The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1920-12-30


to the hotel. At the desk he paused
"Who was that person | just bath.
cdr he inquired Of the excited clerk.
"Ah, senior, you shall not long be
kept In ignorance" that functionary
Informed him. THAT is the terrible
Captain BenavIdes--"
DO you know, had n notion Il was
he" Webster replied rumlnatively.
"Well, l suppose I'm In for duel
now" he added to himself as he
climbed the stairs to his room. 81
think that will be most interesting"
John Stuart Webster changed into
dry clothing and descended to the
dlning-room. Miss Ruey was, already
seated at her table and motloned him
to the seat opposite her, and as he
sat down with contented little sigh,
she gazed at him with a newer and
more alert interest.
II hear you've been having adven-
lures again." she challenged. THE
news is all over the hotel / heard 1t
from the head walter"
"Coffee and pistols for two at day
light" he answered cheerlly. "By the
way, have made my will, Just to be
on the safe side. VIII you be good
enough to take charge Of II until after
the funeral? You can turn 1t over to
Billy then"
She fell readily into the bantering
spirit with which he treated this Sc.
rious subject. Indeed, II was quite Inn
possible to do otherwise, for John
Stuart Webster's personality radlated
such a feeling Of security. OF absolute,
unbounded confidence In the future
and dsdaln for whatever OF good
fortune or Ill the future might entail,
that Dolores found II impossible not
to asslmllate his mood.
At seven-thlrty, after a delightful
dinner, the memory of which Mr..
Webster was certain would linger I'M
der his foretop long after every other
memory had departed, he escorted
her TO the open carriage he had
ordered, and for two hours they cir
cled the Malecon with the elite OF
Buenaventura, listening TO the music
OF the band, and, during the brief in
termisslOns, TO the sound Of the waves
tapping the beach at the foot of the
broad driveway.
"'rhis," said John Stuart Webster, ne
he said goodnight to Dolores In the
lobby "is tile end of perfect day."
1t wasn't, for at that precise mo-
ment servant handed him a card,
and indicated young man seated In
an adjacent lounglng-chair, ut the
same time volunteering the informa-
ton that the visitor had been await
ing Senior Webster's return for the
past hour.
Webster glanced at the card and
strobe over TO the young man. 81 am
Mr.. Webster, sir" he announced
clvilly In Spanish. "And you are
Lieutenant Arredondo2'
The visitor rose bowed low and In
dIcated he was that gentleman. II
have called, Mr.. Webster" he stated
In most excellent English "in the In
terest of my friend and comrade,
Captain Benavldes."
"Ah, yesl The fresh little rooster
| ducked In the fountain this evening
Well, what does the little squirt want
now? Another duekingY"
ArredondO flushed angrily but re-
membered the dignity of his mission
and controlled his temper. captain
Benavldes has asked me 10 express to
you the hope that you. being doubtless
a man of honor"
"Stop right there, Lieutenant. There
is no doubt about II. | am a man OF
honor, and unless you are anxious to
be ducked in the fountain, you Will be
more careful In your choice of words
Now then: You are about TO say that,
being a man of honor
'You would accord my friend the
satisfaction which one gentleman
never fails to accord another"
"That lets me out, amigo" Webster
laughed. "Benavldes isn't q gentle
man. He's a cutthrOat, a numbering
little black Do I'M
ueIklhnu ne huliAS ~ W - -
with hlm7"
Lieutenant Arredondo could not
trust himself to speak, and 10 10
bowed profoundly.
every well, then, Lieutenant WeO-
ster agreed. "Ill fight him."
Tomorrow morning at Ave O'Clock
give minutes from now IL you Aoy
So"
"Captain Benavides will be grateful
for your willing spirit, at least" the
second replied bitterly. "You realize,
OF course, Mr.. Webster that as the
challenged party, the choice Of weap-
ons rests with you"
certainly. / wouldn't have risked
a duel II the choice lay with the other
fellow. with your permission, my
dear sir. wen fight with Mauser rifles
at n thousand yards, for the reason
that never knew a Greaser that could
hit the broad side OF a brewery at any
range over two hundred and fifty
yards" Webster chuckled fiendlshly.
Lieutenant Arredondo bit his lips In
anger and vexatiOn. ~ cannot agree
10 such an extraordinary duel" he