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Show The Murray Eagle, Thursday, April 25, 1929. Tage Two ilade of Picerdy ... sqg By Fred McLaughlin Copyright by Th Cspt. Francois d Vlgny, nerving wftb Maximilian's army la Mexico, tells the story. A royster-ln- g group of officer Is discussing La Anita, who, rumor says, has lured French officers to death or dfleertlon. Summoned by Maximilian to make explanation. D Vlgny undertakes to deliver tho message to La Anita. Continued 2 What In the "Lopez!" I gnsped. nnme of treachery had Lopez to do In this menage, what was his business In this house of mystery and of murder? I felt' Instinctively that the 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 moves that the emperor made. Not only that Colonel Lopez had fostered the Investigation that Ipd finally to the trial and execution of La Anita's father. True, he had kept himself In the background. I had never trusted Colonel Lopez, nor liked him, and this thing only added fuel to the flames of my resentment. Ited rage possessed me; If Colonel Lopez I moved toward the door, for Indirection of action has never been a fault of mine; but even with hand extended I stopped, for I heard the 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 sown cut very low. I think 1 most have gasped at the sheer beauty of her, for a light of triumph flamed for an Instant In her eyes. Her clear musical voice was pitched nnnatural-l- y high: "Captain Vlgny, It Is good of you" "My poor ears," I cried; "snrely, senorlta, you cannot think that 1 am deaf." Her langh was even of greater volume. "Your pardon, senor," she said; "that stupid coclnera of mine can neither cook nor hear. After I have talked with her I speak unconsciously louder for a space. Is U not droll?" I listened The murmur of voices had ceased. 1 stood aghast, realizing only too well that this situation railed, not for a deft blade, but for a brain Infinitely more agile than mine. La Anita laughed softly; but her laugh bad nothing In It of pleasur& Six, too, seemed to be listening. "Had I known you were here," said she at last. "I should have wasted no time on the cocinera. I had no desire, senor. to keep yon waiting." "The little time accorded me. senorlta, erniltted me to note your excellent library, and to enjoy some of these wondrous paintings of yours." She smiled at this. "Besides." I continued, driving straight ahead as soldier should "In strange places one hears. If one's ears ar properly attuned, mysterious and Interesting sounds." "Ah; 'tis but the chatter of Idle men, who. lacking brains to amuse drink to pass the lime sway. I have an Idea that Colonel Lopez and my worthy cousin, who cannot wnlt lo pntietice, have been Into my wines again." She turned to the doorway, herein stood the dark fit ceil, silent moro: "You may tell Colonel Uipez and Senor Madrclla that they will find me here." Following the moro they enms In. enrh with s half filled glas In his hand. Lopez, slthtlng me, stared an awkward Instant, then h put bnck h't mnsshe bend Slid went o!T Into tin oiHotitrnltiiMe spasm of laughter. 'Another wilier," he rrlcd, "on life' uncertain ocenn, pining fur the music 'f lie Lorelei; anether moth bound for t!e flame of beauty;" 'H II; nettled me. "I ntn not a (eiiiiiy bntnid moth, senor; neither do I t'ine. nm here on Ms majesty's t.i!.;t.ev Wherein I lied. the r.itue .f Lo Afiliit's beauty hnd burned i" deeply, and vlsletis .f her lovely them-selve- fr fuee find f W. N. U. Servic Oa. Bobbi-Warrl- SYNOPSIS CHAPTER II iled my IbotiKhtS. In tn .nei,f desire to see her again, to I o the tiniMC of ,er voire, to t'.r.H it, t) F Firy ,,f the very air that surr.Mit.ded her, I had nitr.it frg.. ten tliiit ti fnii purpose of riv er riitid n to meet Unit murderous coin'n 'f in r. S!e p..fce to the fno?o cMn: "Cot Cnpnin Vigt.y snu'Q Wt,f.. t M"ti'enr le I 'mute, I .,uM prevent ri,;,.!n. Seti.-p,,! Madretla y tlll'ierrrlL" Intent on approaching the crisis with directness, "If Senor Madrella and Colonel Lopez Just now were drinking his majesty's health." "Ah," cried Lopez, "the French are ever a Jesting people. Must the lovely La Anita be saved only for lieutenants and captnlns; may not a colonel hark to the lure of beauty? And you have Just denied, captain" Thus challenged I drew the summons from my pocket, and Lo Anita, whlto of face and swaying slightly, read It She proffered It to her cousin, who considered It with grave eyes. "Just what may my cousin expect on the morrow, captain?" he asked. I turned to Lopez and found a distinct threat in his dark eyes. I knew that he and Lestrange were behind this move, and I knew that Lopez had brought about the execution of La Anita's father; yet here was the Intriguing colonel, a welcome guest In her home, and an avowed suitor for her hand. "Senorlta," he said, a proprietary eonfldence In his tone, "It la a trifle. I assure you. You may depend upon me to see that no awkward questions are asked." "Yon are very kind," she murmnred. Now she turned to me: "How much may I depend upon le comte?" I think she knew my standing with the emperor. "Just so much as my service to his majesty will permit," said I. Anger flamed In Madrella's eyes. You make your service a convenient thing, senor, as well as a faithful shield." At last I A wild exhilaration pos sessed me; I had drawn htm out, "My service has never been a shield, senor; I require none. If I must be direct and I prefer to be here It Is: Four oflleers of his majesty's service have come to this house; two have disap peared 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 hae been passed over as an accident a coincident hut four would seem to take on the phase of deliberate planning. May t tell you, captain, what bnp-peneu to tliem?' "Three only, senor; Mlronsac wll. speak for himself. You may tell me If you so desire, but I retain the right to believe or not, as 1 choose." "Senor I" he rasped "You" Lopez broke In: "Slowly, Pahlo. slowly; Captain Vlgny Is on a mission for Maximilian." "I am not," said L "I have finished the business of the emperor." "Very well, the colonel placated. "Ilemaln quiet while Senor Madrella tells us. Have you not the error of their ways, they foresaw the fall' of Maximilian, or, possibly, It may be 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 P.enito Juarez I" "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 Madrella stood poised, expectant a cold sntlle on his face. The precious rascal was enjoying himself; and 1 almost loved him for It. A massive walnut library table stood between us. Madrella placed the outspread fingers of both hands upon It and studied me a long moment: "You will apologize Is it not so?" , "It Is not so," said I. "Then, of course," smiled Pahlo "you- will fight" 'That, senor, has been the actual Intent of my mission," Madrella raised his eyes to the mantel over which hung the two swords. Mlronsac had called them rapiers, hut he had been In error, for they were and most Ideal really for fencing. Colonel Lopez stood on a chulr, 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 Madrella, still with his blue-gra- y eyes upon me. "the rlnde of PIcardy? It affords me a fine delight. Captain Vlgny. to try the skill of one whose name nnd fame have gone so far." He Indicated the weapons with a glance, nnd as I made no move, continued: "Will you choose?" "I5ut should I, the challenged party, be required to choose merely of swords, senor? Is It the custom In small-sword- me." There has never been a face since time begnn as lovely as hers. Know lng my Imminent death I drnnk to the lees of her beauty. The clear ambet eyes were fathomless wells of sweet ness, the pointed chin trembled ever so little, the slightly parted, red lips showed the tips of pearly teeth, and on the oval face lay an Indefinable expression of pleading. "I am look lng, 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 henuty that you have attained.' "Thank you," she faltered. "Won slenr Is there no way?" Her eyes fell before my steadfast look. "Would you have me apologize to your worthy cousin?" A soft "If I should ask you-- ?" light came Into the amber eyes, a light that burned up my bravado and turned my bones to water. "Anything that you ask me to do," said I, a hopeless slave to a sudden overwhelming love, "that will I do. She must have read that love In my eyes, for her hand trembled on my arm. Then she did the thing that only a woman of high resolve could have done. "It Is not for me, senor. to ask you." Whereupon she turned Pi1 L w Mexico?" "Yon will pardon me, captnln," said Madrella; "it was a natural assumption with me that one with such an aptitude for fencing" Now, at a sign from her cousin Anita Drought forward a long, niir 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 fable or the swords?" Now I considered tills thing. I had come to the home of La Anita for the one purpose of removing a deadly menace that lay In the path of Maximilian. In tiie service of his country ami of his emperor o soldier shnti'd never consider his own life courtesy?" That little gray haired mother of mine "Plenty, my colonel," said L "where In SL Simon would mourn the loss courtesy Is required" La Anita gasped, and 1 turned to of an only son, but she would understand. And on the morrow did 1 fall her, nil humiliation, "Your pardon that failure would be difficult Indeed I senorlta; forgot." to explain to Cupldo, and to Neville "Go on, Tahlo," orged Lopez. and even fo the cynical tstrange. "Duroc," said Madrella, "he whom The man who stood tefore me. you found In the canal, died In honorfor me to choose, was an eviwaiting able comhaL" dent master with the sword. The "With you, senor?" blade, then, offered a possible failHe nodded. "With me." ure, ami failure was n thing not to "Perchance the sword of Duroc was be considered, whereas the pistols not so skillful." "The pistols seem more to my Ilk "Not so bad." mused the cousin In said L the tone of a connoisseur, "not so lng." "Ah no!" cried La Anita. "You bad." cannot, senor." She caught my arm. "Puree, as I remember, was a On "We must." said Madrella, reachcon, and faithful. Did you make cering for the remaining weapon. tain overtures, senor?" "P.ut the emperor." she objected; Madrella hesitated. "arready be has summoned me. Must "Yes." snld La Anita, "my comln nnot her ?"' offered him honorable sen Ice under "Senorlta," said I gently, for I was the de.sed President." torn by her unliappineHs, "Colonel "He refused," nnt, Madrella. Lopez, In whom his majesty places "And died," I finished. "Any sol great and abiding faith, will tell Mm tiler of I'mtice would have done th on the morrow that It was Captnln same." Vlgny who sought this meeting, will "Put Leroux," smiled Madrella. assure him tiiat It was thrniirh no "and the other one IVsnnron did plan of thine." not refuse, and did not die." "Ii'a murder." said Lope harshly "Im you mean to say?'1 I gastied "Murder or not It must be." "1 a surety, raptuln." The wi.rtl, "t'tiless the captain wishes to npol cousin s fme took on a look of ureal ogl.e," suggested Madrella eompla.enry, "They recognized the "A thing ss you very well know silver-mounte- " OO0OO0O0 00O0O0O00O0O3OOOOOOO0O000O000OOOO000OOOO0O00O See Root of Idolatry Toii.iv among some of Ihe tribes ol Africa there I to be found s form of tree worship ttlierc crrtalti members of ti e tribe are said lo acquire a very Intimate communion with certain trees In tlio foies-and lo receive messages through them from another world. Ne.'ir'y all nations have had at some t er t Ms flm e a mcred shrub, plant or tree, and tin Mndrctl body In ti e mW.-Vni d l.wrd Milf.tsy u appear to have been guilty of a species the lie ), nil f 1j lth of Idolatry to worshiping II. Il Is even n ii.Mifi.rtnl breadih of shoulder and conjectured Hint Die adoration of Idols In his nmietilar llii.e rrn sprung from this practice, the Idol bebody ing made from the od of t tie sacred tie ot sinpsied lntt)t power a t i' r. Ill were r),p tree. It was the custom In the smith ot M:!grf.y nr..! tl.ey (; ,, t.Midfat n tt,;,n of ,l il hair France In sprinkle wine over the May-poleotirnKe; w tri4ifht nm) at the nntiual ceremony of Its ujv Mink, snd Mik ti.iiMsrl.e snd Vsri'ltk failed lifting. IMs. It Is believed, was ib. lo biiin n ToUite tnouth and chin. rhed from the undent practice tf A tt'j0 Idea cane to me that t,n,j sprinkling nine over Sacred trees.rever-anc-In ti dim before; hi voir Lnglanl ttifte Is s mysterious fanilliar. for tl o oak, though It may be sne.) rnlntly qncMion In jour ejes. Iracrd in a measure to Ihe use of Us "Ileie I wood In the construction of ships. Kti"t," snld Madrellii, 'I wotidertnu." I sBswcr4, The mistletoe, from growing upon t ft t. re e trn 1 Unit I tiave no Intention of doing Is the table, Senor Madrella, wide enough to suit you?" Madrella, considering the six feet of smooth walnut, laughed. "In a flue display of courage, captain, you have surpassed the other four soldiers of France." Now 1 remembered the overtures made to the other men who had fol lowed tho lure of beauty. "You do not offer me a commission In the Lib eral under army a commission Benito Juarez?" He bowed. "I must do you the honor to admit thut such an offer would he useless; aye, worse than useless a foolhardy thing, senor." La Anita touched my arm oguln, "Monsieur," she said softly, "look at in T Worship of Trccs the oak, partakes of sacred character. If Is considered that Isaiah alludes to this plant, which he makes symbolical of the Messiah. Our Christum tree baj Its origin In F.gypt. It was used long prior to the Christian era, st the time of the winter soltlce, as a symbol of the ending of the year. Sagacious Mother We an (old of the Chinese sage Mengtsen, that when he was s child, bis mother s home was near a slaughter Iioiim, and that she Instantly left her home when she saw the child watching with Indifference to pain Infill led upon animals- - Her second home n near gravrard, and again she left whin she saw (he boy Imitating at his p ay the rlin of Put r . ( ti u. I 'can I nrraf. J So Ws Stood Each In Wrutt Pistols Half Raised. to her cousin, raised on tiptoe, and kissed him. "flooilby," she whlsvered. Then she walked, unsteadily, across the room and stood beside Lopez, For tnat kiss I would have died to perfect happiness. Depositing the pistol on the table I took off the allenveloplng coat Senor Madrclla shrugged out of the long brown coat that had fit his tine body with such precision. So we stood, each In white shirt, pistols half raised, faring each other serosa six feet of polished wnlnut. "1 am sorry, senor," said I. "that I cannot place you. Surely I have seen yon before; even your olce Is vaguely familiar." The laugh of Colonel broke sn swkwnrd tension. "You have seen hltn In the mirror. Captain Francois; and his voice Is very like your own." "Publo Mlo," cried La Anltn, "save for the beard and mustache be Is your brother!" Now I started, mnnellng, for we t were of a height for a possible lm h In my favor, and the tines of our bodies bebl an umsi:lng likeness. The gray bine of eye was nearly the same as mine; the straight nose, the ears, poise of bead, and a certain alertness of gesture seemed ery much my own. F.ven under hi beard I recog nlzod the familiar, obstinate set f mouth nnd chin. My hair was not u black as bis, nor quite so straight and bis skin ns darker by far than mine. Even with the differences of beard and complexion and many ltn points of dissimilarity that closer In lccllon might reral, the reetn Mance wns startling. "How tragic a thing." Iji Anita brcnthrd, "thut two stub mngnll'i ent men should kill earn other!" I bowed to her. "Senorlta. you hav made dentil a beautiful thing for me." "Enough." said Madrella. w t o. am sure, could not IHp faiot to nee M the worship In my rjc. we ask for jour assUtanre. Colonel I tpe exi-ep- s J" "it Is an evil business. Pablo," Pa, the colonel. Pablo Shmgged his shoulders, nhj bipez, "! "FrnmoU," there no way?" i "None; you emmy my to the emperor, colonel and to lor majesty, tho sunt Cnrlotta?" I si.ntl "Assuredly. fount, then When Better Farmer Thaa King soubriquet "Farmer Tb wns given to (ieorge III, In allusion to bis bucolic tastes. Shirt. I three you bae renhrd the c.i-f!- f f my fire." He thought a long riotnctt. "Arrnngciiirritji f,,r t second shot will unhrre-.irWs raised our guns. His timed at e my chest In one Inst desperate effort to hurt hltn In the eyes of the who loved hlra I kept the sights of my weapon between his eyes. I would see to It that he did not make a handsome corpse. As In a dream I heard the colonel's voice: "One!" followed by a great sigh from Anita. I leaned against the massive table, bracing my body for certain aim. "Two!" Madrella's smile was disconcerting. I tried to match It and failed. "Three !" I remember that La Anita cried out as I pulled the trigger. The effect was ns startling us though the gun I held had been a cannon, for the hammer fell upon an 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!" With the useless pistol In my band I stood, staring stupidly. Colonel Lopez swore, and La Anltn broke Into hysterical sobbing. "Name of G d," 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 I" "Ah no!" cried La Anita. I looked down Into her tear-we- t face. "Did yon know, senorlta," said I. and nil my happiness hung on her answer, "that the guns were empty?" "Dlos," she said, "no, senor; never would I have put any man to such a test; it was a devilish thing to do nnd my cousin " I pushed the table away with one mighty effort It caught on the car pet and overturned. Lopez and I moved It Into a corner. "Pick it up. Madrella," I cried; "pick op your sword." "No, senor." "Then, before 0 d." said I, "I run you through as yon stand!" The voice of Colonel Lopez was harsh with anger: "Your actions were reprehensible, Pablo, and anything that Captain Vlgny may choose to do will be quite within his rights." Now Madrella picked up the sword and swept It In a vicious arc. The reluctant air sang beneath that blow. He turned toward me. Ills face wa flushed, for the words of the woman he loved had hurt him. "May I apologize, senor, for that trick?" With the green sweet world nhead of me ngain, the feel of a beautifully balanced sword In my hand, and the thought that the glorious La Anita had seen me go unscathed throngh an ordeal thrif would have broken the nerve of many a man of rourage, I could afford to be generous. "The trick, senor. Is already forgotten; guard !" Our swords came together with a slithering clash, beat away, and touched again. 1 felt of bis blade. and found an Iron rigidity In his wrist. A an experiment t tried a simple tierce, nnd met a perfectly balanced party nnd a lightning riposte that grazed my ribs and brought a grtsp from Iji Anita. 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The heavy carpet deadened the sounds of our shuffling feet as we swept across It; there was heard only the clash of steel, the slhllnnt hiss of desperate breathing, the quick crash of lunge nnd pnrry. The successful duelist I think. counts to some extent uxn the nerve of bis antagonist. Feeling It out Hnd finding ever so little a lack, he plsv the game accordingly. The manner In which I had withstood Madrella's "test" had added nothing to his confl detue; nnd now. as the contest pro. gresed. I bad a certain Indefinable feeling that the cousin's nerve was not a thing that could stand up under long continued equal battle. He nuisf bate he advantnge or be broke." Many men. so I have dls roveted are like that. When the realization came to me that I was his equal In skill and strength n vast relief swept over me. Alre.nly, Hint night. I had died onre. nnd no more fear lay In me. So I thrilled to the game; It gave me keen enjoyment, nnd I talked to Mm: Du- roc," said, "was not so had, senor eh? And poor Mieonsae, with bis baby f.o-nnd wopthlpful eyes, was eay Is It not so?" 'Por Pin," Madrella cried, breath- lng benvilv. I pushed Mm bnefc and forth nrro the spaeloim chamber, but never wa I able to break through. Hi ilefene wns a perfect ns a wall. Subterfuge offered I he otdy rhnnce. for the man seemed tireles. be Openly I tried a qnarte. wub-met with graceful offMent parry; then, seeing hnt lie leinglred In If a fair opening, be plunged In reckless, ly for riposte. My blade wrapped around Id in rounter-parryNow. for one sufficient lniaM, I hnd rnught Mm off balance, and I stake,) ni , one swift counter r!pie. Too Ime hi s error. 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