The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-10-02


Spaniard in his regal raiment. We
swept back and forth, our blades whip
ping the air in whining arcs, or kissing
together in venomous slitherings, our
labored breathing coming and going
through SET teeth, our feet tapping and
sliding along the pavement, every mus
Gle of our bodies tensed, every nerve
alert, every glance searching-search-
ing for an opening, and every fieeting
thought building plans of attack and
parry.
AS we contended thus a circle of
curious gathered gathered silently
from nowhere. They spoke in awed
whispers. as though the spell of this
night of madness lay upon them also.
Polito CANT within my view as we
circled ana parted and offered riposte
and swift counter-riposte. / smiled at
him, for Polito had too much of the
beauty and grace of her majesty to
gain any enmity from me. l was
happy to find friendly light in his
eyes. Now ! caught glimpse of the
lady, upon whose exquisite face lay
the pallor of fear A fear, no doubt,
for the sturdy Spaniard who had called
her Carisima and she had called
him milo. And here was l, mad with
an inexplicable ana overwhelming love,
love that was-because of its utter
misunderstanding short OF sheer
insanity. Whereupon l laughed wild
ly, and charging with reckless aban-
don, beat my adversary down with
furious attack that carried me near to
victory
Nearly" 1 crieo, nearly. Your
Majesty"
Nearly" he answered, and his deep
voice came almost in gasping sob,
sis never quite enough"
Now, when l heard the labOred effort
of his voice knew that l had won.
With the realization that / was his
master my youthful pride offered
jibe or two: Cannot a lonely being
dream in the moonlight, Your Majesty.
and conjure up the figures Of the past,
or look with favor upon a lady with
out the charge of madness being placed
against him?"
With a frenzied burst Of charges
he built up a cleaning wall of steel
in front of me. 1 moved back before
that last attack, listening with fine
satisfaction to the labored breath that
whistled through his teeth, fol he had
nearly reached the end-and knew it.
And when l felt weakening of that
iron wrist of his, and noted the dimin-
fishing power of mis- lunges. and saw
the look of animal terror that leaped
into his eyes, deep disgust for the
man entered my soul. l would let her
see the terror in his eyes, l would
have her know the craven that he
was, and if she chose to love him
then
l advanced in attack now with all
the reserve force that / possessed.
Parrying wildly, he retreated before
this final offensive. l think the fear
of imminent death had touched his
brain, for when l thrust, and felt the
steel take hold, l heard him offer up
a sigh almost Of contentment.
His sword, falling from nerveless
fingers, clattered upon the cobbles;
with a soft cry of "Carisima" he went
is very tired he crumpled slowly to the
pavement. A passion of resentment.
of disgust. still burned within me-.
Charles the Fifth indeed" | said.
casting my sword to the ground be-
side MIN, "bah-you should be called
Charles the Last!"
turned away as her majesty
dropped to her knees beside the fallen
man. "Ah, 'Dolfo mio," she cried,
"Adolfo"'
"Carisima," he said again.
Polito laid hand upon my arm.
"We would apologize. Senior.
"To me-" 1 gasped; you and
and-?"
"Yes, Senor-my sister, the Senorita
Lamartina. We have just lately come
from a bal masque, where Adolfo has
doubtless looked too often upon the
bottom of an emptied wine glass. My
| hope that you will let me offer our
apologies?"
| laughed aloud in a sudden and
unexplainable excess of happiness.
Then she wasn't his wife "The
Senior and his sister will find me ever
at their service" / said. Zone never
knows-a time may come"
"You are kind, Senior, as well as q
uoptlomaD of hioh cnurauov
(TO BE CONTINUED)