THE STORYTELLER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 360, 11 April 1910, Page 6

THE STORYTELLER.

ALL FOR LOVE,

I was sitting outside of one of the principal cafes in the Corso watching the ..splendor and shabbiness of Roman life, wondering at the play of pride and poverty before me, when my attention was arrested by a movement on my right, "['anion, monsieur."

[ moved my chair to let him pass. He bowed to me with a charming grace, then lie tapped a man on the shoulder who was sipping vermouth not far from mv table. He looked up quickly from His glass, and it was then that [ got a clearer view of the youth who had first addressed me. The face seemed very familiar. i was cudgelling my brains to recall where I had seen it, when my •thoughts were sharply called to the immediate present. "Count Von Lichen?" he. said, in a soft, musical voice.

"Yes," growled the man addressed, '■' What do rou want?"

"Simply to tell you, publicly"—and his voice rose in pitch —''that you are a mean, disreputable scoundrel." There was a sharp rattle of chairs, then a sudden hush. Every man in the room was staring in the direction of the speaker, amazement depicted on their faces. The insult was heard all over the room. What astonished the habitues of the place was the almost boyish-looking youthfulness of the aggressor. But before the German could reply he picked up a glass and hurled the contents into the face of the man he had insulted. There was an involuntary exclamation —"Ah!"—from the whole room. "What -will happen?" whispered a man who stood on a chair near me. It was a dramatic moment.

Count Von Lichen rose quietly, wiped ■the front of his shirt with his pocket handkerchief, then with a masterful calmness he said:

'Tou poor, foolish boy, why do vou do that?"

- But there was a mocking smile behind Jus polished manner.

». The youth stood before him with eyes ablaze, his thin, delicate nostrils quivering-.

"If I have not made myself perfectly clear to you, as well as to those who hear me, I will repeat it. You are a liar and a blackguard."

Not another soul in the room moyed. For. a moment or two the two faced each other in a silence that was oppressive. All were waiting for the bomb to burst. '•'Monsieur will apologise," he remarked, still very quiet. "Never!" cried the other. Count von Lichen loaned upon a chairback with hi 3 two hands, stooping slightly. "Then I shall kill you," he said. There was a cold, watery glitter as he hissed out the words, and again an exclamation of horror burst from the spectators of the scene, for the Count had a tremendous reputation as a duellist. « "We shall see," replied the younger man. "There is not much time; you had better oo home," he sneered, "say your m'siyer*. and bid vour mother and your nurse good-bye. Toll them for me that unless vou receive a good caning from one or the other." he went on with ma--don mockery, "and I am duly certified of the fact in writing, I will relieve them of all responsibility as regards your future."

The youth sprang forward, but some one checked him in time. He did. however. succeed in touching the Count with his fist.

"Very cood, my .young friend; you liave sealed your doom. Make all ar rangcments for your funeral, and see my name is on the list of invited guests." I Then, with a careless laugh, he walked 'awav. stopping a few yards off to joke ■with two Italian officers in light blue ' .cloaks. 1 1 "'You are Mr. Langthorne, I believe?" I started. For the moment the thought crossed my mind that I was to be. the next victim. ' ''Yes," I said. "You know my sister. Miss Chessman. She met you at Lord Addingly's piact, i two years ago." "Of course ;i your face seemed familiar to me. I have a distinct recollection of meeting your sister. You are wonderfully alike."

"Yes, we are. Mr. Langthorne, I am in Bome without a single friend or acquaintance. You lcnow what has happened. Will you act for me in this matter?"

T hesitated. Duelling was an awkward thing to be mixed up in; besides, my young friend wns the aggressor. I am afraid my voice told him my feeling's, There was my position in the diplomatic service to be considered, too. "Do not refuse me," he pleaded. "This i> a very serious matter," I remarked gravely, vexed that I felt my heart going out to him in spite of myself. "Tf you will pardon my saving; mo, only the grossest wrong could justify your acting in the manner you have. Frankly, T would mueh rather you found someone else, or, better still,' that von get out of the matter altogether. Why not leave Rome?"

"T know I am asking a great- deal, for which I shall owe yo'j my heartfelt gratitude. but there is no one else. Don't refuse me; bilt listen to my story." "Will you sit down then, Mr. Chessman?"

"Of course you know Miss Dorian—my sister is companion to her. Since my mother's death she has marie her home with her. She has no other home how, poor girl."

Eis story was broken off at that mo•ment by the approach of a gentleman, and I knew his errand, for it was written on liis face. ■ "Count von Lichen has not the honor of your acquaintance, or he would have J written "he was beginning, when my • young companion's eves met mine in eloquent appeal. "The Hotel Marina," lie said, wfth a smile of gratitude. He bowed to the count's emissary, and left us.

It was a ghastly business; Captain Costello was overcome with sorrow, but the conduct of the tiery young Englishman left his friend no option in the unfortunate matter. Arrangements were soon made; in fact, there was nothing much to arrange. With mutual salutations and compliments we parted, and I jumped into a passing vehicle, telling the cabman to take me to the Marina Hotel. To me the whole matter, unless Chessman was something better than the impression he conveyed, was nothing less than butchery. 1 did not see how such a delicate lad could stand up against such a renowned shot as the Count with any chance of success. I was shown u.p to his room. "Well?" he said, as I entered. "To-morrow morning, at six o'clock!" "What an un-Christian hour!" "Have you had much experience with weapons?" I enquired, taking a seat. "Absolutely none." His reply staggered me. "What can you do with a revolver?" ■ "What can I do? I don't know. I liave fired a gun once or twice, hut 1 never succeeded in hitting anything I aimed at. I have never handled a pistol."

"You know the Count's reputation ?" and I questioned in my own mind the •Cental state of the youth. " "Yes: no one knows it better. What I said was true. He is a blackguard of the worst type, and he is proud of the fact."

This was said with manifest bitterness. That there was something behind it all I knew, for the refined-looking lad was no pothouse brawler. "Do not judorp me ],y w h a t y ni) w jf> liessed this afternoon. Miss Dorian, as you know, is very rich. She has been very good to me—T mean my sister, and ■J mrself am devoted to her. Unfortunately she made the acquaintance of this scoundrel at Homburg and for a time they were friendly. She was rather fond of him. She was onlv a child. She is little more now. You see the Count mixes in very stood society. I understand now why luislTands and fathers are afraid of his rapier.

"Before long Miss Dorian found out his true character. Naturally, she tried to drop his acquaintance, but he would not be dropped. There is no villainy to which he has not stooped in order to injure her." His lips quivered, there was just the suspicion of a tear in his eve.

"To a certain extent he has injured her reputation. I cannot tell you half the misery this wretched bully has caused her, so I determined to take the case in hand myself and punish him." "Do you think he will? Scandal can he lived down, and with her fortune "Miss Dorian can snap her fingers at anyone."

"'Yes. yes," he said, impatiently, "but I cannot teiryou all. He lias some letters of hers—and he knows how to use them—foolish letters she wrote to him in her mad infatuation."

"Is Miss Dorian fond of you? I know you are of her."

"Yes; she is fond of me." "Take my advice, marry her, and tliink no more of the Count. Why should you be maimed for life, or perhaps"— did not like to say probably—"killW!" y "I feel I shall Kill him." He got up and paced the floor. "Yes; lam determined to kill him."

"Well, do you choose pistols? I must let him know to-night." "Yes," he answered, "I have come provided with them."

7 "So I see," I remarked, as I examinad a case of duellinsr pistols of English make.

"l am told it is best to fire on the rise, he said, and I nodded in reply 10 tile simple question, replacing the pieces in their case.

"Now sit down, and let me appeal to you once more. You know nothing about firearms. The insult you have put upon this German may cost von your life." ' "My chance is as good as his." I shook my head. » "\Yidl, whatever the chance is, I take it, and let God defend the right. If the worst happen"—there was a tremor in his voice and he spoke in an undertone—('rou will take my keys—open my luggage here. All instructions and explanations will lie found in a letter I have left for you—or will leave it for you sonight, for it is not quite finished."

To my mind the result of such an encounter was a foregone conclusion. I seriously thought of warning the authorities. Von Lichen would do .his best to kill him, of that I was certain.

How Chessman slept that night I don't know, but there was very little sleep for me. I could not help hut admire the plucky lad who stood so valiantly by the woman lie loved. My brain was nnsy with all kinds of plans to save him, but nothing original came to my aid. About four I got up and had my bath, for I 'could not sleep. The conveyance called for me at five. Chessman was quite ready, waiting at the entrance of his hotel, and we drove off.

The place of meeting wa3 off the A.ppian Way. about a mile and a-half out of Rome, behind the remains of a ruined villa. We were first on th* around. I tried to engage in a conversation. but it was no use; the natural flow of talk would not come, so I busied myself examining the ground, at mtervals cursing myself for a murderer. Chessman watched me like a man in a dream. The waiting, I could see, wa« telling on his nerves; every now and then his lips quivfered. Poor lad! I can see him now. He looked so young and helpless. My heart smote me, and I wished at all costs I had stopped the duel.

Presently the rattle of wheels was heard in the still morning air, and in a few minutes the Count, with his friend, appeared. The former was faultlessly, one might say gaily, dressed. He wore a large rose in his coat. ,: I sincerely trust, gentlemen, I have not kept you waiting." Chessman ignored him. As a matter of fact he was quite punctual, and I said so. While I exchanged a few words with his second, he leisurely divested himself of his coat with the air of a

man who is just a little bored. He yawned once or twice, lighted a cigarette, blowing rings into the air, and addressed me.

"Js the boy willing to apologise for his unruly conduct and ready to rcceke a caning from me as a discipline for 1. future?" Chessman heard this insult, but vouchsafed no reply, lie turned deatlliy pale, but his eves Hashed.

"Then, sir—as 1 s;vid before—l k:!l you," and the Count smiled coolly. 'Mo jhe dealh!" he cried, with a. (irai.'.i ic wave of hi? hand.

"1 wish it to be so," said the lad, in i his quiet, musical voice. . "What about the distance?" e'ijU...>d the second. "It is a matter of niter 'iidifiVi'orie to nte," said the Count, strutung up and down (lie ground, blowing his smoke rings.

"Thank you; it is everything to me responded Chessman.

The two men lauaa.yl aloud at his simple answer.

I drew my young frio il a-i'c \'.:.>.'.'g him not to bandy words, but to let me know what his wishes were. Then he unfolded to me his proposals, which were startling in their originality. I understood. then, what he had meant by speaking of his equal chance. His scheme certainly equalised the chances, but it did more, 1 smiled as T put the conditions to the Italian captain. He listened politely, but protested vigorously. "Yes, it is quite fair; but, oh, the brutality of it!"

"The bloody work will not be all on one side." I added. "If your principal be the brave man he is repro^ent-

"Enougli, sir," he said, and crossed over to his friend.

Suddenly the smoke rings stopped, the cigarette fell from his hand, and the mocking sneer on his face changed to •"Veal fear. Chessman noticed it, and a faint color stole over his face.

"It is barbarous," said Von Lichen. "It is not a gentleman's way of settling a quarrel. He is a savage." "Now. Count, unless you are prepared to apologise " lie turned upon me with a fierce oath. "This is not duelling,' Tie said.

"■Surely you are not a coward as well >as a blackguard!" rang out the treble ■•voice of my principal. "You asked me to fight to the death. Let the fight begin."

"Very well," he growled through sst >tecth; but. I could sou he was moro ne-.-tous than my Bian now. Of the two pistols only one had to r><; loaded. The combatants were both to be blind-folded while they chose their weapons. They were then to siand • breast to 'breast, still blind-folded, and fire at the word of command. "Stay; the doctors are not here," said his second. "I did not request their services," "No: but I did," said Captain Costello. "While we spoke their conveyance was heard. With many apologies for being late, they asked the conditions. "My God!" gasped one. "How terrible!" The other merely raised his eyebrows. ; While the doctors blindfolded the prm•cipals, I loaded one of the weapons—■ leoin was tossed up; they called and won. I held the pistols. "Which hand will you have?" shouted his second.

"The right," he said, falteringly. When I loaded the one I did not notice •the number. There was nothing to show Vhich was the murderous one. We olac--fed them breast to Dreast, then I shook hands with poor Chessman, and he re- , turned the pressure warmly. Never shall I forget the choking; horror of the next few seconds. Nature seemed for the moment to come to a standstill. The birds ceased their chirping. Von Lichen planted his weapon with savage force close against the breast of his opponent, but Chessman, I noticed with satisfaction, immediately followed his example. The Count seemed to find a difficulty in breathing. "Are you ready?" "Yes," came from my man. But at that the second saw the Count stagger—there was a choking, gurgling exclamation, and he fell to the ground. I We all ran up to him.

"Why, the man is dead," said one of the doctors, after a quick examination. It was true. "■Heart seizure," he said, putting his hand within his vest.

"Yes; -it's all over. It is all very «ad."

But there was another surprise in store for us. Suddenly young Chessman leaned heavily against me. I clutched him round the waist.

"What is it? Come, pi)]] yourself together." But he had fainted. We laid him down on the grass, and the doctors turned their attention to him. "Tt is the heat and excitement. Undo his collar, loosen his vest. Why, great heavens," he shouted, "this is a woman!" A woman it was. A little brandy and she opened her eyes, smiled, then swooned again. Then it dawned upon me. Of .'course this was the Miss Chessman I knew in England. What a fool I had been! Her voice, her manner—why, of course

We carried her to the conveyance and Mrove straight to the hotel. By the time she got there she was quite hers en ngain, and anxious to start at once to join her friend, who was in Florence, and, I learnt afterwards, ignorant of her design; but we would not hear of her travelling. Miss Dorian was wired for; I met her that night and she heard with amazement the strange st'orv I had to tell. Next day the two left Rome. "Fear was responsible for Von Lichen's death," said his second to me as we walked out of the station, for he came with me to see them off. "Do you know his was the_ loaded pistol? But what a *brave girl! No wonder England is a great nation!"

1 Personally I feel that I shall never get out of the tragic atmosphere of that scene, when I saw the two standing •breast to breast and knew that one must die.

• The Invisible Hand that sent the Count to his death laid its cold hand upon Costello and myself, bringing with it sober thoughts and leaving two men more serious than it found them.