Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1917-11-02

swung around and entered the glass
rooted room, following; and having
reached it's center, he suddenly halted
end faced me.
well. sir?" he said. with an inn
patient shrug OF his shoulders.
- will at once come TO the point,
my friend" | returned, speaking with
an air of self.confidence somewhat
forced. THAT bit of lace you carry in
your girdle is a part of this | carry in
mine. Your impudence consists in
displaying as token from lady that
which was not meant for you. II be
longs to me. wish H."
He laughed lightly behind his mask.
"A mere subterfuge, sir! Why do yol
not say IL Is the note you demand?"
Il demand that as well; and on the
honor of your supposed gentility. /
would ask II you have broken its
ssal?"
"On my supposed gentility, We
dog" he exclaimed, flaming with a
loneliness that caused me 10 identify
him as = British officer of some
sort
Il do not know you. sir" re.
turned; "and asked you ques-
ton"
And here is your answer, sir. Your
conceit and assurances are colossal"
And with these words he drew the
lace from his ,girdle and smote me
across the eyes of my mask.
I m haf at sud- GO
OF the assault, but the emotion that
followed was less of anger than of JOY.
He had come To me easily but by his
spirit saw ! could not as easily come
by that which / wished. Knowing that
matters had leaped to a climax, in
stead OF making a return in words
reached out and tore his mask from
his face, at the same time removing
my own.
At first thought | knew him, but
lutterly failed to.-place him. A broad
welt of a scar married the bronzed
cheek, II doubtless being the result of
sword-wound; bat his complexion,
weather-beaten save where his hat
had protected his forehead, showed
me that he was of the sea. Undoubted.
ly he wa an officer in his majesty's
navy.
For an instant he stood glowering
at me, the sinister scar growing pur-
pie. his white teeth set in his neither
lip. And then il came TO me where |
had seen him. He was the man who
had insulted me in Franklin's ante.
room in Paris. TWO years before He
did not appear TO recognize me.
Are you a gentleman, sirH he
finally asked in a well.controlled
voice.
"In every way your equal. l re.
piled II would like TO put my ques-
tion again. but this is hardly the place
to receive the answer l desire. | am
aware that you are armed; will you
follow me to where we will meet with
no interruption"
1T would hardly be regular!" he
replied with an evil smile.
Regular or irregular" l answered
holly, you have wantonly insulted me
and placed in jeopardy the reputation
of lady. will explain later. Un-
less you are in truth monl; and fit
your costume in spirit as well as in
flesh, you will give me the satisfac-
ton demand"
You are reckless, young man." was
his quiet reply, though his beady
black eyes glittered strangely. II am
not in the habit of killing an opponent
without a witness"
"If that is why you hesitate, obtain
your friend, IL you can distinguish
one. If he is gentleman, you and
can safely forego further formalities.
waive all rights save that of imme-
date satisfaction from you. Not to
lose sight Of you, l will accompany
you In your search"
The supercilious expression OF the
man changed and he became urbane.
Il perceive, sir, that you are man OF
action. profess full faith in your
position, and nothing will delight me
more than acceding to the wish OF
person OF your mettle. Under the cir
cumstances of the notes contents,
am not sure I ought; but by God,
VIII! i tnlnk you lnlOrmeu me tnht
the spot was near here. Good! But,
sir, consider the sound OF shots.
Would not swords meet your de.
slre?" $3.50
Nothing else would be possible"
I replied. 49,.
"Ah, good!" he answered, with a
quick and devilish leer. 1T is my
usual weapon. II had bid fair to be
q stupid evening, but you have come
gloriously to my rescued"
His face now glowed with the In.
sanity of the professional duelist, and
In his enthusiasm he held out his hand
to me. But / folded my arms and
drew back.
II will have nothing Of your hand.
sir, save what / have demanded. II
you are unwilling to return the note.
make no pretension. Let US go for
your witness. Time is a factor with
me-"
II should think sol" he exclaimed.
And your words take from me my