The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1912-05-16

Advancing from his antagonists po-
sition three preternaturally serious
gentlemen OF France Ia black frock
coats and straight-brimmed silk hats
waded ankle deep IN dripping grass to
meet ORourke's representatives
The two parties met, saluted one an
other with immense reserve. and re-
tired to a suitable distance to con-
fer; something which they did word
lily, with enthusiasm, and many pic
turesque gestures. At first strangely
amicable, the p~roceedingp soon struck
a snag. A serious difference Of opin-
ion arose. ORourke OWNED that the
conference had gone into executive
session upon the question Of weapons
He treated himself to a secret grin,
having anticipated this trouble.
The choice Of weapons being his,
as the challenged. he had modestly Sc
lected revolyers and had brought with
him a brace Of Webleys. burly pieces
Of pocket ordnance with short barrels
and cylinders chambered to hold half
a dozen As cartridges. They were not
pretty, for they had seen service In
their owners hands for a number Of
years. but they were undeniably built
for business. And at sight Of them
the friends Of the vicomte recoiled In
horror.
Eventually a compromise was ar
rived at. Monsieur Juilliard stepped
back. saluted. and with Won Einem re-
turned to his principal. his face a
mask Of disappointment. As for him
self, he told O'Rourke, he was DESC
lated, but the seconds Of Monsieur des
Trebes had positively refused to con
sent to turning a meeting Of honor
Into a massacre. They proposed to
substitute regulation French dueling
pistols as sanctioned by the Code.
Such as that which Monsieur le Col
onel O'Rourke might observe in Mon
sieur Juilliayd's hand.
O'Rourke blinked and smiled at II.
Sure" he commended, " tbs a magnify
ing glass l need to make It visible to
me undressed eye. What the divvle
does 1t carry-a dried pea? What
d'they think we're here for. II not to
slay one another with due ceremony?
Ask them that. Am I to salve the
vicomte's wounded honor by shifting
him with a spitball? l grant ye, tbs
magnificent, but tbs not a pistol"
Grumbling, he allowed himself to
be persuaded. AS he had foreseen and
p~rophesied. so had It come to pass.
Yet he had to grumble. partly because
he vas the O'Rourke. partly for eff
feet
None the less, he consented, and In
the highest spirits left the car and
plowed through the lush wet grass
to the spot selected for the encounter,
in the shadow Of the trees near the
eastern border Of the meadow. Here
the seconds having tossed for sides
he took a stand at one end of a sixty.
foot stretch and, stin %indecorously
amused, received a loaded pistol from
Won Einem.
Des Trebes confronted him. white
with rage, regretting already
(O'Rourke made no doubt that he had
not accepted the Webieys. The Irish
mans open contempt maddened the
man.
AMH EGAUnMa AENAAG Gu " a ~ AGGNAa
safe distance, Won Einem holding the
watch. n OF Des Trebes seconds
handkerchief. The chauffeurs threw
away their cigarettes and sat up. fol
the first time reused out Of their pro
fessional air Of blase Indifference.
zone" cried the German clearly.
Des Trebes raised HIS arm and lev
eled his pistol at O'Rourke's head. a
faint flush colored his face, but hi
eye vas cold and hard behind thu
sight and the hand that held the
weapon was as steady as II supported
by an invisible rest.
1.-TWO" said Won Einem,
O'Rourke measured the distaucI
with his eye and raised his arm from
the elbow only. holding the pistol witt
! a loose grip.
Three. said Won Einem
The handkerchief fell
The Irishman fred without moving
Des Trebes' weapon was discharges
almost simultaneously, but with a ru
ined aim; It's bullet went nowhere Il
particular. The Frenchman droppe'
the weapon and. winding. examined sC
n%citously a knuckle from whicI
{ O'Rourke's shot had struck a tiny PAL
ticle Of skin His seconds rushed 4
: him with cries. preceded by the SUI
, geon with bandages O'Rourke grace
fully surrendered his artillery 70 Jail
lard. laughed 81 the gicomte again
g and atrolled back 10 the m~otorcar.
Juilard and Won Einem present.!
Joined him. the former insistontly ana
q lous to have O'Rourke descend ami
e clasp the hand Of fraternal ~iriendahil
b with the Uc0mte. But the lrishmal
refused.
d Faith. mol" be laughed "Niver
. I'm too umorous a man to dare q
s Sire and hasn't be hugged both al