The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-09-30
pyright. 1912. 3, Cyrus townsend Brady
CHAPTER v.
Wherein the Duke Is Marked In Fare.
we'll

We embarked. When all was
ready and everything aboard
l went back to Master Ficklin's in
TanstOck. which was an easy days
journey from Plymouth sound. where
the Rose Of Devon lay, to fetch my
lady and her maid. Master Ficklins
house was a somewhat large one and
was surrounded by a walled garden,
perhaps two acres in extent. which
ran back from the house to a little
brook which bounded the village.
Master Ficklin was at his office. al
though it WAS yet early in the morn
ing when l called. intending to fetch
my lady to Plymouth by coach. a spe-
cial coach which | had engaged, by
the way. His sister said that Mis-
tress WilberfOrce was in the garden
and that she had company. She Of
fered to show me to her presence but
| said | knew the way and could 20
there myself l did not like the word
friends had more or less forgotten her
| passed through the hall, out of the
back door and into the garden. l
stood a moment. heSitating. wondering
whether after all l had the right or
the privilege to break in upon such
company as she might be entertaining,
when u scream which came family
from the end of the garden decided me-
/ broke into run and in few
moments came upon my lady strug-
Cling in the arms of man. What
-
He had his arms around her, and al
thought he was no great shakes of
man, he was much stronger than the
slight girl he was graphing with. He
held her tightly by the waist with one
hand and with the other was trying to
turn her head SO that he could kiss
her.
was upon them before they realized
my arrival. l grasped the duke by the
collar OF his coat with my left hand
and with nay right l fairly tore him
away from my lady.
Thank God. You have come she
cried. reeling and staggering. her face
flushed. her hair disheveled, her dress
in diSarray.
l heard that much and then the duke
was upon me. Gritting his teeth and
feet-I had thrown him prone-drag
ged out his sword and rushed at me.
You dog" he cried. You have
baked me before and you interfere
now. | have had enough of you and
the world has"
He did not intend to give me any
chance to defend myself apparently.
My little mistress screamed. | heard
her call N! name and | suppose she
thought l was done for. but sailors
are proverbially quick witted. footed
and handed. and l was not the least
alert of seamen. l was wearing a
hanger. a heavier weapon than the
dukes dress sword, but its weight was
a matter of no moment to an arm like
mine. | stepped aside as he lunged
at me. drew ii. and the next moment
our blades clashed in earnest.
Now, | am good fighter and no
mean fencer. l can cross blades with
any one on earth. My swift play must
have looked to the duke as if l were
surrounded by wall of steel There
fore he realized at once that his only
chance lay in the energy and rapidity
of his fence. Lunge succeeded lunge
with lightning-like speed. l will ad-
nit that | was hard put to it for a
time. 1t was with the greatest diff
fculty that | parted. but my lord was
not built for the continuance of such
vio,ent exercise. Sweat came into his
eyes. his thrustS grew less swift, il
not less vicious. in their intent. After
Il few moments / saw that had him.
1t WAS now my turn to attack. Some
thing of the fury of my Saxon ances-
tors suddenly filled my veins. l beat
down his defense by u series of terrific
blows and finally shivered his sword.
He stood before me painting. weapon
less. yet. to give him his DUE more or
less undaunted. | raised my own blade.
Would you strike Il defenSeleSs
man." he cried haughtily, still not
blanching.
You had no Scruple in attacking
defenseless woman" | replied. Nay"
| Numbered Us he made u sudden mo-
ton. stand where you are. What l
shall do TO you depends upon what
hear. If you move l swear to you
that l will beat you down like the dog
that you are
/ was amazed afterward at my temer
ity in thus addressing a duke. but you
will understand my feelings. Without
taking my eyes of of him l next ad-
dressed myself to my lady
will YOU tell me now Mistress