Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-18

AT CLOCK IN 4le morning VIII
start from this hot9. walk down the
Via Cavour TO the ,anain thoroughfare
leading to the Pincian gardens and.
turning into II, walk toward them.
The prince is to leave the gardens at
the same time and walk in this di-
rection. When we meet either may
open fire at will with revolvers. Either
may take to a side street or any arti-
Gle of defense he may find handy
1t was generally agreed among the
consulting party that IL Denbigh really
meant to fight this was the best posi-
ton that could be suggested. Clark
son went TO the club. where he found
Captain Carlucci ready to receive any
communication he might have from
Denbigh. When Clarkson delivered
his message the captain looked sur
prised.
But we do not fight that way here
in Italy" he protested, NOR is 1t done
anywhere in Europe"
And we do not fight your way in
America. 1t is your principal that de-
sires to fight mine. not mine yours,
and since the prince desires meeting
Ire must consent TO the methods used
in the only part of America where
quarrels are settled by arms, and every
day such cases are becoming more
rare as civilization spreads over a
country that has been gradually pass
ing from savages TO white men,"
The captain said that he would sub
NIT the proposition to his principal and
withdrew for that purpose. Garrison
| lighted a cigarette and looked over
/ periodicals for some time. during
| which he was thinking what would be
| the effect Of a proposition so entirely
! at variance with the European code
| duello. Presently q member of the
| club came to him and said that the
! prince had referred the message to
| a committee for its decision as to
! what reply he should send to Denbigh.
The committee had sent Clarkson's in
! formant to him to protest against any
such custom being engrafted upon the
Italian code and would be pleased IL
Signor Denbigh would fight according
to the code If the prince were consid-
cred the challenger. the challenged
man choosing the foils or the pistol.
according to accepted rules.
Clarkson took tie responsibility upon
himself of replying to this for his prin
cipal in the negative. Denbigh would
fight, if he must fight under protest.
since there was no just cause for a
quarrel between him and the prince.
But If forced to fight he would only
do so in accordance with the custom
of his own country. Having delivered
himself of this reply, GARRISON lighted
another cigarette, took up a newspa-
per, and the messenger went back to
the committee with the message.
There is a proper sense of courtesy
! to visitors in all countries. The com.
mittee recognized that it occupied a
delicate position. An American gentle
man had visited Rome. been introduced
to society by the representative of his
government and had become popular. A
Roman lady had accepted his atten-
tons. A rival, an Italian of high rank.
had sought to eliminate him from the
lady's circle, first. by an accusation
which was untrue and, second, by fore
ing him to fight under the Italian code.
which had no standing in America.
While the committee recognized that a
pretext was necessary in case where
a lady was involved, the whole matter
, appeared to- 1t as an inhospitable act
, to visitor to Italy.
It's decision was that If Prince Pin.
ciano insisted on the meeting he mus
accept Denbighs terms. But 1t rec
commended that under the circum
, stances the Italian make a statement
that he had been mistaken in accusing
, Denbigh of having cheated at cards
!, and apologize for having made the
charge.
The first information Clarkson had oil
all this was when q door was opened
, and the princes friend, Captain Car
: lucci. entered. bearing a written state
1 ment and apology from his principal II
l Denbigh. ClarksOr concealed his de
light. He folded the paper, put 1t IL
his pocket. bowed formally to the cap
tain aud eisureIy left the club. Blu
as soon as he reached the sidewalk b,
called q cab and. putting 5 Ira in ad
vance into the drivers hand. told hin
2 to drive in hurry to the hotel. Thougl
3 it was now . o'clock in the morning
the party were awaiting him.
IAN apology" he explained throw
ing the paper be had brought at Den
bigh.
!. Read it aloud!" cried every ma,
present.
Denbigh read the apology. and afte
y a celebration in honor of the event tn
) party went TO bed.
The next day the episode was tn
D talk of Rome. but very few knew tina
: lady had been the cause. The prir
e cess soon heard of it and was tod tina
e Pinciano had sought to clear the feel
= Of preferred sutton for her hand
q When she met him at a ball in th
J. evening she ignored him.
. However. there was no match b,
/ tween her and Denbigh. for her fan
t. fly objected to her going TO Americ;
l. and Denbigh would not consent to b,
u come an Italian.
III ILL., 10