River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-09
CHAPTER xl.-(contInued.)

y
"A plan after your own heart; 40
your courage the credit to believe IT,
monsieur. With another man, whom
i had studied less eXhaustlvely, /
should propose combination Oh
forces, a division of profits" O'Rourke
made an impatient gesture. But WIN
you. Colonel O'Rourke, no. esteem
your address and determination too
highly and-pardon me If speak
plainly despise and hate you too
utterly to become willingly your part
ner"
Go OIL begin to like ye better.
We grow interesting"
THAT does not interest me.
The situation, then, is simplified Es-
centrally it involves two propositions:
first. we cannot combine; second d.
vided we both fail. While both of us
live. mon colonel. the Pool of Flame
will never earn its value"
IT'S meself takes exception to
that. Let me once get me hands on
the stone, monsieur. and I'll back me-
self against a dozen vicomtes-and
honorables."
while | live" the Frenchman stat
ed unrufled; you will not touch the
Pool of Flame; while you live, l can
not dispose of it to the best ad-
vantage 1t would seem that one or
the other OF us must die"
Il am armed" remarked O'Rourke
slowly. IF We mean we've brought me
here to murder me-"
Monsieur speaks-pardon-c
ly. asked you, you came Of your
own will--to fight for the Pool of
Flame" O'Rourke started; a CLINT OF
understanding danced in his eager
eyes. Il see you catch my meaning.
What ! have to propose is this: you
will take pen and paper and write
the name of the person who offers the
reward, with his address. This you
will enclose in an envelope, seal, and
place in your pocket. The Pool OF
Flame-you see trust you-is here"
ORourke got upon his feet with an
exclamation; the vicomte was play.
Ing bold hand. Before the Irishman
mad grasped his intention he had
thrown upon the table a ruby as large.
or larger, than an egg; an exquisite
jewel, superbly cut and polished
Fascinated, O'Rourke remembered
himself and sat down.
You see.' The vicomtes cold In
cisive tones cut the silence. Slowly
he extended a hand and took up the
great ruby. replacing it in his pocket.
There is he said evenly, level
stretch of grass beyond the veranda.
The night, | admit. is dark. but the
light from these long windows should
be sufficient for us. If you STAY me,
take the ruby and go In peace: this
sot"-with q contcmptuous glance at
the unconscious honorable-"will new
er hinder you. If you die, | take the
note from your pocket The issue is
fair Will you fight. lrishman?"
O'Rourke's fist crashed upon the
table as he rose. Fight" he cried.
Faith, did not think We had this in
ye. Pistols. shall it he?"
Thank you," said the vicomte. with
a courtly bow. but am an indifrer-
ent shot. Had you chosen rapiers at
mOHle SdElO Ou6 vi us WOul0 never
have left the field alive"
He went to a side table. returning
with a sheet Of paper. an envelope.
pen and ink And when O'Rourke had
slipped the paper into his pocket he
saw the vicomte waiting for him by
one of the windows, two naked ra-
piers. slender and cleaning and long,
beneath his arm. AS the Irishman
came up. with a bow, the Frenchman
presented the, hilts of both weapons
for his choice.
Together and in silence they left
the dining-room. strobe across the YER
anda and down. a short step, to the
lawn. The vicomte stood aside quick
ly, bringing his feet together and sa-
luting in the full glare of light
ORourke whipped hilt to chin with
conaummats grace. his heart singing
Work such as this he loved. The
night was pitchy black, the windows
barred 1t with radiance. In the dark
spaces between 6 man might easily
blunder and run upon his DEATH !.
Somewhere in the shadowy shrub
berry a night-bird was singing as
though its heart would break. There
was q sweet smell in the air.
His blade touched the vicomts,s