The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-06-02
THE TRIO
BY CUTHBERT r. KRAFT
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

leaving the third out in the cold, Our
case was an exception. Nevertheless
our trio was broken up, not by another
man. but by woman. She came be-
tween Gerald and George directly, then
between the two of them and me In
directly.
One evening l got telephone mes
sage from Gerald asking me to meet
him and George at the gymnasium at
10 O'Clock. He said they were to have
a fencing match and wished me to be
umpire. At that hour we would be
alone. When | got there, instead OF
finding the two together, Gerald met
me and said George would join us In
a few minutes. Meanwhile Gerald put
on a mask, took up foil ana amused
himself stabbing the wall. Presently
George came in. ! noticed he didn't
look at or say anything to Gerald
hut got ready at once for the match
Before taking position they put the
tips of their foils under my nose ana
Gerald said.
Take notice of these foils, Charlie
There was an accident at the -
Athletic club the other day with foils.
The button of one was snapped on
and a man got hurt. Afterward 1t
was charged that the man who held
the foil purposely used one without
button"
go on" | replied. THE buttons on
these foils won't come off, I'll guaran-
tee."
They set to. and the way they fenc-
ed, confess, puzzled me. Neither.
seemed to be trying to pink the other
Neither spoke to the other. They
seemed to be fencing against time.
''Oh. get move on you" said. Il
don't propose to sit here watching you
two fellows go to sleep"
go get me glass of water" said
George. my throat's dry as parched
corn"
went to the cooler and brought
him a glass of water. | didn't turn
nv back on them any longer than nee
essary to draw the water, but when
turned and went back to them they
both looked conscious.
Been stealing something's" l re-
marked
There was no reply from either
George very politely offered the glass
to Gerald, who thanked him very
much and declined Somehow it
struck me that there was something
unusual in this politeness between the
two. They would more likely have
chaffed each other, After taking a
sip of the water George set down the
glass, and they renewed the contest.
But what a difference! Each mans
eve was fixed on the others, Each
, watched for thrust as though his
life depended on it and parted ii
when it came with all the skill be
possessed. Every minute they became
more earnest And then | began to
notice look in their faces that sur
, prised and panied me. Their accus
toned friendliness was replaced by
: hate. Their eyes began to CLEAN; the
, blood mounted to their faces.
You two fellows had better stor
that fracas," | said. you're getting
{ riled"
They paid no attention to me. In
deed | doubt if they heard me, so in
tent were they on what they were do
ing. Presently l saw blood running
, from A cash on the back Of Gerald'E
I sword hand.
; Here" cried, "stop thisr'
, l was rising to get between then
, when Gerald made pass, breaking
through Georges guard, and | saw
, the foil go right through the flesh!
! mart of Georges arm. When it wa
withdrawn the sleeve was saturated
t with blood
In vain cried to them to desist
!. From friends they had become wilt
q animals. They paid no attention t
!. me, and so maddened were they tina
y I did not dare to force myself betwee
them. fearing to get stabbed. A re-
" stream trickling down Geralds leg wa
I. the next evidence of the seriousness o
the contest; then when Geralds pom
- was within an inch Of Georges heal
y the latter in the tenth part Of secon
turned it away. hurried to fin
a something with which to beat dow
"a the weapons and on facing the con
"a batants again saw a door open an
Helen Deane step into the room. VIVA
10 | would have needed, Il weapon, to az
: complish this girl did by her simp
O presence. The men lowered their foil
"a How did you get on to this?" aske
W Gerald.
% Your sister overheard"
n. well"
n Drop those foils, both Of you,
II you value my acquaintance"
i. The fois ratified on the floor.
10 al have known you three friends IL
N a long while" Helen continued.
"a will admit that one of you | love-"
SIS it II" asked Gerald quickly.
IA mo"
al" asked George
a. mo"
Nv The two men looked at each othe
then both turned toward me.
n "Charlle?" asked both at once.
Ia YES"
They could have knocked me dow
~ with a feather | had wOrshiped hi
n secretly. but not dreaming that ha
n any chance with either of the others.
h. "See the lady home, Charlie" sal
70 George. Wen attend to these cuts
at Is time you did" said and, ofte
AZ ing my arm to the prize, escortt
~ her to her carriage, and we role
away together.
Willing, but Cautious.
"yog my 11uohtpT pIOupd "