Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-06-14

his pctrothcu had locked him IN. but
did not know that she had intended to
fight in his place. Had he even sn.ipos.
ed this he would have well nigh 'une
mad
Presently. hearing a step in the halt.
he listened inleniiy hoping for q re-
lease and that he would not he too iair
TO keep his appointment The door WIZ
unlocked. and he was about 10 push
out into The corridor when he wa.
stopped by man. who said.
The cardinal desires your presence
at the palace"
Durant quailed. He could face death
! like gentleman and a soldier. hut to
be executed IN cold blood was no; e.
his liking. ana he did not doubt that
he would suffer the execution OF Il
fclcn As he accompanied the mesScn-
ger 10 the palace he wondered II the
girl he loved could have given away
the secret of the meeting No: she had
locked him up 10 prevent his being
killed by DE Ia Tour She surely would
not turn him over Ia another fate far
more terrible. He was wondering how
the sccret conld have got out and
whether there was any hope for him
when he and the messenger entered
the palace. lie was taken TO a cham
Der. where he was placed In charge Of
a guard and notice of his arrival sent
10 the cardinal
Presently IN attendant came for him
MI him nttnf .. ri felnuf
as he entered by one door he saw he
Ia Tour ushercd In by another. The
cardinal sat IN an armchair at one side
and near him stood Mile. Remercicr in
mans apparel The two duclists nd
vanced and bowed 10 the cardinal. Bnt
what was most astonishing were 4
headsman's block and AK nj one end 81
the room. There was no executioner
present but the culprits expected 10
see him enter nj any moment.
"Gentlcmcn said the minister won
are doubtless aware of the recent edci
against dncling. and. having conspircd
to diSobcy IT, your lives are forfeited
Both men bowed low
81 have decided. however to permit
this meeting and to witness ii myself
There Is an unfairness about these
duels which in this one hope 10 coun.
teract You. Captain de Ia Tour are
accounted the best swor,sman IN
France. You. Lieutenant Durant.
learn. are one of The poorest To enable
you 10 light equitably have decided
that you shall continue the contest till
one kills the other. He who remains
alive will be dispatched by the heads
man
But. your eminencc." interposed the
informant. deathly pale. you promise
me that their lives should be spared
"And my promise Is not broken by
this disposition But for you both Of
them would lie ordered to execution M
once. cannot conceive a more noble
part than that you have acted. Since
In this realm practice exists by which
an expert swordsman may kill one WHO
Is practically dcfenscess you We're
about to suffer death 10 save the I'M
skilled combatani Failing in this.
knowing that | alone had power to
prevent this injustice you informed
me OF IL. but not till you had received
my promise that the combatants should
not be punished by death. IL is not my
intention 10 punish either OF them for
dIsobeying the edict. but 10 render the
affair between them perfectly eqniin-
BILE Gentlemen. there Is ample room
for you on the floor of this apartment
Take Your positions and an attendant
will hand you your weapons"
As the cardinal spoke the last words
the men were given rapicrs. and nj the
same time n door opened. and a masked
man in tight lifting garments entered.
went 10 the block. took mp the AK aud
stood ready for duty. The duelisiS.
who understood that this was a mere
suhterflgc nf the crafty cardinal 10
keep his promise Ia Mile. Remercier IN
the letter and break II in the spirit
and that one was 10 execute the othe"
and the hcadsman the victor. sio"d
facing each other. awaiting a signal Ia
begin the combat They had been
friends and their quarrel had been IN
/ their cups Neither had the faini,.>t
that they were about 10 die. they step
ped forward and embraced each other.
Meanwhile Mile iiemercier had
thrown herself az the feet OF the card
nal to beg for their lives. Her back
being turned to the eombatants and
her head bowed. she did not see the
embrace The cardinal raised her and
turned her toward them.
Look" he said The affair II end
ed the way ! would have all such NJ
fairs ended IN reconciliation. Gen
tlemcn. put away ynur swords. II you
supposed l,irheileu Ia he so crafty rs
thus 10 break his word 10 one whose
| life Is demanded 10y the kings wei
/ fare perhaps yom are right. hut You
wrong him II yon think he could act
such "A part toward this noble girl
I You. Captain de- IL Tour. 20 10 your
quarters and le assured that II yon
/ offend again that masked person Won
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