Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-09-16

In position or deIense.
Now, Mime. de Ia Tour. though she |
expected to meet skillful swordsmen.
knew that IL she showed her own pro
dciency she would give herself away, |
for these men all knew that De la Tour
was a bungler. Being a woman, at
first her nerve failed her, and she came
very near losing her life by a single
thrust OF her adversary. The thought
of her two innocent children, who
would be rendered motherless II she
did not control herself made her per-
fectly cool. aud. though she did not do
what she was capable of doing. she did
all that was necessary. She dreaded
killing her adversary or even wound
ing him. She therefore sent his weap-
ON flying In the air.
De Fontayne picked 1t up with the
intention OF continuing the fight. but
his second interfered. claiming that
1t was not now his part to fight. BY
this time Yvon's nerve was as steady
as a rock. She pinked her adversary,
though unintentionally, then disarmed
him. The third man she served as she
had served the first. Then she strobe
away to her carriage without turning
back for Il glance at the three men.
who stood looking at one another and
her in establishment
But madame did not have d chance
to mount the steps OF the carriage the
| footman had let down for her. The
sound of horses hoofs was heard. and
| an officer. followed by a dozen horse
men. rode up.
"By order of his eminence the prime
| minister" he said, II arrest you all
| and am ordered TO conduct you to the
Palais Cardinal"
| The affair had got out at the bar,
racks, some one wishing to curry favor
with the man who ruled France hav-
ing peached. WON was permitted to
ride back to Paris in her carriage. the
others on horseback. all surrounded by
guards. At the Palais Cardinal they
were obliged to wait several hours be-
fore the minister was ready to receive
them; then when they were admitted
to his presence by the thundercloud
on his face they saw their doom.
won had worn her mask up to this
moment. The cardinal saw 1t and said
with icy sarcasm;
Lieutenant de la Tour. you remind
me of the ostrich, which hides his head
In the sand to conceal its body. Your
head will look better till am through
with 1t uncovered. You will oblige me
by removing your mask"
pardon, your eminence." interposed
De Fontayne, ~ doubt IL he is De la
Tour This one is marvel with the
rapier; De la Tour Ia an Indifferent
fencer. This one disarmed US all in
turn"
1--WE have need of such men," said
the cardinal to won. you would be
better employed in my service. l would
see you fence with Carrier. If you
head. Unmaskv
"If unmask, your eminence, can
not fight"
Not fight unmasked! Well. then,
wait till you have fought"
Carrier was one of those picked men
the cardinal kept about him for pro-
lection and n marvel with the rapier.
The two were given folls, this being a
great advantage to WON. who dreaded
bloodshed. For awhile 1t was drawn
game between the two, but finally, by
one of those quick moves that only q
gift nerve, so to speak. can accomplish
won placed the button OF her foil
against her adversary's heart.
Enough cried the cardinal. "Vic
tor, unmask"
won took OFF her face covering, and
; in doing so her hair, which had In SO
many trays became unloosened. fell
on her shoulders.
"a womanr' exclaimed Richelieu. as
tonished.
| "a woman. your excellency," she
, replied. "The wife of Lieutenant d.
Ia Tour"
"Your husband! Where is hep
"Sbut up in our country place.
} tricked him, Knowing of your emf
nence's edict against men fghtine
duels. determined to fight in hi
place. Surely the order does not apply
to women"
"You are very shrewd," said his emf
: nence dryly.
At this point an attendant anpounc
ed to the cardinal that Lieutenant d.
la Tour was without and begged to bt
| admitted The request was granted
: and De la Tour, very hot and very rec
} and very angry, entered. He looked
: at everybody, finally fixing his eyes OF
! his wife. Then he turned to the car
dinal.
: II have heard. your eminence, tina
r my wife has been fighting in my steat
and that the party was brought her'
i by your eminences order Meanwhile
, / have been shut up like a dog ant
: have just escaped"
! Your wife has saved you first from
3 better swordsman and second from
: my headsman." Then turning to won
8 mime. de la Tour. her majesty ha
: graciously appointed you her mistres
q of the robes. BY your pluck and skill
. you have saved every one OF thes
$ men. including POUR husband, from tn
i block"
$ Then won approached her HUSBAND
e shamefacedly. hung her head an,
glanced up at him appealingly. H
n half turned away from her with fold
r ed arms, tapping one arm with hi
g fingers.
+ "You have made me ridiculous" h
}. muttered.
..r .xxo,,t5v fp+arnooad tho oardina n