Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-17

WHO INFORMED YOU OF THIS FIGHT9"
her for an American. first, because
she was travelling alone. and. secondly,
by certain air of confidence in herself
that our American girls possess.
Next her sat a middle aged German
woman and next this woman a lieuten-
ant infhe German army. He had about
him a supercilious air that made me
feel that | would like to snub him. A
draft OF air coming in at the window
by which the American girl sat. he
shrugged his shoulders as If chilled
and. without saying by your leave,
reached past both women between him
and the window and pulled it up. clos
ing it.
The American girl as soon as he had
reseated himself lowered it. The lieu
tenant, with a scowl, again reached
out to raise ii when ] interfered by
holding his wrist. He sank back in
his seat and. fumblinG in his pocket.
pulled out cardcase and handed me a
card. 1t read, Lieutenant Adolph Beck
err OF course this meant a challenge. |
handed the card to Donhoff. who asked
Lieutenant Becker where he would
stop and learned that he was going to
Munich. Donhoff gave him his and
my address and told him that he
would be at home that evening.
Soon after the bit of alteration
had passed the young lady of her own
accord put up the window. The lieu
tenant took no notice of the act. sim
ply staring straight ahead of him from
behind a pair of glasses with an i'm
passive look on his face.
We were travelling with the wind,
and soon after the American girl rails
ed the window. the train passing
around curve, gust came in
through the glass, it seemed, which
caused the lieutenant to shiver more
/ tuan ever. Donhoff raised his cane
and put it right through the opening
without meeting the slightest resist
anCe. 4 broad smile appeared on the
pretty mouth of the American girl, dis
playing a very white set Of teeth and
causing "a dimple to break in each
/ cheek
Thank you. sir" she said to me in
| English. for your gallant support, but
I it was unnecessary. Sitting next the
/ windoA. | could not but know there
was no glass in it | only put it up
/ because | thought the gentleman be-
/ fore lowering it should have asked my
permission Now that you know that
! there was no cause for difficulty |
/ trust that you will return the officer
/ his card"
She had heard me speaking in Eng
/ lish to DOnhof. who preferred that
/ should chat with him in that language
that he might perfect himself in it.
. D0nhOff. who understood her, asked
| NE if he would better explain the mat
Ter to the officer. and | told him that
he might do so. but did not think 1t
would change matters. 1t did not
change matters, because the lieutenant
had challenged me for my intcrfer
ence. the window itself having moth
ing to do with the matter.
The young lady overheard DOnhoff's
explanation and the lieutenant's reply.
for she spoke German very well. and
az soon as she became aware that a
meeting between ne and him was In
eYttable her expression changed. There
was no longer a smile on her face or
mischief in her eye Indeed. she look
ed very much troubled.
realized at once that a lady being
In the secret of the coming affair rem
4 deTed the situation embarrassing.
When the train stopped at u station
for refreshment Donhoff and got out,
ostensibly to stretch our legs. but real
~ for conference. / told DonhOR TO
seek an interview with my challenger
and tell him that. since the girl knew
Of our expected meeting. would apoI
OgiZe TO bin in her hearing. he could
accept my apology, and We could then
have our meeting just the same.
Here he comes now" said Donhoff
and the young man. with very small
waist. came triaDGulating on pair Of
. very long thin legs. Donhon accosted