The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1913-02-07
STRANGE DUEL IN
THE MOONLIGHT
An American Girls Fight In
Defense Of Her Rights.

women abroad whose husbands are IL
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 il
was for love only. The following story
narrateS Il case In point;
A full moon shone on Il field neal
Berlin a young man in the uniform
of a lieutenant of artillery In the Prus
sian army was standing in the shadow
of Il tree. waiting. A carriage stopped
in the road. from which alighled two
women One held back. The other
went on till she came face to face with
the man.
"Whnt nhSurdity is this. Marion:
Could YOU not have sent me what |
have asked instead OF insisting on de
liverny it yourself In this ridiculous
| fashion?"
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
ryng another. you ask for your re-
lease. | have brought with ME in writ
ing all that you can desire 4 release.
generating you from amy blame what
ever. But tell me. count. You whose
military code compels you to tight with
men at the slightest prnyucntion. how
can YOU expect to take up and cast
aside a woman without being called to
ACCOUNT"
"Marion. your ways in America are
not our ways. Here we owe a duty to
family. to the state. There matches
are made in Il different way. DO not
prolUny the distress att this gives me
[ asked for the release against my in.
clination six months ago. You nave
put me off from month to month and
at last appoint Il meeting here hv
moonlight To grant my request"
'''ardon me. count, tor the delay:
delay which has been, necessary in or
der to acce'le to your German customs.
or. rather. that our American methods
may harmonize With them. Your treat
nIrnt OF me | consider an insult In
Germany IL is The custom to give salts
faction for insults Having no male
relatives to fight for me. it is nerrs-
saty 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 mean:'
~ will show YOU"
Dropping her cloak to the ground.
she stood before him in gymnasium at
tire. Calling to the woman VIII" had
remained behind. II maid came for.
ward. bringing two swords,
"l'hcrc. count" continued the girl
throwing on the grass before him Il
paper. lis your release. and there.
handing him ii sword. lis something to
protect you against the consequences
of your asking Il wonnln's love, then
turning it aside as undesirable"
The count looked at the girl in
amnzcment. "Marion" he exclaimed.
',rake your weapon"
"Never"'
"cOward."
II will go through the FORM" he said.
'and if | do not succeed in parrying !
your blows | Shall be the victim.
will not harm YOU
With this he seized the sword
1t 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 situation
Slapped his nerve Twice he exposed
his heart, but nci her time did his ad
yersary take advantage OF the oppor
tunity. Both blades We're 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 Iungrd too far and. missing the
arm ran her sword into his breast.
"'rhnnk heaven. he exclaimed. low
arng his bInde. this business is end
ed. You have drawn blood. That
should satisfy you.
When the fair fencer saw Il red
stream triclllillg down her opponents
vest her sword dropped from her hand
and she fell swooning into his arms.
Her mnid came ny 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 ont OF
her swoon she saw his pale face. paler |
in the moonlight. bending over her.
"Sweetheart. you have been aveng- |
ed. You hive opened my eyes to the /
injustice | have put upon you. Love .
shall in future be my sole guide Take
back your reIease."
NO: your career will be bIighted.'
II sacrifice it to that which is more
desirn Bile
THE king will withdraw his favor"
II Shall take refuge in the love OF |
my wife"