Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-10-15

bA II pNt l|lS WHY w NtiltllCN, 1upTS
he happeued to hear that Il young
artist named rrudrau had been killed
in duel aud, on inquiry. that Bertha
Townsend had lost her hctrothcd. He
gathered nil the Information possible
concerning the affair. aud il was plain
to him that his rival, or, rather the
man who had prevented him from
winning Nivtcn Weutworth'S love, had
been murdered Furthermore, he was
told that Charter was invulnerahlr.
lie was an expert with every weapon,
from the dirk to the claymore. from
the dcrringcr to the rifle
NO one" said Kenworthy's inform
ant. can hope to conquer Charter cx-
Ccpt through his nerve, Naturally he
is coward Ii is the certainty that
his skill will protect him and cnahlc
him to XIII his opponent that keeps
him cutting notChCs on the cane which
hears the number OF his victims New.
crthelesS he has splendid nerve. and.
this being the only possible avenue
through which to attack him. he Is LA.
BILE 10 die natural death IN his bed"
kcnworthy dwclt on this statement
II long whilc-a man with splendid
nerve, whom an enemy could hope
to attack only through that nerve.
How might the nerve he attacked?
lie learned that Charter. like most
Frcnchmcu, had been born II Roman
Catholic, though he had never been To
mass or confession since his boyhood
kCnworthy went to \ priest and sub
mittcd Il plan FOR bringing Charticr
back into the fold. hut, II this were
not practicable, to prevent his com.
uniting any more murders,
Tho priest sought the duelist and
tried to convince him OF the Nervousness
Of his crimes Charter was unmovcd.
After cxpending upon him all the per-
suaSive eloqucnce he possessed with
out avail the priest said to him:
Re II 40, leave You TO your fate.
for no man who practices deliberate
murder M you do can come to any
good end, Beware and repent before
II is too late, IL you do not. Gods
wrath viii surely smite YOU"
For the first time during the inter.
view Charter WINGED The father left
him without another word. and the
duclist sat for some time lost In
thought Then he took up the cane
on which he kept the record OF his
victims. There were twenty notches
llc cut one more. saying to hlmself:
II will make good this last notch;
then will retire ON my laures"
That evening Charter dined at
cafe where he was used to taking his
meals, He had few friends and dmed
alone. 4 young man entered the cafe
and took II scat ut n table where he
faced the ducliSt, fixing u calm res.
olute look upon him Charter endured
II for time, then said In the usual
Icy tone he used In beginning an nf-
fair:
Monsieur, appear to interest you"
You certainly do. since | represent
your victims" said the man In broken
French.
Charter started
81 am commissioned by your last vic
tim, Armand Trudeuu, TO nvenge him."
continued the stranger.
Recovering himself sufficiently to ~.
tain his outward coolness Charter
said: II do not wish to be disturbed MT
my dinner, Please let me have your
card and n friend OF mine win call on
you"
What for, MONSIEUR
'"ro arrange meeting between u.s."
4. 10,
meeting. | will meet you on the ground
where you killed Armand Trudeau nt
q tomorrow morning. You shall have
your friends with you and choose the
weapons you prefer. AS for me. |
need no human assistance"
Charter looked Mt tho man In won.
der. He would have no seconds, would
leave the choice OF weapons to his enc
my. What did 1t mean He nodded
an assent and went on with his dinner.
The stranger continued 10 stare Mt him,
Finally when Charter raised glass
OF wine to his lips his hand trembled
As soon as he hnd finished his dinner.
making an effort TO appear unconcern
ed, he arose from the table.
"Adieu TIL tomorrow, monsieur.
In the morning Charter arrived with
his seconds bearing rapiers. While lie
was waiting for his antagonist car
riage drove mp. and his enemy alight-
ed. There was on his face II look OF
cool resolution. indicating that he had
no fear whatever for the result. Being
given rapicr and his enemy another
the two faced each other. and the en-
counter began.
The stranger showed himself only Il
fair fencer. He kept his eye on that
OF his antagonist. ms IS customary with
fencers. and 1t produced an effect.
Charter astonIshed his seconds by his
weak thrusts, his almost unsuccessful
defense. Under the influence OF his
antagonists eye he grew weaker, more
defenseless. till Mt last the stranger
taking oIvnptnpn az his mental con1i-