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Show THE PAYSON CHRONICLE, PAYSON, UTAH that I have no Intention of doing. Madrella, wide Ia the tabic, Senor enough to suit yon? By Fred McLaughlin Copyright by Th Bobbe Merrill W. N. U. Servic, Co, Intent on approaching the crisis with If Senor Madrella and directness, Colonel Lopez Just now were drink-lu- SYNOPSIS error of their ways, they foresaw the fall of Maximilian, or, possibly. It may he that they did not relish the taste of cold steel, for believe me It has an evil flavor. At all events they serve now under the glorious banner of Benito Juarez "You lie, senor," I said; no soldier of France would do that thing." 1 heard a sharp Intake of breath whistle through the teeth of Colonel Lopez; La Anita sighed, a deep sigh of anguish and of horror, and Madrel la stood poised, expectant a cold smile on his face. The precious ras cal was enjoying himself; and I al g Capt, Francois de Vigny, serving with Maximilian's army In Mexico, tells the story. A royster-lngroup of officers Is discussing t,a Anita, who, rumor says, has lured French olfioers to death or desertion Summoned hv Maximilian to make explanation. I)e Vigny undertakes to deliver the message to t.a Anita. g CHAPTER II Continued Lopez!" I gasped. W tin f In the name of treachery hud Lopez to do In tills menage, whnt wits tils business In this house of mystery and of ttuir der? i felt Instinctively tluit thP other man was her worthy cousin. Colonel Lopez was the trusted aide of his majesty, Maximilian, almost his chief of staff; he was behind half the Not moves that the emperor made. Only that Colonel Lopez had fos tered the Investigation that led Unally to the trial and execution of La An ita's father. True, lie had kept him self In the background. I had newer trusted Colonel Lopez nor liked him, and this thing only added fuel to the flames of toy resent Ited rage possessed me: If utenL Colonel Lopez moved toward the door, fot tndl rectlon of action has never been a fault of mine; but even with hand heard the extended I stopped, for sound of a footstep. I turned, and came face to face with La Anita. There was a smile of welcome on her face. She was dressed In a black lacy gown cut very low. I think I r 1 his majesty's health." cried Lopez, the French are ever a Jesting people. Must the love ly La Anita he saved only for lieutenants and captains; may not a colonel hark to the lure of beauty? And you have Just denied, captain" Tims challenged I drew the sum mens from m.v pocket, and La Anita while of face and swaying slightly road It. She proffered It to tier cous In. who considered It with grave eyes .lust what may my cousin expect on the morrow, captain? lip asked I turned to Lopez and found a dls Hurt threat in his dark eyes. I knew that he and Lestrange were behind this move, and I knew that Lopez had brought almnl t tie execution of fa Anitas fnllior; yet here wits the In trlguiiig colonel, a welcome guest In her home, und an avowed suitor for her hand. Senorlta. tie said, a proprietary conlidence In his tone, It Is a trifle. I assure you. You may depend upon me to see that no awkward questions are asked You are very kind," she murmured Now she turned to me: How much may I depend upon le comte?" I think she knew my standing with the emperor. Must so much n9 my service to his majesty will permit. said I. Anger flamed In Madrelln's eyes Yon make your service a convenient thing, senor, as well us a faithful shield.' A At last I wild exhilaration possessed me; I hint drawn him out. My service bus never been a shield, senor ; I require none. If I must he direct and I prefer to he here It Is: Four officers of tils majesty's service have come to this house; two have disappeared completely, the third, an In different swordsman, today nurses a wounded shoulder, and the body of the fourth was taken from the canal One loss might lane been passed over as an neeldent a coincident but four would seem to take on the phase of deliberate planning, May I tell you. captain, what happened to them? "Three only, senor; Mlronsnc wll You muy tell me speak fot himself. If you so desire, hut I retain the right to believe or not. us I choose." Senor I" he rasped. You Lopez broke In: Slowly. Iahlo slowly; Captain Vigny is on n mission Ah. 1 most loved him for It. massive walnut library table between us. Madrella placed the outspread fingers of both hands upon It arid studied me a long tno morit r "YTou will apologize Is It not A stood so? It Is not so," said I. Then, of course, smiled Pabk "you will tight." That, senor, has been the actual Intent of my mission." Madrella raised his eyes to the man tel over which hung the two swords Mironsac had called them rapiers, hut he had been In error, for they were and most Ideal renlly for fencing. Colonel Lopez stood on a chair, nnd, taking down the weapons, laid them side by side upon the table "If you two must fight, he said, though I consider It stupid and entirely unnecessary, the least I can do will be to assist you. Are you not called." said Madrel la. still with his blue-graeye9 upon me. the Blnde of Picardy? It affords me a fine delight. Captain Vigny to try the skill of one whose name and fame have gone so far." He Indicated the weapons with a glunce. and as I made no move, continued: Will you choose? But should I, the challenged party, be required to choose merely of swords, senor? Is It the custom Id small-sword- me." , There has never been a face since time began as lovely U9 tiers. Knowing m.v Imminent death I drank to the lees of her beauty. The clear amhPi eyes were fathomless wells of sweetness, the pointed chin trembled ever so little, the slightly parted, red tips showed the tips of pearly teeth, ond on the oval face lay an Indefinable I am lookexpression of pleading. ing, senorlta, and with death before me I take reckless courage In telling you that no woman In all the world has ever approached the perfection of beauty rliut you have attained Mon Thank you," she faltered. sleur Is there no way? Her eyes fell before my steadfast Would you have me apologize look. to your worthy cousin? If I should ask you? A soft light came Into the amber eyes, a light that burned up my bravado and turned m.v hones to water. Anything that you nsk me to do," said I, a hopeless slave to a sudden, overwhelming love, that will I do." She must have rend that love In my eyes, for her hand trembled on my arm. Then she did the thing that only a woman of Ugh resolve could It Is not for me, senor, have done. to ask you." Whereupon she turned y must have gasped at the sheer beauty of her, for a light of triumph tlained for an Instant In her eyes. Her clear musical voice was pitched unnaturally high: Captain Vigny, It Is good of you " My poor ears," I cried; surely am senorlta, you cannot think that deaf." Her laugh was even of greater voi unte. Your pardon, senor," she said; that stupid coetnera of mine enn neither cook nor hear. After I have talked with her I speak unconsciously louder for a space. Is It not droll? 1 listened. The murmur of voices had ceased. I stood aghast, realizing only too well that this situation called not for a deft blnde. but for a brain Infinitely more agile than mine. La Anita laughed softly; hut hot lnugh had nothing In It of pleasure for .Maximilian. She, too, seemed to he listening. "I am iioi " said I. 1 have finished 1 Had known you were here." sale the business of the emperor. she at last, I should have wasted no well Veiy the colonel time on the corlnera. I had no de placated "Itemaln quiet while Senor Blre. senor, to keep you waiting. Madrella tells us. Have you not the The little time accorded me court esy-- - ?" senorlta, permitted me to note ymu "I lent. v my colonel, said I. where excellent library, and to enjoy some Is required " courtesy of these wondrous paintings of yours La Anita gasped, and I turned to She smiled at this "I.esldes. I con all humiliation. Her, Your pardon a as ahead tinned, driving straight soldier should "In strange places one senoril a ; I forgot." Go on. I'ahlo." urged Lopez. hears. If one's ears nre properly at I ui or.' add Madrella, lie whom tuned, mysterious and Interesting vou found In the canal, died In honor sounds." Ah; TIs but the chatter of Idle men. able combat. "With vou. senor?" who, lacking brains to amuse themHe nodded. With me." selves, drink to pns the time away I hgve an Idea that Colonel Lopez and Ten liaiu-- the sword of Duroc was Hot so skillful. my worthy cousin, who cannot wall In patience, have been Into my wines Not. so had," mused the cousin In the tone of a connoisseur, "not so .again." She turned to the doorway , wherein stood the silent bad. I u roe You may tell Colonel Lopez mozo: as I remember, was a Gasand Senor Madrella that they will con. and faithful. Hid you make cer find me here." tain morturps, senor?" Madiellu hesitated. Following the mozo they came In each with a half filled glass In hl es '' said La Anita, tny cousin hnnd. Lopez, sighting me, stared an offered hint honorable service under awkward Instant, then he put buck the deposed President," his massive head and went off Into He refused." said Madrella. an uncontrollable spasm of laughter "And died." I finished. Any sol Another sailor. he cried, on lifes dler ot ranee would have done the uncertain ocean, pining for the music same.'' of the Lorelei; another moth bound Tut l.eroux," smiled Madrella for the flame of beauty I" and the other one UeRnncon did 1 Ills tone nettled me. am not a not refuse, and did not die." beauty-bounmoth, senor; neither do "Io you mean to say?" I gasped I pine. I am here on his majestys Of a surety, captain." The worthy business." Wherein I lied, for the cousin s face took on a look of gren flame of La Anitas beauty had burned complacency. They recognized the me deeply, and visions of her lovely face had filled my thoughts In m.v urgent desire to see her again, to listen to the music of her voice, to thrill In the glory of the very air that surrounded her, I had almost forgot Today nmong some of the tribes ot ten that the real purpose of my er rand was to meet that murderous Africa there Is to be found a form of tree worship where certain members cousin of hers. She spoke to the mozo again: "Get of the tribe ure said to nequlre a very Intimate communion with certain trees wine. Vigny some Captain Monsieur le Comte I would present In the forest and to receive messages my cousin. Senor Pablo Madrella y through them froty another world. Nearly ul! nations have had at some Gutierrez." Senor Madrella bent tils fine body time a sacred shrub, plant or tree, and In the middle and bowed halfway to appear to have been guilty of a species the floor. He was all of six foot, whh of Idolatry In worshiping it. It is even a comfortable breadth of shoulder and conjectured that the adoration of idols a lithe grace In his must alar body sprang from this practice, the Idol bethat suggested the Intent power ot ing made from the vood of the sacred tree. His eyes were a deep a panther. It was the custom In the south ot blue gray and they Imd the steadfast France to sprinkle wine over the May-pollook of a man of courage; his Salt at the annual ceremony of Its up was etralght and nearly Mack, and a black mustache and Vnndvke failed lifting. This. It is believed, was deto bide a resolute mouth and chin. rived from the ancient practice of A vague Idea came to me that I had sprinkling wine over sacred trees. In seen him before; even his voice England there Is a mysterious rever ance for the onk. though It may he seemed faintly fnmllinr. There Is a question In your eyes, traced In a measure to the use of Its wood In the construction of ships. senor, said Madrella. t was lust woadering, 1 answered, The mistletoe, from growing upon 1 , Madrella, considering the six feet In a fine of smooth walnut, laughed. display of courage, captain, you have surpassed the other four soldiers of France. Now 1 remembered the overtures made to the other men who bad followed the lure of beauty. Yoo do not offer me a commission In the Liberal commission under army a Benito Juarez?" I must do you the He bowed. honor to admit that such an offer would tie useless; aye, worse than useless a foolhardy thing, senor." I.a Anita touched my arm again. Monsieur," she said softly, look at dnrk-fnred- A Mexico? You will pardon me, captain." said Madrella; It was a natural assump tlon with me that one with such an aptitude for fencing Now, at a sign from her cousin Anita brought forward a long, nar row, mahogany box. which, on being opened, disclosed a pair of dueling pistols. Must there be any choice, senor.' said Madrella, further than pistols across this table or the swords? Now I considered this thing. I had come to the home of La Anita for the one purpose of removing a deadly menace tluit lay in the path of Maxi milian. In the service of his country nnd of his emperor a soldier shoidd never consider his own life That little mother of mine In St. Simon would mourn the loss of an only son. hut she would under stand. Ami on the morrow did I fall that failure would he diltieult Indeed to explain to Cupido, and to NpxIIIp nnd even to the cynical Lestrange. The man who stood before me watting for me to choose, was an evl dent master with the sword. The blade, then, offered a possible fall ure. and failure was a thing not to lie considered, whereas the pistols The pistols seem more to my Ilk Ing." said I. Ah no!" cried I .a Anita. "You cannot, senor. She caught my nrtn We must." said Madrella, reach tna for the remaining weapon. But the emperor. she objected; already he has summoned me. Musi another ?" Seimrttn. sold I gently, for I was toru bv her unhappiness. Colonel l.opez. in whom his majesty places great nnd abiding faith, will tell him on the morrow Hint It was Captain Vigny who sought this meeting, will nssure him that It was through no plan of tldne." said Lopez harshly It's murder Murder or nut it must be." Unless the captain wishes to apol nglze. suggested Madrella "A thing ns you very well know silver-mounte- gray-haire- See Root of Idolatry in Worship of Trees e the oak. partakes of a sacred character. It Is considered that Isaiah al hides to this plant, which he makes symbolical of the Messiah. Our Christ mas tree ha..' Its origin In Kg.vpt. It was used long prior to the Christian era. at the time of the winter solstice, us u symbol of the ending of the year Sagacious Mother We nr told of r lie Chinese sage Mengtsen. that when he was a child Ids mothers home was neai a slaiigh ter house, ami that she Instantly left her home when stie saw- the child watching with Indifference to patn In flirted upon animals llei second home was near a graveyard, and again she left wheu she saw the hoy Imitating at Ids play the rites of superstition. Heun Farrar. Better Farmer Than King The soubriquet Farmer George" was given to George III, In allusion to big bucolic tastes. So We Stood Each in White Shirt, Pistols Half Raised. to her cousin, raised on tiptoe, and kissed him. Goodhy. she whispered Then she walked, unsteadily, across the room and stood beside Lopez. For that kiss I would have died In perfect happiness. Depositing the pistol on the table I took off the coat Senor Madrella shrugged out of the long brown coat that had fit his fine body with such precision. So we stood, each In white shirt, pistols half raised, facing each other across sly feet of polished walnut I am sorry, senor," said I, that 1 cannot place you. Surely I have seen you before; even your voice Is vaguely familiar." The laugh of Colonel Lopez broke You have seen an awkward tension. him In the mirror. Captain Francois; and tils voice Is very like your own." Faldo mio." cried La Anita, save for the beard and mustache he Is your brother!" Now I started, marveling, for we w ere of a height except for a possible Inch In nty favor, und the lines of our bodies held an amazing likeness. The of eye was nearly the same gray-bluas mine; the straight nose, the ears, poise of head, and a certain alertness of gesture seemed very much my own. Keen under his beard I recog nlzed the familiar, obstinate set of mouth and chin. M.v hair was not so black ns his, nor quite so straight, and his skin was darker hy far than mine. F.ven with the differences of beard and complexion and many vita! points of dissimilarity that closer In spectlon might reveal, the resem blance was startling. La Anita How tragic a thing. brent lied, that two such magnificent men should kill each other! I bowed to her. Senorita. you have made death a beautiful filing for me. Enough. said Madrella, who. I am sure, could not have failed to see the worship In my eyes, May we ask for your assistance. Colonel l.opez?" It is nn evil business, Pablo." said the colonel. Iahlo shrugged Ids shoulders. is there Francois, said Lopez, no way?" None; you will convey my regrets to the emperor, colonel and to ber majesty, the sweet ('arietta?' Assuredly. I shall count, then W hen I have reached the count of He thought a three you may tire. long moment. "Arrangements for a second shot will be unnecessary." We raised our guns. His aimed at my chest In one last desperate effort to hurt him In the eyes of the woman who loved him I kept the sights of my weapon between his eyes. I would see to It that be did not make a handsome corpse. As Id u dream I beard the colonels One! followed by a great voice: sigh from Anita. I Ironed against the massive table, bracing my body for certain alin. Two! Madrellas smile was disconcerting. I tried to match It and failed. 4 Three!" remember that La Anita cried out as I pulled the trigger. The effect was as startling as though the gun I held had been a cannon, for the hammer fell upon nn empty chamber. and Pablo Madrella, who had made no attempt to fire, stood bowing and smiling. A man of consummate courage, senor, he said ; you give me added respect for France I With the useless pistol In my hnnd I stood, staring stupidly. Colonel Lopez swore, nnd La Anita broke Into Name of G d, hysterical sobbing. I cried, "did yon know, senor, that the guns were empty? "Aye. said he; It was but to test your courage. I cast the weapon from me nnd caught the handle of a sword. The sword Is always loaded; guard! Ah no! cried La Anita. I looked down Info her tear-weDid you know, senorlta. said face. I. and all my happiness hung on her nnswer, that the guns were empty?" Dios, she said, no, senor; never would I have put any man to such a test; It was a devilish thing to do and m.v cousin I pushed the table away with one mighty effort. It enught on the car pet and overturned. Lopez and 1 moved It Into a corner. Pick It up, Madrella," I cried; pick up your sword. No, senor." Then, before G d." said I. I run you through as you stand I" The voice of Colonel Lopez was harsh with anger: Your actions were reprehensible, Pablo, and anything that Captain Vigny may choose to do will be quite within bis rights. Now Madrella picked up the sword nnd swept It In a vicious arc. The reluctant air sang beneath that blow lie turned toxvard me. Ills face was flushed, for the words of the woman he loved had hurt him. May I apologize. senor, for that trick? With the green sweet world ahead of me ngain, the feel of a beautifully balanced sword In fny hand, and the thought that the glorious La Anita had seen me go unscathed through an ordeal that would have broken the nerve of many a man of courage, I could afford to be generous. The trick, senor. Is already forgotten; guard I Our swords came together with a slithering clash, beat away, and touched again. I felt of his blade, and found nn Iron rigidity In his wrist. As nn experiment I tried a simple tierce, nnd met a perfectly balanced parry nnd a lightning riposte that grazed m.v ribs and brought a gasp from La Anita. "Nearly, Anita nila, he said, with a smile. In dueling, senor, said I, "nearly Is as far away as the moon." The heavy carpet deadened the sounds of our shuffling feet as we swept across It; there was heard only the clash of steel, the sibilant hiss of desperate breathing, the quick crash of lunge and parry. The successful duelist, I think counts to some extent upon the nerve of Ills antagonist. Feeling It out and finding ever so little a lack, he plays the game accordingly. The manner in which I had withstood Madrellas "test had added nothing to his confl dence; and now, as the contest progressed, I had a certain Indefinable feeling that the cousin's nerve was not a thing that could stand up nnder a He equal battle. must have the ndvRntnge or he "broke. Many men, so I have dls covered, are like that. When the realization came to me that I was his equal In skill and strength a vast relief swept over me. Already, that night. I had died once, nnd no more fear Iny in me. So I thrilled to the game; It gave me keen enjoyment, and I talked to him; Duroc, I said, was not so had, senor eh? And poor Mlronsnc. with his baby face nnd worshipful eyes, was easy Is It not so?" Por Dios," Madrella cried, bregtb lug heavily. I pushed him back and forth ecrosi the spacious chamber, but never was I able to break through. His defense was as perfect ns n wall. Subterfuge offered the only chance, for the man seemed tireless. Openly I tried a quarte, which he met with graceful efficient parry then, seeing what he Imagined to he a fair opening, he plunged In recklessM.V blade wrapped ly for riposte. Now. nround bis In counter-parry- . for one sufficient Instant. had caught him off balance, and I staked all on Too late one swift counter-ripostHe managed to he saw his error. deflect m.v blnde away from his ehest. but that was the best he could do. I saw my point disappear In the white shirt under tils arm; I felt the steel take hold, then I drew hack quickly and- - on guard again waited. La Anita moved quickly to the side of the sirlcken man, whose nerveless fingers opened slowly, permitting the sword to fall to the heavy carper who swayed slightly, leaning toward the girl for support., and upon whose face spread a greenish pallor of eg ony and of fear. "I would go IviiDo, he gasped. I t 1 (TO BE CONTINUED. WhenFood Sours Lots of folks who think they hav indigestion have only an acid condition which could be corrected in five or ten minutes. An effective anti-acilike rhlllips Milk of Magnesia soon restores digestion to normal. Phillips does away with all that sourness and gas right after meals. It prevents the distress so apt to occur two hours after eating. What a pleasAnd how ant preparation to take! good it is for the system! Unlike a hurtling dose of soda which Is but temporary relief at best Fhilllps Milk of Magnesia neutralizes many times its volume in acid. 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