The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-08-04
The Quiintessence
Of Egotism
BY ESTHER VANDEVEER

IL
pant.
Alighting, he directed the coachman
to drive on over a crest and wait
Then he began to pace idly back and
forth, now turning to the east to ad
mire the tints painted on the clouds
by the coming god of day, now SNAP
ping off blOssoming head of clover or
dandeliOn. He was an intellectual look
ing person, with cast of countenance
denOting the artistic or imaginative
faculty. straight and slender. with 4
mass of black hair falling down over
his coat collar.
Presently he took out his watch not
ed the hour and muttered:
1T is time some of them should ar
rive
wheels was heard and another carriage
came in sight. drove to where the man
was standing. stopped. a gentleman
alighted and stood face to face with
the first conner. He was followed bv
two companions. one carrying hunGla
of foils, the other Il box.
"Ah. NJ. Charter" said the neweom
er. why do | find YOU here alone?
II Where are the seconds"
N Wait" said NJ. Charlier. You are
VI not the only person am to meet this
81 morning. There are several persons
who wish to deprive me of my life,
@ and | propose that all shall have fair
Nh chance"
First come, first served is good
rule solicit the privilege of taking
my revenge before any one else has
had chance to deprive me of it, The
have been equaled demand an op
portunity to show you
Meanwhile another carriage drove up
and out stepped another party. This
time there were two men carrying foil,
and, as before. one bearing a box TIL,
from the surprise with which he no
ticed that party similar to his Owl
had arrived before him.
Pardon me. gentlemen" he said
What does this mean?'
1T means, Nj. de MuSser," said Char
ier, that NJ. RubidouX here. havin:
demanded satisfaction, as you hav'
lone is entitled to it as much as you.
But NJ. Rubidoux cannot possibl,
have the grievance that have. SOM
betty breach of etiquette, perhaps
While r.
Again there was Il sound of wheels.
What do you mean. NJ. CharlierY
sked NJ. RubidouX. Are these cal
iages intended for your funeral train!
'"They bear other persons who com
ere for satisfaction
Two more carriages stopped, and iron
Rch party alighted all looking as
pnished at seeing so many person
resent. NJ Charlier stepped forwar
introduce them.
IN Rubidoux. NJ. de Musser, PERM
e to present NJ. Tetedoux and n
lrdiac.'
All four men bowed very low, takin
their hats and stirring up conside
(le dust with the wind made by the1
Peeps. Their attendants stood
pups, looking on, wondering at IN
fange turn the affair had taken.
IF all those you expect" said \
lbidoux. ''are present | beg to sa
them that, as first conner, | sha
list
And J. too, insist" interrupted L
lsser
Gentlemenv' exclaimed NJ. Tetedou
sonorous bass voice.
Sentlemen.'' cried NJ Cardiac
es of shrill reed instrument.
barber folded his arms and waite
This fellow" cried Rubidoux "h'
ght to save himself from my ju
th by picking quarrel with
" that he thinks all not being alb
Ike satisfaction we will let him O
ppose we cast lots for first chance
kgreed!' cried all the others
Charlier himself wrote the
es each on separate bit of papt
them in a hat, one of the secon'
and the first chance fell TO
doux. They fought, and NJ. Rul
q was so eager to finish the ca
elf that he fenced holly and ba
Presently his foil went flying
PR. He was obliged to give wi
next man whose name had be
ID, and NJ Cardiac stood up
The victor
s 2 show you that you cannot
ne by drawing what you concei
my character in your miserat
with impunity."
lat novel?" asked De Musser.
oi' p" replied Cardiac. Jules Ga
that story is caricature
at all" put In NJ. Tetedot
Ter was drawn from me"
ltlemen," interrupted NJ. Ru
I think can convince you til
ertrait Is intended to be mi
tell you that NJ. Cbarlier Sc
- eopy of the book to read"
- cent me a copy" exclaimed
IS&&nnnx