The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-09-12
at her side and. drawing it. put herself
in position Of defense.

Now, Nine. de Ia Tour. thouph sha
expected TO meet slkillful swordsmen
knew that If she showed her own nro'
ficiency she would give herself awav
for these men all knew that De Ia Tour
was 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 dld
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 IL up with the
intention Of continuing the fight. bur
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 glance at the three men.
who stood looking at ono another and
her in astonishment.
But madame did not have a 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 hay
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 it and said
with icy sarcasm:
Lieutenant de In 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 it uncovered. You will oblige me
by removing your mask"
Pardon, your eminence," interposed
De Fontayne, 81 doubt If he is De Ia
| Tour. This one is a marvel with the
napier; De In Tour is 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. would
see you fence with Carrier If you
can disarm Carrier you Will save your
head. Unmaskw
IF unmask, your eminence, I can
not fight"
mot 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 marvel with the rapier.
The two were given foils, this being a
great advantage to WON. who dreaded
! bloodshed. For awhile it 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. unmaskv'
WON took of her face covering, and
in doing so her hair, which had In so
many trays became unloosened, fell
on her shoulders.
"a womanw exclaimed Richelieu, as
tonished.
"a woman, your excellency," she
replied. 1.-THE wife of Lieutenant do
la Tour"
"Your husbandl Where is hep
"Shut up in our country place. 1
tricked him. Knowing of your emil
nence's edict against men fighting
duels, / determined to fight in his
place. Surely the order does not apply
to women"
You are very shrewd," said his emf
nence dryly.
At this point an attendant announc-
ed to the cardinal that Lieutenant de
In Tour was without and begged to be
admitted. The request was granted.
and De Ia Tour. very hot and very red
and very angry. entered. He looked
at everybody, finally fixing his eyes on
his wife. Then he turned to the car
| dinal
II have heard. your emlnence, that
my wife has been fighting In my stead
and that the party was brought here
by your eminence's order. Meanwhile
1 have been shut up like dog ana
have just escaped"
"Your wife has saved you first from
a better swordsman and second from
my headsman." Then turning to Yvon'
"Mme. de Ia Tour. her majesty mas
graciously appointed you her mistress
of the robes. BY your pluck and Skin
you have saved every one OF these
men, including your husband. from the
| block"
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