The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-05-16

new to me- He pressed me hotIy. and
at length the final position came; the
way was open.
Take it," he said savaCely and sent
the thrust that should have made good
his promise to bury the whole blade in
my heart.
But his point never reached Inc. for
US his sword gli,led along mine. seem
ingly unopIpsed. cnught it exactly
as Moore had shown me and wrcnched
with all the strength Of my wrist and
arm.
There was sharp grinding Of steel.
and then like 4 thing alive the dukes
sword left his hand. sped through the
air and settled thirty feet away point
downward in the turf. where it stuck.
quivering and swaying like Il reed in
the wind.
With cry Of sharp surprise Lo:Zen
sprang back and watched his sword
as 1t circled and fell. l moved Il step
toward him. Then lie turned to me-.
1T seems. monsieur" he said softly.
''that ! WIS in error and that 1t is the
point Of your sword and not the hilt l
am to take. So he it,.
He drew himself ur to attention and
raised his hand in salute.
IL am waiting" he said calmly.
Ferdinand of I.otZen was doubtless
II bad lot. Once that night he had Civ
en- me to assassination. ana just now
he himself had deliberately tried to
kill me. But he WAS brave. with the
sort OF bravery that meets death when
It must with a smiling face and IL
steady eye.
And so for space we stood, he erect
and ready. with hand on hip and
point advanced.
l heard the gasps of women. sob or
two and then the rustic of skirts. fol-
lowed instantly by Courtney's soft
command.
Stay, madame. The matter is for
his highness only to decide"
Lotzen laughed lightly.
STRIKE. man." he said. "or the petit
coats will steal me from you"
I stepped back and shot my sword
Into its sheath.
Co." ordered. II do not want
your life. Only depart this house
straightway and take your braves
with you They will have no other op-
portuEity tonight. And. mark yon.
sir, no further meeting with the gypsy,
now nor hereafter"
He bowed low. Monsieur Is pleased
., a., fvonornuc bo Snnnrn6
But gave him my back and. remov-
ing my mask. went over to my friends.
The marluise met me with Il perfect
gale Of apologies. But laughed them
aside, telling her it was ! who stood
in need of pardon for becoming in
yolved in such Il breach Of hospitality.
Just then Colonel Moore came up
and, seeing us without our masks, he
dropped his also. l watched Mile.
dEssoldes greeting to him. 1t was all
even he could have wished.
II think 1t is about the supper hour"
said Lady Vierle. LET us go in"
offered her. my arm and. masking
again. we led the way
"Wnl your highness tell me some
thing:" she asked Immediately. Did
you know your antagonist"
~ didn't see his face" evaded
She looked at me quickly. Would
it be better for me not to know
YES" said I. II think 1t wouid."
There was really no reason why
should shield LotZen. yet neither was
there any reason to rattle a family
skeleton in public and raise scandal
which would run the Kingdom over
and be the gossip Of every court in
Europe.
Then I lifted my mask so she could
see my face.
And, my dear Lady Vierle,' said
earnestly. III you would do me Il great
favor you will promise to forget all
about this unfortunate incident"
She. too. raised her mask and looked
me frankly in the eye.
IL promise" she said
And am sure she will keep her
word.