The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1912-01-26

eyes, a liver, lank jaws clean-scraped
and an expression Of high-minded de-
votion to duty; Captain Won Einem in
uniform; and Colonel O'Rourke.
At the end of al hours run, dis
turbed by one or two absurdly grave
conferences between the seconds, in
appropriate monotones, the mechani-
clan put on the brakes and slowed
down the car. then deity swung it
into narrow lane, a leafy tunnel
through which it crawled for a min
ute or two ere debouching into
broad and sunlit meadow, walled in by
woodland, conspicuously secluded.
To one side and at little distance
IA second motor-car stood at rest; its
operator had removed the hood and
was tinkering with the motor in q
most matter-of-fact manner. In the
body of the machine Monsieur lie vi
comte des Trebes. ostentatiously una
ware Of the advent of the second
party, sat twisting rapier-points to his
moustaches and concentrating his
gaze on infinity. ORourke observed
with malicious delight the nose Of the
duelist, much inflamed
sition three preternaturally serious
gentlemen of France in black frock
coats and straightforward silk hats
waded ankle deep in dripping grass to
meet o'Rourke'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 proceedings soon struck
snag. A serious difference of opiu-
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 :rouble.
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
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
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 a massacre. They proposed to
substitute regulation French due'ing
pistols as sanctioned by the Code.
Such as that which Monsieur lie Col
| onel O'Rourke might observe in Mon
sieur billiards hand.
ORourke blinked and smiled at 1t.
"Sure," he commended. tbs magnify
ing glass / 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. II not to
STAY one another with due ceremony?
Ask them that. Am / to salve the
vicomte's wounded honor by shifting
him With a spitball? | grant ye. It's
magnificent. but tbs not 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 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 a sixty
foot stretch and. still indecorously
amused. received loaded pistol from
Won Einem.
Des Trebes confronted him, white
with rage, regretting already
(O'Rourke made no douDt) 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. Tho chauffeurs threw
away their cigarettes and sat up. for
the first time reused out OF their pro
fessionM air OF blase Indifference.
"One," cried the German clearly.
Des Trebe8 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 II supported
by an invisible rest.
"Two." said Won Einem.
O'Rourke measured the distance
with his eye and raised his arm from
| 4ha alhoW only holding the niatOl with