Cheyenne record., 1921-04-21


ed his unhappy victim. and returned
to the hotel. At the desk he paused.
"Who was that person I just bath
edf" he inquired Of the excited clerk.
"Ah. senor. you shall not long be
kept In ignorance" that functionary
Informed him. '.That Is the terrible
Captain Benavides-"
do you know, had a notion It was
he7" Webster replied ruminatively.
"Well. suppose I'm In for duel
now" he added to himself as he
climbed the stairs to his room. Il
think that will be most interesting"
John Stuart Webster changed into
dry clothing and descended to the
dIning-room. Miss Ruey was already
seated at her table and mOtioned him
to the seat opposite her. and as he
sat down with a 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. 1.-THE
news is all over the hotel. l heard 1t
from the head waiter"
"Coffee and pistols for two at day
light" he answered cheerily. "By the
way. l have made my will, just to be
on the safe side. VIII you be good
enough to take charge Of 1t 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, 1t was quite i'm
20 NthnrNuytcn vnhn
Stuart Webster's personality radiated
such a feeling Of security. Of absolute,
unbounded confidence in the future
and dfsdain for whatever Of good
fortune or III the future might entail.
that Dolores found It impossible not
to assimiIate his mood.
At seven-thirty, after q delightful
dinner. the memory Of which Mr..
Webster was certain would linger un-
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
termissions. to the sound Of the waves
tapping the beach at the foot Of the
broad driveway.
'This." said John Stuart Webster. as
he said goodnight to Dolores In the
lobby. ais the end Of a perfect day."
1t wasn't. for at that precise mo-
ment a servant handed him a card,
and Indicated young man seated in
an adjacent lounging-chair, at the
same time volunteering the infOrma-
tion that the visitor had been await
ing Senor Webster's return for the
past hour.
Webster glanced at the card and
strobe over to the young man. II am
Mr.. Webster. sir" he announced
civiity In Spanish. "And you are
Lieutenant ArredOndOT
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 Benavides."
"Ah, yes! The fresh little rooster
I ducked In the fountain this evening.
Well. what does the little squirt want
now? Another ducking?"
ArredOndO flushed angrily but re-
membered the dignity Of his mission
and controlled his temper. captain
Benavides has asked me to express to
you the hope that you. being doubtless
man Of honor"
"S,op right there, Lieutenant. There
10 no doubt about 1t. I am man of
honor. and unless you are anxious to
be ducked In the fountain, you will be
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 gentle
man. He's cutthrOat, a numbering
little black -and-tan-hound. Do l un-
derstand he wants me to fight duel
| with him?"
Lieutenant Arredondo could not
trust himself to speak, and so he
bowed profoundly.
"Very well. then. Lieutenant" Web
ster agreed. "I'll fight him."
Tomorrow morning at five o'clock" t"
"Five minutes from now II you say
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 we'll fight with Mauser rifles
at thousand yards. for the reason
that never knew Greaser that could
hit the broad side Of brewery at any
range over two hundred and fifty
yards" Webster chuckled flendishly.
Lieutenant Arredondo bit his lips in