Vernon Parish Democrat., 1921-04-14

ed his unhappy victim, and returned
to the hotel. At the desk he paused
"Who was that person l just bath
ed?" 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 a notion it was
he?" Webster replied ruminatively. |
"Well, l suppose I'm in for a 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.
Il hear you've been having adven-
lures again." she challenged. "The
news is all over the hotel. 1 heard it
from the head waiter"
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. Will you be good
enough to take charge of it until after
the funeral? You can turn it over to
Billy then"
She fell readily into the bantering
spirit with which he treated this Sc
rious subject. Indeed, it was quite i'm
possible to do otherwise, for John
Stuart Webster's personality radiated
such a feeling of security, of absolute,
unbOunded confidence in the future
and disdain for whatever Of good
fortune or Ill the future might entail,
that Dolores found it impossible not
to assimilate his mood
At seven-thirty, after a 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, "is the end Of a perfect day"
1t wasn't, for at that precise mo-
e ment a servant handed him a card,
and indicated a young man seated in
an adjacent loungingchair at the
= | +;r,o tho iOfOrma l.
ton 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
:, civilly in Spanish. "And you are
u Lieutenant ArredOndO|
n The visitor rose, bowed low and in
T. dicated he was that gentleman. 81
L have called, Mr.. Webster" he stated
S in most excellent English "in the in
L terest of my friend and comrade
y Captain Benavides."
II "Ah, yes The fresh little rooster
I ducked in the fountain this evening
Well, what does the little squirt want
q now? Another ducking?"
It Arredondo flushed angrily but re
e membered the dignity of his mission
and controlled his temper. captain
Benavides has asked me to express tt
you the hope that you, being doubtless
, a man of honor"
\, "Stop right there, Lieutenant. There
is no doubt about it. l am a man o.
honor, and unless you are anxious t.
VI be ducked in the fountain, you will b,
VI more careful in your choice of words
n Now then: You are about to say that
Y being a man of honor"
\ "You would accord my friend tn
I satisfaction which one gentleman
never fails to accord another"
"That lets me out, amigo" Webste
laughed. "Benavides isn't gentle
man. He's a cutthrOat, a murderin
little black k-and-tan-hound. Do l un
derstand he wants me to fight due
with himT
y Lieutenant ArredOndO could no
! trust himself to speak, and so h
; bowed profoundly.
every we'll, then, Lieutenant" Wei
ster agreed. "I'll fight him."
"Tomorrow morning at five o'clock.
give minutes from now if you sa
so."
captain Benavides will be gratefu
for your willing spirit, at least" tn
second replied bitterly. "YOu realiZ'
of course, Mr.. Webster that as tn
challenged party the choice of weaI
ons rests with you"
certainly. 1 wouldn't have riske
q duel if the choice lay with the Othe
fellow. With your permission, m
RS dear sir, We'll fight with Mauser rife
RS at a thousand yards, for the reaso
mt that never knew a Greaser that coul
mis- hit the broad side of brewery at an
i'm range over two hundred and fift
ng Yards" Webster chuckled fiendishl
,ut Lieutenant Arredondo bit his lips
he anger and vexatiOn. 81 cannot agrt
TO such an extraordinary duel"