Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-10-22

the king"
But" protested the captain, sup
posing the principals fall, in these
days the seconds are expected to take
up the quarrel"
'SThe principals will o both fall"
he looked at her inquiringly, but she
did not give a reason for her assump-
ton.
Il see no way but to grant your re-
quest, and | do so under protest. for
l fancy | see In it some device to save
your betrothed."
Captain von G~ottschalk will defend
himself %honorably with his sword and
will neither need me nor receive any
assistance from me-"
very well. Under what name shall
I announce your
"Herr Schomberg."
Captain Herman departed and imme-
diately notified his adversary that he
had chosen another second and 1t
would be advisable for Captain Won
Gottschalk TO do the same, where
upon the latter chose one Carl Werner.
The meeting took place in a lonely
spot when the night had scarcely
faded. Won Gottschalk and his party
were first on the ground, but were
soon followed by Herman. The sup
posed Herr Schomberg, with darkened
complexion and a beard, wore q long
cloak, which concealed the outlines of
a woman's figure, and no one suspected
her sex. The principals, stripped to
their shirts and breeches, took position
facing each other. At a signal they
began to lunge and parry, the clash of
steel ringing out on the stiffness. Pres
emily Won G~ottschalk, putting In prac-
tice a coup taught him by his betroth-
ed, pierced his adversary in the right
side. A surgeon and his assistant at
nee took charge of the wounded man,
and he was removed from the field.
Lieutenant GOtlieb now stepped fog
ward and thus addressed Captain Won
Gottschalk:
Captain, my principal having failed
to wipe out the stain put upon his hon
or by your bespattering his boots, l
desire to take up the affair where he
has left it. 1 trust that you will waive
the difference in rank between US and
meet me on equal terms"
Captain Won Gottschalk assented,
and In q few minutes his and the lieu
tenants swords were clashing. Won
Gottschalk was fatigued after his
fight for his life with Herman and
ohauld ho1n hid n rnck hafOYso J1ndOr
taking an encounter with a mar who
was fresh. Gotlieb was q better
swordsman than his principal and on
several occasions broke through his
enemy's guard. But Won Gottschalk
caught his opponents blade before it
was too late and saved himself by a
hairs breath.
Meanwhile the supposed Herr Schom-
berg stood wrapped In his cloak.
When Herman fell she drew q long
breath Of relief, but when Gotlieb took
up the fight and showed his superior
swordsmanship her composure desert
ed her, and she could not remain long
In n position. Finally Gotlieb III
giving back slipped, and Won Colt
schalk pierced his sword arm. Not be.
Ing able to keep up the fight, he with
drew.
All eyes were now turned upon Cath
crime, whose duty 1t was to take up
the fight. She had considered the pos
sibility of her having to fight some of
her lovers seconds, but not her lover.
She stood, i%rresolute; but, surprise and
then contempt gathering IN the faces
of those about her, she stepped for
ward.
IF any more persons are wounded
she said, there viii arise q suspicion
that may reach the kings ears. I rec
ommend that this affair stop here"
Success had flushed Won Gottschalk,
and his blood was up. Coward" be
cried. "Stand up and l will fix you as |
have fixed your predecessors"
The challenge was followed by jeers
from the others, and Catherine, throw
ing her cloak on the ground, took a
rapier that was handed her and stood
up to meet her lover in mortal combat
He looked at her scrutinizingly as If
OhLC ACAAAAldCd ILL VI 0OALAS II hC
knew. but Catherine, that he might not
have time to discover her identity,
called to him to put himself on guard.
He did SO. and the clash of steel was
renewed.
Catherine was not only a better
swordsman than her lover, but was
fresh, while he had already fought
twice. Nevertheless the fact that she
was pitted against her lover was a ter
rible strain on her. If she gave him
too much advantage he would run her
through; If she pressed him too hard
she might kill him. Having taught
him oil the coups she knew, she had
no advantage In this respect
The others were deeply interested in
this well matched struggle, which, 1t
seemed to them. would never end But
suddenly when it seemed that Won
GoffsohoIk uoc abort to fokQ Q6vaD-