The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-02-11
A Marriage Of
Convenience
By WILLARD BRAKEMAN

Pixley was putting the finishing
touches on his education at Heidelberg.
Germany. when he received Il letter
from his mother that his father was
very ILL., He was about to start for
home when he received cablegram
directing him to- await a letter where
he was.
When the missive came it was ac-
companied by very long one written
by a lawyer. The letter from Mrs.
Pixley, after exhausting matters incl
dent to her husbands death, said. II
hope after you have read Mr.. Conk-
ling's letter you will act as he sug-
gests."
Mr.. Conkling's letter. summarized in
few words, was that George Pix
ley's father had entered into a manu-
featuring scheme with Edward Brown.
Extensive works were about being
completed when Brown died and left
all his property to his only child. Alice.
Additional capital was needed but the
death of both the principals had 50
aSVAupACdlcu dudAlS luaL ~ oue Nouii
loan money on the enterprise. The
attorney said that if Pixley would re-
turn at once and devote himself to the
business in question there was u hope
Of saving the money already invested.
Miss Brown, aged twenty, was travel
ing in Europe. If Pixley could unite
his and her interests there would be no
difficulty in the way of carrying
through the manufa curing scheme
Nothing was said about how Pixley
should identify his interests with those
Of Miss Brown, but Pixley conceived
an idea of his own. But he must first
form Miss Browns acquaintance. Her
mothers letter gave her location at
Munich.
One day while Miss Alice Brown was
listening to the orchestra in the Hof-
brau in Munich she was pointed out
to Pixley. who had recently arrived.
She was sitting at table on which
were refreshments with an elderly
lady cher aunt and boy OF fourteen
{her cousin). AT an adjoining table
sat a couple of German wasp wasted
army officers. They had been drink
ing considerably, and one Of them was
Ogling Miss Brown and talking to his
companion in German, sounding her
praises loud enough for every one
near by to hear. Miss Brown as soon
as she became aware that she was an
object of admiration on the part OF a
man in his cups turned her back upon
him.
Pixley was witness of all this; also
that the officer continued his remarks
after the young lady had turned her
back on him. Pixley, who understood
and spoke German, also heard him.
make some derisive remarks about her.
indicating at the same time that he
knew she was an American and did
not understand German. Pixley ad-
vanced to the officers table. tossed
card on it, then, turning to the party
insulted and raising his hat, said:
You are evidently annoyed here
Will you permit ME to escort you to
another table,"
The offer was accepted, and when
TREY reached new position Pixley
was invited to remain with them.
While they had seen him drop his
card on the Ia BILE at which the two OH
GERS sat, none of them knew that it
was challenge to fight duel.
Americans abroad become readily
and there was an especial
reason why they should do so in this
ease. The elderly lady asked Pixley
to cali upon them the next day at their
hotel, and he promised to do so. but
he neglected-through an oversight.
tT1ey supposed-to give his name.
When they parted Miss Brown gave
Pixley look which was intended to
convey her thanks for the service be
had rendered them.
The next evening he called and be-
trayed what had happened by a long.
narrow patch over his left cheek. in
dicating that it covered cash. Miss
Brown was puzzled and inquired if he
Had met with an accident In reply
he handed her a little note written in
German and translated it for her. 1t
was an apology from the officer who
the night before had insulted her.
popped into Miss Browns
head.
''Have you been fighting duel?" she
asked.
Yes
And this apology has been forced"
'No; it was written voluntarily and
Rfter the fracas."
Heavens. Did you kill him?'
~Oh. no! am member Of Hell
aelberg dueling corps. He is an In
different swordsman. 1 eluded injur-
ing him by giving him an opportunity
10 draw a little blood. only wished
10 teach him manners. didn't even
scratch him."
Miss Browns tongue seemed para
lyzed for a time; then she said in
bE voice:
..And you did all this for me?'
Z would have done it for any lady.
brt it gave me inexpressible happiness
10 do it for you.''
Pix1ey. having thus by fortunate
+ -