The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-11-19
The Brussels
Sprout Duel
BY HAZEL. SMITH

h4Q served M01fsAe0T lie MARC u4A
faithfully for fifteen years. That is
not 50 short q time, as things &c now
adays. for il seems that one changes
his butler as often IS his overcoat-
But Monsieur would never let any Of
his servants depart Besides, my faith
CT had served his father q lifetime.
We had had great trouble during the
ave years preceding Monsieur's death,
Tor his daughter became attached TO a
worthy young man whom Monsieur
resolutely refused TO allow within the
chateau He was q son of the Comte
de Mfnquette. but he was a Dreyfus-
ard Enough France has been rent
In twain by the affair. and In our
home IL was not otherwise Mademoi-
selle Henriette wept bitterly but at
last she acquiesced to the inevitable.
and Monsieur Paul went to America.
heart-broken.
But after my master died conceiv-
ed an idea. Z had long wished to visit
America. for / had heard rumors from
returning visitors that a chef at the
Hotel PIanksteak, New York, had in
vented a salad which was identical
with the famous salad Of my master.
Enough! / must needs go. find the
thief. and ram his salad down his
throat
"AfademoiselIe HenrIette," said re-
specially, the night before sailed.
"can I be Of service TO you in
America p
She looked up and I knew of what
she was thinking.
my dear friend she answered, Il
understand. But cannot stoop to ask
Monsieur Paul TO return to me. II
must be OF his own accord"
sAt least he should know that Mon
sieur lie Marquis is dead" / an
swered.
'Then heaven bless and guard you
In your dangerous venture, Jean Bir-
rabou," she said
Enough! Twelve days later behold
me. Jean Birrabou. seated at q table
In the luxurious Hotel Planksteak.
Six salads did I order and consume
that day. And then, just as I decide
that the rumor 10 false. the waiter
brings me the Salad Imaginaire.
gasped. for there before me is the
identical salad Of my master the Mar
quis, invented by him and known only
among the high aristocracy OF France.
/ fixed him with my eye.
"who has invented this saladr
demanded haughtily.
"It 10 /, Monsieur" answered the
waiter, cycling me bravely.
/ rose from my seat and took the
salad bowl, inverted 1t, and clapped 1t
on his head, so that the oil ran down
over his shirt front
"Dog of thief p Kissed, "you stole
that salad" The walters separated us.
drew my card from my pocket and
presented 1t to the scoundrel
"Your salad" said, sis my masters
salad"
That evening HIS seconds called at
my boarding house.
True TO my word. behold me In
cellar at Ave o'clock the following
morning, my will made, my last mes
sage to Mademoiselle In an envelope
face the future. saw my enemy
tremble They handed us our pistols.
MY hand trembled; the memory Of
my master overcame me. I felt my
eyes filing with tears. 1 could not
longer see the scoundrel whom I was
80 soon to XIII.
Sire 7"
Our weapons went of together. ]
saw my foe standing unmoved, smile
OF malice playing upon his Lips. I
felt On violent blow upon my breast
bone. / sank down In the straw.
81 forgive you. monsieur" I said.
az he came toward me. "Wait tin I
die; then heap the straw over me-"
Gently no unbuttoned my coat and
felt for the gaping wound. 1 closed
my eyes IN agony. Loi A moment
later and he was holding up a small,
crushed pellet
sYour wound Ia but superficial,
monsieur" he announced. "See, l
have found the bullet"
The pellet was wrapped in silver
foil. Slowly he peeled II OF, disclos-
ing to my anguished eyes-a Brussels
sprouti II had fallen harmlessly
upon my waistcoat.
I rose TO my feet, stupefied. My
enemy came forward and held out hts
hand to me.
MY dear friend Birrabou," he said.
do you not know mer'
7 looked at him, and suddenly ]
gasped from Amusement had seen
his photograph upon mademoiselle's
desk
''Monsieur Paull" / exclaimed, and
ne bowed suavely.
Enough! Think how nearly came
to killing him whom I had set out TO
find! But we have returned to France
now, and whenever Monsieur and
Madame Henriette have guests II lie
/, Jean Barribou, who makes the salad
of Monsieur lie Marquis.
Too Closely United