Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-12-18
STRANGE DUEL IN
The MOONLIGHT
An American Girls Fight In
Defense of Her Rights.


prominent positions. but it is only with
in the past decade or two that foreign
men in power have chosen American
wives. Before that foreigners Of rank
rarely married Americans, and then 1t
WAS for love only. The following story
narrates a case In point:
A full moon shone on 4 neid near
Berlin. A young man in tho uniform
of a lieutenant Of artillery in the Prus-
sian army was standing In the shadow
Of a tree. waiting. A carriage stopped
in the road, from which alighted two
women. One held back. The other
went on till she came face to face with
the man.
what absurdity is this. Marion!
Could you not have sent me what
have asked instead Of insisting On de-
livering it yourself in this ridiculous
fsshionT
Count" said the woman, "you can
not expect to play your own game
with an American girl without paying
the penalty. You sought me. not you,
and offered me your love and your
hand. Finding that your ambitious
schemes might be better served by mar
rying another, you ask for your re-
lease. ! have brought with me In writ
Ing all that you can desire, a release,
generating you from any blame what
ever. But tell me. count, you whose
military code compels you to fight with
mon At the slightest provocation. how
can You expect to take up and cast
aside a woman without being called to
accountf
"Aarion. your ways in America are
not our ways. Here We owe duty to
family, to tho state. There matches
are made IN q different way. Do not
prolong tho distress all this gives me.
I asked for the release against my In
clination six months ago. You have
put mo OF from month to month and
at last appoint a meeting here by
moonlight to grant my request"
Pardon mo, count, for the delay-a
delay which has been necessary In or
der to accede to your German customs,
or, rather, that our American methods
may harmonic with them. Your treat
ment Of me 1 consider an insult. In
Germany 1t is the custom to give salts
faction for insults. Having no male
relatives to fight for me, 1t is neces-
sary that fight for myself. You would
hardly expect me, count, to fence with
you without training The time pass
ed since you made your request has
been spent in learning how to handle
a sword"
Great heavens, Marion, what can
you meanw
~ will show you"
Dropping her cloak to the ground.
she stood before him in gymnasium at
tire Calling to the woman who had
remained behind, a maid came for
ward, bringing two swords.
'sThere. count" continued the girl,
throwing on the grass before him a
paper, "is your release, and there"
handing him a sword, "is something to
protect you against the consequences
Of your asking woman's love. then
turning It aside as undesirable"
Tho count looked at the girl In
amaxement. "Msrion!" he exclaimed.
'aTake your weapon!'
"Never!''
"Cowardw
II will 60 through the FORM" he said.
!"and If I do not succeed in parrying
your blows shall be the victim. l
will not harm you"
With this he seized the sword.
It was not long before the count
found that In order to parry the girls
thrusts he must exercise all his skill.
Indeed. his anguish at such a situation
sapped his nerve. Twice he exposed
his heart, but neither time did his ad-
versary take advantage of the oppor-
tunity. Both blades were flashing sill
yer in the moonlight. the girl endeavor-
ing to prick the man, he aiming only
to protect himself. Finally. thinking
to touch his arm lightly with her point
she lunged too far and, missing the
arm, ran her sword Into his breast
"Thank heaven" he exclaimed, low
ering his blade. this business Is end
edI You have drawn blood. That
should satisfy you"
When the fair fencer saw q RED
stream trickling down her opponents
vest her sword dropped from her hand
and she fell swooning into his arms
Her maid came up and, taking her
from him, laid her on the grass and
satisfying herself that she was not
hurt, stanched the blood in the counts
wound. When the girl came out OF
her swoon she saw his pale face, paier
in the moonlight. bending over her.
Sweetheart, you have been avenx'
cd. You have opened my eyes to the
injustice l have put upon you. Love
shall in future be my sole guide. Take
back your release"
"No; your career will be blighted."
II sacrifice 1t to that which Is more
desirable"
"The king will withdraw his favor
II shall take refuge in the love OF
my wife"
"Your family will not receive me-"
my family will receive whom di
rect. l am its head"
A few weeks later all Berlin was
talking of the young nobleman who
had siven up the Advancement promis
ID him and 4 brilliant career to marry
Z tftis,sss and penailess American