The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-05-17
My Lady of Doubt
[oontinued from fourth pagel
CHAPTER VI.
The One Hope.

The one ROPE
As he stopped and faced about, as
instantly halted.
Perhaps this spot may satisfy youl
requirements" he said sarcasucally
otis far enough away at least, and
the light is not so bad"
ut will do" / replied, and threw my
scarlet jacket on the grass. strip to
the white, sir, and then we can see
fairly well where to strike. That's bet
ter. On guard"
He came at me fiercely enough, con-
fident of his mastery Of the weapon,
and, no doubt, expecting me to prove
an easy victim of his skill. His first
onslaught a trick thrust under my
guard, caused me to give back step
or two, and this small success yielded
him the over-confidence l always pre-
fer that an opponent have. was
young, agile, cool-headed, instructed
since early boyhood by my father, a
rather famous swordsman, in the mys-
teries of the game, yet preferred that
Grant should deem me novice. With
this in mind, and in order that ! might
better study the mans style, l re-
manned strictly on defense, giving way
slightly before the confident play Of
his steel, content with barely turning
aside the cleaning point before it
pricked me- At first he mistook this
for weakness, sneering at my parties,
as he bore in with increasing reckless
ness
"A club would be more in your line,
take it, Mr. Lieutenant Fortesque," :"
he commented sarcastically, but I'll
play with you a while for practice
ah! that was lucky turn of the wrist!
So you do know a trick or two? Per-
haps you have a parry for that thrust
as we'll! All! an inch more and I'd
have pricked you-your defense is
not bad for a boy! BY all the gods,
tasted blood then-now I'll give you a
harder nut to crack"
fighting silently, with lips
closed outstanding my breath, scarce
ly hearing his comments. Every
stroke, eyrry thrust, gave me insight
of his SCI ol, and instinctively my
blade leaped forth to turn aside his
point He was a swordsman, stronger
than l, and Of longer reach, yet his
tricks were old, and he relied more on
strength than subtlety Of fence. He
countered with skill, laughing and
taunting me, until his jeers made me
fight grimly, with fresh determination
to end the affair.
"By God! you have right pretty
thrust from the shoulder" he ex-
claimed. Been out before, take it.
But I'll show you something you never
learned. Odds, I'll call your boys
play!"
Better hold your breath, for you'll
need it now," | replied shortly. "The
boys play is over with"
Step by step began sternly to force
the fighting, driving my point against
him so relentlessly as to hush his
speech. Twice we circled. striking,
countering, fighting, our blades gilt
tering ominously in the starlight, our
breathing labored with the ferceness
Of the fighting Both our swords tasted
blood, he slicing my forearm, pierc-
ing his shoulder, yet neither wound
suficed to bring any cessation Of ef-
fort. We were mad now with the fever
Of it, and struggling to kill, painting
flercely, our faces flushed, the perspir-
alton dripping from our bodies, our
swords darting swiftly back and
forth. He was my match, and more,
and, had we been permitted to go on
to the end, would have worn me down
by sheer strength Suddenly, above
the clash Of steel, came the sound of
voices; our blades were struck up, and