The Lamar register., 1919-01-22
The Rivals
(copyrirht. 1917. Western Newspaper Union,
By ELMER MARSH

during the christmas holidays at their
country place, and 1, who was very
chummy with Jim, was of course invit-
ed. They called the place Vieudeleau.
There was everything there to make
life enjoyable; a ballroom, billiard
room, a swimming tank and gymnasi-
um.
We were young party, the mems
ages averaging twenty-five. the girls
twenty. There was belle among the
reason for her being belle was be-
cause of her very lovely disposition.
1t was natural for her to be consider
ate to everyone. This included me,
but since her kind of treatment of me
was the same as the others, didn't
put IT down for a preference. though
would have been glad to think that
was the prime favorite.
Some of the other men didn't take
my view in respect to themselves. and
there were two guests who were madly
In love with her. They were Jack
Pierson and Ned Armstrong.
Jim Farleigh was fond of boxing.
fencing and other athletic sports, and
had reserved a corner OF the gymnasl-
um for the use of the gloves and the
foils. One morning when 1 was In
the gymnasium doing some stunts on
the parallel bars, Pierson and Arm
strong came In and walked straight
to the reserved corner. They called
TO me as they passed and gave me to
understand that they were going to
fence. and wished me to act as umpire.
] noticed that each had a foil under
his arm which he stood In q convent
ent place against the wall.
l took q seat where / could watch
the fencing. They took of their coats
and vests. and each taking a foil from
the rack, put themselves In position
for the fray. wondered why they
had brought In foils and used 9TH
ers But this was a passing thought |
with me. Before beginning to nght |
Jack Pierson examined the button on |
the end OF his foil, and coming to me
asked me II I didn't think It might
break OF II tried too severely. I
looked at 1t. and told him It was per
fectly safe. Ned Armstrong did the |
same. and also approved his foil.
They fenced for while. but II
didn't seem to me that either was do
ing his best work. Finally Jack pro-
posed to rest for a while and smoke
cigarette. Neither one of US had
any cigarettes. but my case was In my
coat pocket at the other end of the |
gymnasium. I went for It and. return.
ing. each one of us took a cigarette
and lighted It. The fencers took only
few pufrs, when they threw theirs
away and again placed themselves on
guard.
While previously they had fenced
languidly. now every nerve. every mus
Gle, was at a tension. They could not
have been more alert IL they had been
fighting for their lives.
The two men were quite evenly
matched. and 1 should have enjoyed
the contest had 1t not been that l did
not like the spirit with which they
were fencing. Instead of friendly con-
test, It seemed n serious one. Their
faces were red and their eyes gleam-
ing.
Finally 1 arose from my seat and put
myself between them. So great was
their antagonism that / was In some
danger Of being punched by their
foils. Finally l succeeded In stopping
them, and they lowered their weapons.
IF you fellows can't fence in
friendly way" said, 'you had better
stop. II one of you should hurt the
other. II would be poor return for jim
Farleigh's hospitality"
Instinctlvely looked at the top
Of Jacks foil. and could not see the
button. / seized the foil and held Il
near enough to observe the tip. There
was no button on II. II was sharp az
bayonet. took up Ned's foil, and
II was the same.
what does this meanf" asked an
grily.
Neither answered.
You men," continued, have dis
graced yourselves in fighting on the
premises Of your host. And you have
roped me into your ignominious con-
duct. You intended II either was hurt
TO call on me to prove that an accident
occurred through the breaking of
foil. You sent me for cigarettes, and
while my back was turned you took up
those foils that you had brought with
you. and then began to fight in earn
est. Give them to me-"
took the weapons. and as ! did 30
heard steps behind me. Turning, saw