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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 1902)
X V m W w W mis-. FIL' SiT M " At Swords' Points; OR, I A SOLDIER. OF THE RHINE. I J By ST. GEORGE Copyright, by STiutrr A ciiAi'Ti'.n iv. "Hoch! Tho Amerlcanl" It was lndocd a pretty sight, If one could only overlook the disfiguration of tho principals necessitated by their armament, and both men handled their rapiers in tlcrco and guard with a cleverness that would havo brought out chocrs from an American audience to make tho very rafters ring, while thrco score of Hermans sat or stood around, watching every move, with a grim sllcnco thnt was only broken by tho clash of fctocl upon steel, or tho sharp cries of tho umplro directing tho affair. ThoBo lights had never shone upon a moro gallant fight, nnd each student hugged himself with delight because fortunn had been kind enough to mako him a witness to It. Thoso most experienced In such matters saw, however, that when ton minutes of this torrlllc work had pass cd by with but n few slight cuts on clthur side, Hoffman was gathering his forces and preparing to end the duel with ono of his hitherto Invincible tactics, nnd they trembled for tho bravo American. To Karl's eager inquiries during an Interval between tho bouts, Paul only gave a short laugh and assured his aecond ho was but playing with his op ponent Again the rivals faced, but this timo Paul was In deadly earnest, nnd amid a clash of steol It was seen that Hoff man's face was covered with blood. Then tho sonorous volco of the um plro was heard calling n halt whllo tho surgeons ascertained just how serious the Prussian's wound might be. Hoffman seemed to bo wildly pleading with him to tell tho battlo to go on It was his first dofoat and unusually bitter but the doctor, realizing tho gravity of tho wound, was inexorable. "Abfuhr!" ho called out. signifying that tho Prussian should bo allowed to tight no more. The umplro repeated tho word, and In a loud voice doclarcd tho result In tho stereotyped phrase: "Saxo-Prusslan is led away." Then something occurred that had, perchance, novor been heard upon a similar occasion tho glorious result, tho signal downfall of tho proud duel list who had lorded it over thorn so long, was too much for the students to witness without giving relief to their pent-up feelings. "Hoch, hoch, hoch the American!" they shouted. And "hoch, hoch, hoch" it was whllo they boro Khlnelander, bloody as ho was, Into tho ante-room to resume his street dress. Paul had received a fow slight scratches, but fortuno had been very kind to him in this respect, for none of them were moro than bagatelles. As ho, dressed acaln for the street, was about to break away from the ad miring groups that surrounded him, ho saw a tall figure pressing through tho throng, and recgonized tho Englishman who had been assisting the surgeon who attended his bout. His eyes, blue as tho summer skies, beamed with good nature, and Paul was drawn to him un consciously. Then, too, tho Impulsive clasp of his hand, how hearty it was nfter nlmost formal congratulations of tho Ger mans 1 Well, blood seems thicker than water, after nil, and tho day is surely coming when these cousins may stand shoulder to shoulder for peace throughout tho whole world. "A thousand congratulations, my dear boy. It was beautifully done, nnd I am proud to havo been a wit ness to your victory. I hopo wo may meet again. Sir Noel Travers Is my name, and I am probing Into tho col leges .and hospitals of our German couslnB." Paul was dragged away by his com rades at this Juncture, but he had a singular premonition that ho would run across this big, frank Briton again at some uncertain future dato. To Paul's lodgings they rode. The day passed as had others, but Paul dis covered what ho had not known before, that he had many warm friends in tho university. And, of course, ho wob by courtesy compelled to accept their Invitation to bo a guest of honor at tho grand meeting in tho Knelpe or korps drink ing all that night, whoro tho famous Salamander with its chorus and pound ing of empty beakers on tho table opened nnd closed tho festivities. Still ho was glad when tho end came and ho could leave the hall without giving offense, for other matters of a moro personal nature demanded his at tention. Ono of tho objects that had brought him to Europe to Germany gave promise of bolng attained. Ho had seen tho ono he sought, the Bister who had for so many years been lost to him. How tho memory of her thrilled him, and what agony swept through his mind as ho remembered In whoso company ho had seen her. Tho namo of Hoffman, what a curso it had been to his father. Was tho eon fated to perpetuate his sire's in famy? CIIAPTHH V. A Sorpont In the Dovecote It was night again In Holdelborg when Paul wandorod about the streets of tho classical city. Rhlnolander was RATHDORNE f Surrn, Now York, not aimlessly wandering. Tho little god Cupid hud to do with his wander ings. Pnul was thluktug of Hllde garde. That haunting face, with its melting, brown 'eyes, was tho lode star that drew tho reclut-o from his don. And pray, who was Hlldegardo? Truth to toll, Paul would not have been wholly nblo to have given n def inite answer to that question had he been asked. Some weeks ago ho linn met her In rather n strango way that bordered n little on tho romantic. Chance had al lowed him to do her a favor, slight enough In Its way, but when she thnnked nltn so sweetly, the mischief was done, for with tho nibdcst grnco of thoso velvety brown orbs the little god of love had shot an arrow true to the mai It, and ever since Paul had felt its point In his heart. Several times ho hail seen her since, and on each occasion had received a bow nnd a blush of recognition, Hut no moro. However, on the occasion of their meeting, sho had dropped a small 'ker chief, which Paul had discovered, and now he was on his way to her house to, he hoped, become definitely ac quainted. He found the house readily enough, and wns shown into a small, dimly lighted parlor where ho was to await tho coming of the lady of the house. It was Just at this moment that IiIh car caught tho sound of laughter. It camo from tho next room, and was as merry and freo from care as any sound ho hud ever hoard fresh, girlish laughter that quickened his pulse, since he could give a very good guess as to the source from whence it came. Few temptations arise that thcro does not also appear the means of gratifying tho deslro, nnd in this case he noted tho fact that tho connecting door between tho room In which he awaited the pleasure of tho tardy aunt nnd the adjoining apartment wns ajar. Utterly unconscious of what awaited him. ho advanced gently toward tho opening, and with eager eyes sought the object- of his solicitude. Success immediately attended his ef forts, for he discovered the nymph of the hazel brown eyes In direct range. Sho had evident cnusc for merriment, and as Paul turned his eyes toward her companion ho saw that it was a man. The party's back was turned to him po that ho could not discover whother he were young or old, comely or ugly, though he hoped tho Intter. While Paul ttood there wondering what all the fun was about and cha grined to think ho was not In It, tho man faced about, and the American felt a cold chill chase up and down bis spinal column when, amid the multl bandages he discovered tho handsome, Blnister countenanco of his bitter en emy, Conrad Hoffman. CHAl'TKK Vr. Paradise Lost. Probably In all his adventurous life up to dnto young Hhlnelander had never before experienced such n chill as beset him when he made this as tounding discovery, and saw his hated enomy apparently quite at homo In tho apartments occupied by Hlldegarde and her aunt. Tho familiarity with which sho received Conrad, tho lack of conventionality, declared that they must bo related In somo way. And If so, what must follow? His vory blood ran cold at the thought this fair, angelic creaturo connected with tics of kinship to the family, father und son, whom ho had such reason to curse! Tho Idea was appalling. In that minute of timo Paul had aB. sovero a mental strugglo as comes to most men. Ho conquered his Weakness, too, and resolved to meet the emergency Just whoro he stood. Thcro had been time to leave tho house and avoid tho encounter, but Rhlnolander was not tho man to shirk a duty, no matter at what expense to his feelings. And when the lndy entered, present ly, with apologlo for keeping him wait ing, Paul was himself again, resolved to play his part to tho bitter end, no matter what the cost. After a fow minutes' conversation tho good lady begged him to excuse her for a brief Interval whllo sho brought her niece Into the room, Bay Ins sho knew the young people would be friends sinco they seemed to havo many views In common. Tho time, then, had come, tho fate ful moment which but a short whllo back he had beon anticipating so engerly, whllo now, alas, he dreadod it Btlll more. He fell his courage oozing from his finger tips when Hlldegardo entered with her aunt, and ho saw tho sudden wave of crimson that suffused her face and neck as sho caught a first sight of him. Ah! that telltale color would havo brought amazing satisfaction to Paul but for tho wretched discovery ho had nvude. Then ho saw Hoffman, bandages and all, looming up In tho doorway. Paul was quite composed and rendy to glvo and tako fully aB choorfully aa ho had done when, sword In hand, tho Saxo- Prussian leador slashed jvuit ho.Tcd In tho endeavor to down hint In tho schlager combat of the arena, but Hoff man promised to enliven matters speedily enough. Ho wns rapidly working himself up to u while heat, when nn explosion would follow. Meanwhile the good lady of tho house had Introduced the young peoplo and nt least Paul might henceforth havo tho privilege of addressing Hll degardo upon their meeting, unless sho took up Hoffman's quarrel nnd cut him direct. Knowing whnt was coming Pnul ac tually felt relloved when the man of banduges advanced to have his llttlo say. Hoffman was a man whose talents lay Homowhnt In tho line of oratory. Consequently, when ho let lon:o his vials of wrath upon the American ho said some very bitter things In his tonguo lashing. The ladles were aghast. Paul smiled through It nil. Wearying nt length of the tirade, which ho could not answer, he put up his hand ns If to signal that enough had been smld. And Hoffman actually stopped, though hi all probability It was moro on nccount of his lack of breath than any desire to humor his enemy Hint Influenced him. Having gained the Moor, Paul stated IiIb case In n frank and manly way, calculated to gain the respect of tho gentler sex. "Indies, I am sure you will believe me If I suy I had not tho remotest suspicion when I came here to-night that I should find this gentleman pres ent, or that ho wns connected with you In any manner whatsoever. "Unfortunately he chose to tako of fense In the concert garden recently, accusing my frlond nnd myself of nn action of which we were entirely Inno cent, nnd ns you doubtless know thero followed tho passagc-at-artns In which I hud to tuko part. "I do not regiet my action In tho premises, but doom It my misfortune that I should hao been compelled to disfigure any relative of yours. Slnco my presonco here Is evidently unwol come to Mynheer Hoffman, I shall In sist upon withdrawing myself without further ceremony." Tho effect of this manly npeech was evident from tho fuct that both ladles smiled upon him. Seeing which, tho miserable Hoff man, smarting In the bitterness of his first defeat, snarled: "One of yoii'dld Insult the lady, and a German knows how to resent such things." Then it was tho American turned upon him with flashing eyes, fully aroused. "I say you know that Is a base llo, since you should be aware of tkj sacred bond between that young woman and myself that I would booner cut my right hand off than offer her the Bllghtest harm. I will ecn go further nnd solemnly declare, as you well know In your cowardly soul, that your presenco in her hociety was the busest Insult bIio could receive. 1 shnll stand by these words alwnys. "And now, ladles, since this scene Is painful to you und to mo, permit me to retire with tho hope that possibly wo may meet again under other and moro ngicenblo conditions." Hoffman looked almost as whlto in tho face as the bandage thai padded his split check. Evidently he knew to whnt Paul re ferred, and the consciousness cut him to tho quick. 'Ho glided over to the door, and aa tho other, having bowed politely to the ladles, wns pusslng through, tho Teu ton said In u low but passionate tone: "TIiIb is only the beginning between us." (To be continued.) A MAN OF INTUITION. Invefttment of n Small Sum of Mono; to Good Advantage. "I had just come back to tho Btora from my lunch ono day," said tho mer chant, aa burglai -proof bates were un der discussion, "when a mlddlo-nged man with a hard-up look entered my private office nfter mo. Tho object of his call was to strlko mo for half u dollar, and I am surprised yet that I didn't at once turn him down. I guess It was because ho had tho look of a first-class mechanic out of a Job, and because trado was rushing with mo. To nccedo to hlB request I had to open my big safe, and as 1 handed him two quarters ho thanked me and ndded: 'Excuse mo, sir, but Isn't that safo of yours too dead easy?' 'How do you mean?' I asked. 'Why, It's a four number combination, but you havo It set only on two. I think I could open It In a couple of minutes.' 'If you can I'll glvo you $5,' I said, feeling a llttlo nettled at his disparagement. I shut and locked tho door and stood bf.ck for him, and in less than forty seconds he bad swung it open. 'I told you it was dead easy,' he said, without a smile. 'But bow did you got on to tho combination?' 'Oh, It's Intuition, I guess. Bettor call in a man and havo the lock set on four numbers. It could bo opened then, but It might take nn hour or two. Thanks again, and good day.' I didn't lot tho grass grow un der ray foet," continued tho morchant, "and from that day on I carried a heap less money in the safo. The man might havo been a mechanic, but somehow I'vo always had tho idea that ho was a safe-cracker, and thnt I made a good Investment when I handed over thnt $5.50. Ho might havo got $2,000 thnt night as easy as rolling off a log." Detroit Freo Pre A Tonawanda (N. Y.) milkman has been struck thrco times by tho sama train at tho ' railroad crossing. mmmmmmmmmmtmmmmmmmmmtmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmss!immmmmmmmmmmmmmmamKamammmammmfmmmmmmmm pH Pictorial Humor S A SURE EthelWhat makes you think they Maud He ntopped taking her to Instead. Over llin IlitiiKor l.lim. "Weary," snld Shiny Patches, ns tho two wero resting us usual, "this Is my birthday, and I draw a deep breath of relief, for I am out of danger." "What are you talking about?" asked Weary. "1 am 35 years old, and for some timo I have known that between tho ages of 20 und 3ft men do their great est work. It has kept tnc worried, but now I feel Hnfe." Mmlfnt. "Do you think that literature Is like ly to assume n higher standard V" In quired tho serious thinker. "I do," answered tho man with long hulr and hluck-rlnimed glasses. "In fact, as I am now at work on my masterpiece, 1 feel nlmost justified In giving a per sonal guarantee to that effect." Iluil It Itrnily. He Of course, dear, I'll bo back from tho club In timo for the opera, but in caso It should turn out to be Impossible I'll send you a note by mes Eenger. Sho That'B not necessary; It Just dropped out of your overcoat pocket. ARROGANCE 'tF 3 "I am tho Duko do Bosso." Hotel Clerk Well, ho long as you we'll let you stuy here. Dili She Tnko tint Hint? A distinguished cavalry leader was onco at a dinner party to which ho hnd boon Invited as tho guest of honor. Besldo him was a loquacious widow, with hair of raven black, who rudely interrupted the conversation by ask ing tho warrior why It wos that his beard wa3 still black, whllo hla hair was turning gray. With great politeness tho old warrior turned toward her. "I fenr I cannot glvo you n satisfac tory answer," said ho, "unless, possi bly, tho reason is that I havo used my brain a llttlo moro than I havo my jaw." Her Wy. Mr. Hennypcck (musingly) I won der why a woman never gives her hus band tho kind of a Christmas present ho wants? Mrs. Honnypeck (severely) Because sho doesn't try to. Sho gives him tho present ho ought to want. He "Reckoned." - Johnny Paw, what does It mean when it sayB "Bound tho tocsin?" Mr. Wise Oh, I reckon It's ono of these fights about anti-toxin. Hnianllng m Guen. Delia "Phwat la this copper com pany that tho man o' tho houso does bo talkln' about bo much?" Bridget "Shuro, 01 aupposo 'tis a pollssman's union, no less." Would llo Flrtt on Record. "Ah," said tho great singer. "I have hit on a plun which will Indeed bring mo distinction." Whnt is It?" asked a friend. "I shall mako a fnrowell tour, and I shall not go back." fflraV WwK wr- fi SIGN. 2ta; me engaged? tho theater, and takes her to church -,.. WHISKY IN THE KLONDIKE. First Klondike Miner (looking down tho shaft) What Is It, Bill? Second Klondike Miner (from below) I wIbIi you'd stop over to the cabin und cut mo oft about two drinks of whlBky. Tho lee-saw 1b under the bed. r REBUKED. don't get noisy, and pay In advance KNEW THE She -Wonder why tall mon always She Thoy tako tho leaser evil. In Ken tacky. Many Citizens (as thoy see tho keeper of tho insano asylum leading Colonel Bluddangore, handcuffed, to hla ambulance) "Why, look hyuh, man, whut does this mean, BUh?" Keeper "Gentlemen, I asstiah yo I am as prostrated ovah UiIb affalh as yo' all, but tho Cunnel has announced publicly that ho will not touch an othoh drop of whisky attch tho fust of tho comln' yeah. What els Is thuh to do with him?" ' Ono nmt Twn-Tenttit Drunk. "Judge, yotu honor, this man wno ono and two-tenths drunk last night," tt policeman told a police court judga yesterday, when n decrepit old fellow named Kelly wns arraigned on n charge of vagrancy. "Whnt'B Unit?" asked tho court "How do you figure that out?" "Well, your honor, your theory its. that If n man takes 10 drinks ho'ut loaded," replied tho pollcomnn, count lug on his fingers. "Kelly told mo ho hnd 12 drinks." Kelly went down for flO dnyB. Washington Times. Hud It Ciiuiiiiatloii. "I am afraid, madam," said a gen tleman who was looking for apart ments, "thnt tho houso Ib too near tho station to bo pleasant." "It Is n llttlo noisy," assented tho landlady: "but from tho front veran da ono has such n fino view of people who miss the trnliiB," she added, wlth uu air of triumph. J&J A I'luiitlng Iteiult. "You know that measly llttlo cur that my wlfo mado bo much of?" "Tho dog that bit mo In tho leg?" "Yes. A motorman ran over anuV killed him. Yes. And I had to go down to tho railway office nnd report tho motormnn so ho could bo prompt ly discharged. I went" "What was tho result?" "Tho man wns promoted." Ono Kxplnnnlliin. "How did tho United States Sonato get tho reputation of bclns such nn exceptionally, dlguitlcd body?" in quired tho man who is always eager to learn. "Probably It was going Into execu tive session nt precisely tho proper mo ment," was tho cold-blooded man's an Bwor. Htnlnn Were Gone, Weren't Thoy 7 "You told me, sir, that nil I had to do was to leave tho tablecloth outsider during tho night, nnd the fruit stains would disappear. Well, I did so last, night." "Ah! then tho Btnlna " "No! It was tho tablecloth that dis appeared!" REASON. marry llttlo women? Accounting for It. Maud Mr. Wellalong seems entirely wrapped up in his bride. I wouldn't havo expected it in tho caso of such an old, old bachelor as he was when ho was married. Mabel Ho had kept bis heart in cold, storago all thoso years, porhaps. Why He Vi Coining Home. "Is your undo coming home from thi Philippines soon?" asked tho visitor. "Yes," said tho editor's llttlo boy,, "bis subscription has expirod." ' Ik m sB&smygss astMrygaSif