Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-22

But there are plenty of his due bills
on the market, are there not?'
They are perfectly good. His grand
father is very feeble and cannot live
the year out. At his death the captain
will come into fine es,.te.''
How many of Ven BalIenstein's due
bills can you buy--I mean TO what ag-
gregate amountT
None at a discount"
'At Premium
whatever amount is desired"
Very well. Go and buy as many as
possible and report TO me this evening
what you have succeeded in doing"
Sitting down before desk she wrote
him a check for such funds as he would
need for the purpose. though he pro-
tested that any funds in advance from
her were not necessary. He left her,
assuring her that he would have no
difficulty in filing her order and the
troubled look that had rested on her
face partly disappeared.
The same evening the broker reported
that he had purchased various due bills
signed by Captain Won Ballenstein to
the amount of 10000 marks. and. re-
turning her balance Of 10000 marks
less his commission. left her.
The next evening. Notwithstanding
that she had refused Darlington per-
mission to see her again before his
| meeting with Captain Won Ballenstein.
he called. as she expected he would.
| for final goodby.
"You are beginning TO realize your
/ position. | perceive" she said. noticing
| a sadness resting on his features.
/ There is an especial cause for re-
| greet" he replied.
| "And that tsp
81 have been suddenly made aware
! Mt the approach of almost certain death
! that there is one would not leave"
! Miss Crosby cast down her eyes and
! waited. harrington continued:
Were it not for this prospect of be-
ing snuffed out I could not muster
courage to tell an heiress that, were I
permitted to live. my life would be
worthless to me without her. Since I
must die I feel privileged to do so.
Madeline. l love you"
An hour later harrington left Miss
Crosby's residence, the sadness with
! which he had entered In one respect
relieved, in another intensified. He
knew she loved him and that there
was little doubt that he would be killed
in his coming encounter. His only
hope was that his enemy would leave
a little life in him and that be might
recover.
The ground on which the affair was
to take place was in n secluded spot
near Berlin. Won Ballenstein arrived
first and found man waiting TO- him,
who stepped up to him and presenting
a bit of paper said:
Herr Captain, l hold your note for
$1,000 marks. Before you put your
life in jeopardy I insist on payment"
The captain looked annoyed rs he re-
piled that he could not so suddenly
I raise the amount. and that his reputa-
ton for skill in such matters precluded
t. likelihood that he would be even
injured But his creditor stood firm
and. turning to a man whom he had
brought with him, said:
Herr Sheriff. you will make the ar
rest"
One of Won Ballenstein's seconds
stepped up and, learning Of the pro-
posed arrest for debt asked the
amount of the bill. When it was given
him he wrote an order on his bank
for it. At the same time harrington
arrived. and the captains party were
about to measure off the ground when
the creditor produced another due bill
this time for 10000 marks. This
amount was taken care of by another
of Won Ballenstein's friends. but the
obligations kept coming. They were
all secured till $1,000 marks had been
disposed of. when the funds of the
party gave out. Three thousand marks
remained to he paid.
harrington had been a silent spec
tator of these proceedings up to this
point when he was Informed that the
duel must be deferred till his adversary
bad returned to the city and arranged
for the payment of the remaining 1900
marks.
1T would be pity that Captain Won
, Ballenstein should be deprived Of the
pleasure Of killing me for the want of
so small an amount | have that
much in letter OF credit which | viii
make over to this bloodsucker and we
will proceed"
This was too much for Captain Won
Ballenstein. Il not only withdraw my
| challenge" he said TO Darlington. "but
r permit me to apologize for having
| laughed at your attempt TO express
= yourself in the German language"
Then the party returned to Berlin and
] to breakfast
= Madeline Crosby. now Mrs. Barring
ton. kept the secret of her strategic
: interference that saved her lover. 1t
= was supposed In Berlin that Won Bal.
lensteins creditors really prevented the
. fight BargngtOn's offer TO 20 Sc
Gurity for his opponents debt that tina
2 captain might he permitted to kill hisa
= was favoraby c0nmented on and the
e latter was excused by his fellow Of
= ficers of the army for not making
. mincemeat If one with such thorough
bred instincts.
A