The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-04-28
CopyfigAHrSssHE Eyns

swell. suppose I'm In for q duel
now" he added to hlluself as he
climbed the stairs to his room II
think that will be most interesting"
John Stuart Webster changed into
dry clothing and descended to che
dining-room. Miss Ruey was already
seated at her table and motioned him
to the seat opposite her. and as he
sat down with contented little sigh.
she gazed at him with newer aud
more alert interest.
81 hear you've been having adven.
lures again." she challenged "rhe
news Is all over the hotel. heard u
from the head walter"
Coffee and pistols for two at day
light" he answered cheerily. by the
way, ! have made my will, Just to be
on the safe side. VIII you be good
enough to take charge Of It until after
the funnral2 You can turn II over to
Billy tiien."
She fell reodily into the banterine
spirit with which he treated this Sc
rious subject Indeed, II was quite I'M
posS''l' TO do otherwise. for .Johr
such feeling Of security. of absolute
unh.hnded confidence 10 tn. tutur,
ana dtS,luin for whatever Of gooU
fortune or III the future might entail
that Dolores found II impossible no,
to assimilate his mood.
Al seven-thirty. after delightful
dinner, the memory Of which Alr
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
or the band. and. during the brief in
terniSSionS. to the sound Of the waves
tapping the beach at the foot of the
broad driveway.
"rhis.' SAID john Stuart Webster, as
he said goodnight to Dolores In the
lobby. "is the end Of perfect day"
II wasn't, for at that precise mo
meht servant handed him card.
and Indicated young man seated In
an adjacent lounging-chair, at the
same time volunteering the informa.
ton that the visitor had been await
Ing Senor Websters return for the
past hour.
Webster glanced at the card and
strobe over to the young man. 81 am
Mr.. Webster. sir" he announced
civilly In Spanish. "And you are
Lieutenant ArredOndO?"
The visitor rose. bowed low and In
fnnf fnh hx. h.s
have called. Mr.. Webster" he stated
In most excellent English. "in the In.
terest of my friend ami cuinTdis,
Captain Benavides.
"Ah. yesl Tie fresh little rooster
ducked In the fountain this evening.
Well. what does the little squirt want
now? Another duckingP'
ArredOndo flushed angrily but re-
membered the dignity Of his mission
and controlled h!s temper. .'CapiniI,
, Benavides has asked me to express e.
you the hope that you. being doubtless
man of honor"
stop right there, Lieutenant There
is no doubt about It. I am a man OF
honor and unless you are anxious TO
be ducked In the fountain. you will he
more careful In your choice of words
Now then: You are about to say that,
being man Of honor"
"You would accord my friend the
satisfaction which one gentleman
never fails to accord another"
THAT lets me out. amigo" Websi eT
laughed. "Benavides isn't a gerRle.
man. He's cutthroat. numbering
little black and d-tan-hOund. Do I un.
derstand he wants me to fight a duel
with him7'
! Lieutenant Arredondo could not
trust himself to speak. and so he
/ bowed profoundly.
"Very well. then. Lieutenant" Web.
ster agreed. "Tll fight him."
Tomorrow morning at Ave O'Clock" a"
"Five minutes from now If 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 If the choice lay with the other
I fellow. With your permission, my
dear sir. Wen fight with Mauser rifles
at thousand yards, for the reason
that never knew a Greaser that could
hit the broad side Of brewery at any
range over two hundred and fifty
yards" Webster chuckled 6endishly
| Lieutenant Arredondo bit his lips In
anger and vexatiOn. 81 cannot agree
to such an extraordinary duel" he
complained. at is the custom In
Sobrante for gentlemen to fight with
rapiers."
"Oh. dry up. you sneaking mur.
derer." Webster exploded. "There
isn't going to be any duel except on
my terms--so You might as well take
straight tip from headquarters and
stick to plain assassination. You and
Benavides have been sent ont by your
superior to kill me-you got your
orders this very afternoon at the en-.
| france IN the government naIace-and