The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-03-22
with malicious delight the nose of the
duelist. much infiamed.


with malicious delight the nose of the
duelist, much inflamed
Advancing from his antagonists po-
sition three preternaturally serious
gentlemen Of France In black frock
coats and straightforward 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
lily. with enthusiasm and many pic
turesque gestures. At first strangely
amicable, the proceedings soon struck
snag. A serious difference Of opin-
ion arose. O'Rourke 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 modesty Sc
lected revolvers and had brought with
him brace of Webleys. burly pieces
of pocket ordnance with short barrels
and cylinders chambered to hold half
dozen AS cartridges They were not
pretty. for they had seen service in
their owners hands for q number or
| 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 meeting of honor
into massacre. They proposed to
substitute regulation French dueling
pistols as sanctioned by the Code.
Such as that which Monsieur lie Col
onel O'RouTke might observe liz, Mon.
sieur billiards hand.
O'Rourke blinked and shifted at It,.
Sure" he contended. otis a magnify
ing glass | need to make II visible TO
me undressed eye. What the divvle
does It carry-a dried pea? What
dthey think we're here for, II not to
slay one another with due ceremony
Ask them that. Am | to salve the
vicomte's wounded honor by shifting
him with spitball? | grant We, tits
magnificent, but tbs not pistol"
Grumblipg. he allowed himself TO
be persuaded AS he had foreseen and
prophesied. SO had IL come to pass.
Yet he had to grumble. partly because
he was the ORourke. 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 stand at one end Of sixty.
foot stretch and. still indecorously
amused. received loaded pistol from
Won Einem.
Des Trebes confronted him, white
with rage, regretting already
tO'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 a
handkerchief. The chauffeurs threw
away their cigarettes and s2: up, Tor
the first time reused out of their pro-
fessional air of blase indifference.
One" cried the German clearly.
Des Trebcs raised his arm and lev
eled his pistol at O'Rourkes 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 II supported
by an invisible rest
Two" said Won Einem.
| ORourKe 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 iTcUes WedpOn was ulScHdrgeu
almost simultaneously, but with a ru-
ined aim; its bullet went nowhere In
particular The Frenchman dropped
the weapon and. wincing, examined So
hcitously knuckle from which
O'Rourke's shot lad 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 JUL
lard, laughed at the vicomte again,
and strolled back to the motorcar.
Juillard and Won Einem presently
Joined him.. the former insistently anx.
ious to have o'Rourke descend and
clasp the hand OF fraternal friendship
with the vicomte. But the Irishman
refused.