The Red Cloud chief., 1915-05-20
Chronicled by ALLEN UPWARD

This is a trivial AFFAIR" commented
the ambassador, az he laid down the
newspaper I'm which he had been read
ing an account OF one of M. de Roche
forts numerous duels. II do not won
der that you English amuse yourselves
with these comedies, which reflect
little honor on France. Nevertheless.
let me tell you that. when we please.
We can make Of the duel something
very different; that Is to say, an ar
fair OF life and death"
without doubt" ! answered.. toss
ing aside my " copy OF the Matin-
We we're In the smoking room OF the
Cercle des Etrangers-"but your press
should not give such importance to
these farces."
The ambassador brushed this obser-
walton aside with a wave OF his hand.
1T Ia the o great facility with
which these affairs are arranged mat
has involved them In ridicule," he said.
pursuing his own line Of thought. 1T
ia when a crime has been committed
which Is truly worthy OF death. and
yet which, from It's nature. Is beyond
the reach Of laws, that the duel be.
m a sacred resource. Indispensable
in the interests OF mankind"
And are there such occasions,
them" I responded, In order to see
what was In his excellency's mind.
"I have at all events known Of one"
he returned gravely, as he began to
roll a cigarette.
II cannot recall the exact date at
which I was accredited to the court
OF st. James, but It must have been at
least twenty-five years ago. had
come to Great Britain with a sincere
desire to win the confidence Of the
brave English people; and knowing
that in your country even politics re-
ceives less consideration than what
you call sport ! resolved to prove
myself n huntsman. Accordingly !
bought myself horses and went out to
hunt the fox.
THE hunt OF which I became n mem
Der was at that time the most aristo-
cratic In the world. made so by he
patronage OF an illustrious parsonage
whose name / shall not mention. Her
imperial majesty had formed the habit
of coming over to England during the
season OF the chase, under a strict in
cognito. and attended by only a small
suite, In order to take part In this
snort. IL was I'm this way that ! OBJ
tanned the privilege Of an acquaintance
s,ktoh 4 ehn11 o1y,ouu lnnk hnnk nnnn
as my most cherished remembrance.
Among the members Of her maj
esty's suite at this time was IA certain
Baron Magratz. who filled the post OF
private secretary and comptroller OF
the household. You will understand
of course, that my intercourse with
the empress was on the most respect
full footing, but 1t was not long be
fore l discovered that this baron. o
whom I saw a good deal. was a dan
gerous. insolent man, quite unworth!
of the confidence reposed in him b!
his august mistress.
so acutely did ! realize this tina
It became n question with me whethe
the favor extended to me by that nobl
and u%nsuspicious lady did not cas-
upon me the obligation OF warnin
her against this mans presumption
While l was still In doubt an inciden
occurred which rendered it unnece'
sary for me to speak.
Zone morning, when we were el
gagged in waiting outside a small co
ert for the fox to appear. observe
Magratz ride up to the empress an
point with his hand. as II persuadin
her that the beast was about
emerge from a point further on. 81
turned her horse. and they rode G
together round a corner OF the woo
Troubled by some vague %presentime'
OF mischief, | at once gave rein to II
horse and followed.
81 got round the corner just In tI
to perceive what took place. T
baron had stopped forward, with
air or undue confidence, and W
apparently addressing some rema
10 the empress when all ut on
saw ner majesty rein in her hor
lift up the riding whip she held in b
hand and draw 1t swiftly across
face.
"Magratz started with a violer
which caused his horse to rear. WI
he would have done next l cannot S
but luckily at that moment he eau,
sight of me. The empress had alrea
turned. and she rode back past
tho angry CLEAN in her eyes relax
into a gracious smile as she ackno
edged my respectful salute.
'The baron followed at a walk,
as he came up to me l observed
his face a narrow streak OF red. cr'
ing from the right ear to the MOI
'Stung. doubtless. by my indign
look, he checked his horse and
dressed me with bitter emphasis:
80 congratulate you M. PAmba
deur, on your good fortune {
scoundrel spoke in French-no dc
for the sake OF the double meani'
You have seen how a member {
family which is six hundred years