Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1911-06-01

barrassiug position 10 inns the baron
replied chat he would be Mt home on a
certain date. arriving on midnight
train.
The evening of Won Hilderschof's
expected arrival the baroness wrote
note TO her protector and one TO the
man from whom she was being pro
tected. asking them TO call upon her.
They met. The scowl that lowered
mon Manteufe's brow was like a
thunderstorm In the Alps. Believing
that he acted in the interest Of his
friend instead of from the promptings
OF jealousy. forgetting that he had not
been commissioned TO pick a quarrel
with the man his friend disliked, he
walked right INTO a trap and before he
had been in Won Gethart's presence
half an hour had in the most gentle
manly manner in the world insulted
him. II happened in this wise:
Il do not think" said the baroness,
THAT your men in Germany have the
respect. the reverence, for women our
men in America have
"You are right. baroness" sad Man
teufel, looking tlercey at Gethart.
1--WE have here in Berlin men who
would not hesitate to take advantage
of a woman left unprotected by her
husband
A brief silence marked this throwing
down the gauntlet. after which the
lady turned the conversation into 9th
er channels. A few minutes later Ge-
thart bowed himself out, and the bar
oness Indicated to Manteufel that she
would prefer TO he alone. AS soon as
he had gone she called in n manserv-
ant and said TO him:
Heinrich. I have very delicate Job
for YOU
What is it, baronessT'
Count Gethart and Captain Manteu-
fel are about to fight Il duel, wish
you to inform me as to the time and
place of the meeting"
II could not well do that. baroness,
except that the valet of Count Won
Gethart is my friend This may help
| me out"
At - midnight Baron Won Hider-
schoff returned and found his wife
waiting to greet him
well" ne said after eXhausting or
| binary matters that had occurred dur
| ing his absence. how about this Won
| Gcthaw? uas he been offensive in his
| attentionSt"
Not ut all. but your friend Captain
| Manteufel has been more loyal to you
| during your absence than has been
necessary"
How soT'
HE evidently knows that you don't
like the count and has assumed to
keep him away from me-"
so"
"Yes They met here this evening.
Manteufel insultcd Won Gethart. and
they are going to fight"
$50" repeated the baron. opening
his eyes very wide.
Eyes The affair will be the talk OF
| Berlin"
Great heavenr' exclaimed the bar
| on.
1--WE must interfere"
How
81 have sent Heinrich to discover
the time and place I am expecting
him back every moment"
"Himmel, may he be successful
| 1t was . o'clock when Heinrich re-
| turned, and all he knew was that a
carriage had been ordered by Count
| Won Gethart to be Mt his door at
| O'clock in the morning But this was
| not enough The baron and his wife
| ordered their own carriage to be ready
| Mt half past 3. drove to a point near
| the counts residence saw him leave
| and followed him to grove near
the city. where his carriage stopped
and be and companion alighted
Another carriage had just arrived The
| baron and baroness alighted some dis
lance from the others. The day was
| breaking when they saw two men tax
ing positions for a duel Then they ad-
vanced
Gentlemen" cried the baron, "will
you kindly inform me as to the cause
Of this quarrelT"
Both men, astonished, stood mute,
Il have been informed by the bar
| oness," continued Won Hilderschoff.
that there has been trouble between
you two. If my wife has anything to
do with it I beg you to put up your
swords. Neither Of you need be con-
| cerned about her. I alone assume to
defend her"
Both the men addressed looked as If
they wished the earth would open and
swallow them. but it was Manteufel
who seemed especially crushed He
had gone on the field believing that
he was protecting his friends wife
but cherished a hope that knowledge
Of the quarrel might never reach his
friend
Gentlemen said the baroness with
q certain sweetness that never de-
serted her. 1--WE should be pleased to
see You both at dinner this evening"
You are very kind, but began the
count
Really, baroness. you must ex-
ouse'- began the captain. But the
lady simply put them both in the POI
sluon Of being ungallant if they de-
oIned, and both gave reluctant ac-