El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-03-20
THE DUEL
By Hans DOrff.

~ ROM Mrs. Amanda KroneberR's
boudoir came one of the men
who belong to the reserves Of do
nestle warfare. He was physician
But this particular physician was a
real good friend OF Herr Kroneberg.
the young banker, and feminine intui-
ton might have told the wife that he
was consequently OF no value to her as
an ally.
For a long time she had felt tired
and bored. she cared nothing for any
OF the pleasures OF gay Berlin and at
last her husband, who was willing TO
crafty her every WISH came to the
conclusion that she must be seriously
When the doctor left the bankers
stately mansion, Kroneberg followed
him down stairs and overlook him just
as he was about to enter his car. The
banker sat down next to his friend
and the car started
We'll. doctor" he said. what do you
think is the matter with my wife2"
My dear friend, she is no more sick
than you or I"
Il think you are too severe on her"
Not at all I give you my word OF
honor that she is absolutely well phys
Physically. you say! Then you
mean, 1 suppose, that she shows signs
Of some mental distress But what can
possibly have affected her mind2"
Il have tried TO find IL out in every
possible way but in vain"
Perhaps she has a secret wish?"
She knows very well she would only
have to tell you"
But she is sick, and you might at
least give her sickness a name"
If you really insist, 1 will-she is
suffering from ennui"
Ennuii But she has the choice Of
all the entertainments Of Berllnt
Perhaps il were better II she had
not Too much Of anything is de-
pressing and unWhOlesOme, because
person will always be craving for new
exciting stimulants."
Now, Edward, do you want 10
scare me2"
Not at al. only want you to think
a little more Of your wife. To prove
what I mean, I viii tell you part OF
our converse tion today. She was en-
tirely Indifferent 10 all subjects
brought up, but she grew immensely
as soon as / happened 10
mention the dueling affair which is
the talk Of all Berlin. When I had
told her all I knew about il, a strange
CLEAN came into your Wife's eyes. She
was silent for moment, then she
sighed and said as-if to herself: How
happy that woman must ber You call
her happy2 1 exclaimed of course I
DO she said; can a man give a better
proof Of his love Of a woman than
risking his life for her sake% Yes, but
Is it then absolutely necessary for a
man to let himself be shot down IN or
der TO prove his lOve2 Does not many
a HUSBAND wear himself out working /
IN order to make his wife happy? I
Perhaps you are right she said, but
you must admit that a sacrifice IS (
worth more when all the world 4
knows about II than when II is per- I
formed in silence within four walls
Don't you understand" the banker ]
interrupted, my wife has"
Been brought up in q convent" said 4
the doctor, at the same time ordering I
his chauffeur to stop. You will ex- 4
cuse me, 1 have patient TO visit in 1
this house"
For three hours Kroneberg sat pom /
dering in his private office. Then an /
dea came to him He put on his over I
coat and drove straight to his inti- /
mate friend, former army officer.
You have often given me proofs Of 4
your friendship" he said to him. but i
lere is an opportunity TO prove Il bet
ter than ever"
What do you want me to do2"
1 want you just for once to be
sure and come to my dinner party to-
night"
yes. will do that much for YOU.
though I would much rather stay at
home But is that alp"
No, you must promise me to court /