Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1912-07-05
with malicious delight the nose of the
duelist, much inflamed.

duenSt, much Unnamed.
Advancing from his antagonists po-
sition three preternaturally serious
gentlemen of France in black frock
coats and straight -brimmed silk hats
waded ankle deep in dripping grass TO
meet O'Rourkes 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
ily with enthusiasm and many pic
turesque gestures. At first strangely
amicable, the proceedings soon struck
a snag. A serious difference of opin-
ion arose. O'Rourke OWNED that the
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 revolvers 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 compromise was ar
rived at Monsieur Juilliard stepped
back. saluted and with Won Einem re-
turned to his principal, his face
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 lie Col
onel O'Rourke might observe in Mon
sieur Juilliards hand.
O'Rourke blinked and shifted at it.
Sure" he contended, tbs a magnify
ing glass I need to make 1t visible to
me undressed eye. What the divvle
does 1t carry-a dried pea? What
d'they think we're here for. If not to
slay one another with due ceremony?
Ask them that. Am | to salve the
vicomte's wounded honor by shifting
him with a spitball? | grant ye, tbs
magnificent, but it's not a pistol"
Grumbling, he allowed himself to
be persuaded. AS he had foreseen and
prophesied. so had it come to pass.
Yet he had to grumble. partly because
he was the O'Rourke. partly for ef-
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, still fndecorously
amused, received 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 Webleys. The Irish
mans open contempt maddened the
man.
The seconds retired to a perfectly
safe distance, Won Einem holding the
watch. one of Des Trebes' seconds
handkerchief. The chauffeurs threw
away their cigarettes and sat up, for
the first time reused out of their pro-
fessional air of blase Indifference.
One" 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 his
eye was cold and hard behind the
sight and the hand that held the
weapon was as steady as if supported
by an invisible rest
Two" said Won Einem.
O'Rourke measured the distance
with his eye and raised his arm from
the elbow only. holding the pistol with
loose grip.
Three" said Won Einem.
The handkerchief fell.
The Irishman fired without moving
Des Trebes' weapon was discharged
almost simultaneously, but with ru-
ined aim; its bullet went nowhere in
particular The Frenchman dropped
| the weapon and, wincing. examined So
| licitously knuckle from which
ORourke's shot had struck tiny par
| ticle of skin His seconds rushed to
him with cries. preceded by the sur
geon with bandages. O'Rourke grace
| fully surrendered his artillery to Juil-
| lard laughed at the vicomte again,
and strolled back to the motor-car.
Juillard and Won Einem presently
Joined him, the former insistently anx-
| ous to have O'Rourke descend and
clasp the hand of fraternal friendship
with the vicomte. But the Irishman
| rafuSod