner. active as cat saw Carmichael
coming on a run. lie darted toward
him and before Carmichael could pre-
vent him dragged the sword cane
away. The b,lde. thin and plant.
flashed and none too soon. The colonel
had already drawn his saber.
"Save himr' Gretchen wrunC her
hands
The two blades met spitefully. Half
a dozen thrusts aud parties convinced
the colonel that the raging youth knew
what he was doing. Down swooped
the saber cuttingly. The blade OF the
sword cane snapped Ike a pipestem.
The latter came on. and there was
deaths intent
Meantime Carmichael had found n
short hop pole. He hit the saber with
good Will. Back came the steel The
colonel did not care whom or what be
struck at now When Carmichael re-
turned the compliment he swung his
bop pole as the old crusaders did their
broRdswords. The saber dropped IN
injured. but the colonel's arm dangled
at his side. He was IN agony. Car
michaeps anger abated none.
You're a fine example OF a soldieri
Are you mad 10 attack a man this
way2 They viii break you for this, or
my names not Carmichael
Il shall kill you for thisi"
bah! l have fought more times
than you have years 10 your counting"
with good, Yankee spirit But II you
think I'll waste my time in lighting o
duel with you. you're up the wrong
tree"
go 20 the DEVIL"
mot just at present There's too
much for me 20 do"
Gretchen and the vintner had van
ished. Carmichael agreed that II was
the best thing for them 70 do. The
vintner was no coward. but he was
discreet Somebody might ask ques-
lions. SO Carmichael returned TO the
consulate. equally Indifferent what the
colonel did or where be went or the
vintner he thought. The hot headed
young fool 10 risk his life ike THAR
He would see later what be meant IN
regard 20 Gretchen Poor little goose
girl
Are you hurt, excelencyY' asked
the clerk solicitously.
"HurtP
yes I heard a woman scream and
ran 70 the window. II was a good
fight. But that fellow-achl To run
away and leave you. an outsider, TO
nght his battleF
He would have been sliced In two
If hadn't come to the front A hop
pole isn't half bad. I'll bet that lady's
man has bad arm for some time TO
come. AS for the vintner, he had good
reasons for taking TO his heels"
Good reasons?" But there was a
sly look I'm the clerks eyes.
mo questions. If you please"
VERY well. excellency." And quietly
the clerk returned to his table of 6g-
ures. But later he intended to write
a letter. unsigned. 10 his serene high
ness