The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1911-12-14
CHAPTER " ncontinned,.

prepared for the act of cowardice
winch followed. For before Il could
recover myself I felt rather than saw
my antagonist thrust at me, and l in
voluntarily closed my eyes as l waited
TO feel his sword in my flesh. But at
tnat instant there came a ringing clash
OF steel on steel, and 1 opened my eyes
TO see the ~scoundrel's weapon flying
over the heads of the spectators.
"Ah, de Care" cried Richelieu, for
1t was he who had disarmed him, land
yet you dare associate with gentlemen!
III gave you your deserts l would run
you through where you stand. But l
prefer killing you with your sword in
your hand. so follow me to the street,
and we will finish this argument. Stand
back, de Brancas." he continued to me,
as l attempted to interfere. This is
my quarrel. 1t was l whom they in
suited"
The Comte de Care, foaming with
rage. picked up his sword and followed
to the street. The sentiment of the
crowd was plainly with Richelieu. and
a moment later when I looked abou
for de Cares companions they had dis
appeared. a ring CT curious spectators
formed around the two men, n their
swords were ringing together in al in
slant. Before a moment passed I saw
that de Care had found his master.
He realized it. too, n his face went
from red to white as he felt the dukes
iron wrist n saw the implacable pur-
pose in his eyes. Plainly it was only
the question of a few moments. The
duke was playing with him, parrying
almost carelcssly his savage thrustS,
and advancing his own point nearer
and nearer to his heart. The onlookers
waited with bated breath for the thrust
x"ltoh. f1px, Ir,,@,- -.,,1 Jn faHnl
You shall see. gentlemen" cried
Rici1elieu, gayly, for his self possession
had returned the instant he felt his adj
versary's sword against his own. "the
proper way to deal with towards. This
fellow has presumed to be seen in the
company of gentlemen, and l am glad
that 1t was reserved for my sword to
punish him.. All, you break" he crieo
again, for the other had given back a
step.
1, who was standing at the duqe's side,
saw a kind of ferocity spring to life in
de Cares eyes, and 1 noticed that his
left hand was no longer behind him,
but was concealed in the folds of his
doublet. Something, 1 new not what,
made mesuSpect the man.
BE ON guard. moniour,' I cried to
Richelieu, "he means some ~treachery,"
and even as l spoke he drew forth his
hand and threw a poniard full at
Richelieu's heart. AT the same instant
comprehending de Cares purpose, l
pushed Richelieu to one side. l felt a
sharp, hot pain in my right shoulder,
and knew thatthe dagger had wounded
me. With a terrible cry Richelieu
sprang forward, and fairly beating
down his guard. plunged his sword to
the hilt in his breast. De Care made
grasped the sword, drew it from the
wound, and fell to the street, the blood
gushing forth in a torrent. He breathed
convulsively pee or twice, with the
crowd looking down upon him, his eyes
glazed. a shudder ran through his body.
and he was dead.
Thus perish all coward" said Richie
lieu. And then. turning to me, You
saved my life. de Rrancas. Twas a
brave act
mo more than you have twice done
for me, monsieur" I answered. Il
have only half paid my d"bt."
but you are wounded" he cried,
seeing that l held my handkerchief to
my shoulder and that it was red with
blood THE dagger struck you, then?
Let me see how serious it is" n he
was tearing the doublet away from my
shoulder ere I had time to protest.
IT'S only a flesh wound. monsieur"
I said, Pray do not trouble about
Trouble about it. indeed. Come in
here with me-" and he dragged rather
than led me into the cafe again. Come,
Maitre Delorme," he cried to the pro-
prietor, who was still wringing his
hands and bewailing the destruction
of his glasses, bring me water and
clean linen, and be quick about it. All.
here is one who will know how to dress
the wound" he added, as a tall, clean
shaver man, dressed severely in black,
flushed his way through the crowd
Upon my word, Levau, you come in
the nick OF ime I have a patient
for you,'' and he turned me over to the
famous surgeon
The latter in n moment had examined
the wound, with puckered brow, washed
it in clean water, spread some cooling
lotion upon it, which he took from a
case he carried in his pocket, n Sc
curely bandaged it. Not till Their did
he deign to speak.
"A mere nothing" he said, for a man
who has good blood in his veins, as my
! friend here has. A little soreness for
a week, perhaps, a stiffness for a fort
night, and then only n memory"
Indeed, l am Wondrous pleased to
hear it," said Richelieu. shaking his
hand warmly, and leaving a gold piece
in il. | do not doubt. but what have
we here?" and he turned towards the
door, whence came q sudden commo-
ton.
For the king" cried a voice. For
the king! Make way, messieurs.'
"The regent" exclaimed someone and
then a strange stiffness fell upon the
place, save for Richelieu, who hummed
: one of LulIi's gay airs.
The crowd parted to right and left
and | saw advancing towards us a large
heavy set man, with red face and eyes
which seemed to run one through.
"Nho hath lone this?" he cried
"Who hath killed the Comte de Care
one of my faithful friends"
ITO me belongs the honor, monsieur
said Richelieu in a cool voice, but bow
ing low. II regret to learn he was a
friend of yours. for he was a coward
and a william, and deserved to die by
the rope, not by the sword. like
The regents face turned from red tc
purple, and | looked to see him rush
unon Richelieu and half drew my sword
But with an effort he restrained himseli
and his next words came in a voice
strangely calm, yet infinitely more
menacing h any violence could have
been.
"Ah. I have the honor of seeing the
Due de Riohelieu, have l not? Bu1
they tell me there were two men OPP
posed to de Care"
"Monsieur," cried Richelieu, whoever
said that lied. A friend of mine in,
tar,oeed to save me from a treacherous