“Gentlemen, this must cease!” cried the major, coming between them. “In my house, too! Disgraceful!”
“He has got to apologize to me!” roared the dude, acting his part to perfection.
“Never!” shouted Montgomery.
“If you will not, I demand satisfaction. I –I will fight you in a duel.”
“A duel!”
“Yes, a duel. Pistols, at ten paces,” went on Felix Gussing.
“Well! well!” came from the major in amazement.
“Can I do less?” demanded the would-be son-in-law. “My honor is at stake.”
“Then stand by your honor by all means,” cried the military man, who, at times, was as hot-blooded as anybody.
During the talk the major’s daughter had come upon the scene.
“Oh, Felix, what does this mean?” she demanded.
“I am going to fight this–this fellow a duel, pistols at ten paces,” answered Felix, firmly.
“Felix!” she gasped. You will not, you cannot fight. For my sake, do not.”
“Clara,” answered the dude, smiling affectionately upon her. “For your sake I would forego any personal gratification, but I must not suffer a stain upon the honor.”
“Well said!” exclaimed the major. “Felix is behaving well. I couldn’t have done better myself. I admire his courage and I give him free permission to wed you after the–the–”
“But father, if he should be killed?” faltered the fair Clara.
“Never fear, Clara; “all will go well,” interposed Felix.
More words followed, but the dude pretended to be stubborn and so did Ulmer Montgomery. Both went off to arrange about the duel, and the major insisted upon it that he must be on hand to see the affair come off.
Matters were hurried along with all speed, and it was arranged that the duel should take place on the following morning at ten o’clock, in a country spot just outside of the city. Joe was invited to go along, and carried the pistols, and two others were let into the secret, including a doctor, who went fully prepared to attend to any wounds that might be inflicted.
It did not take long to load the pistols, with powder only. Great care was taken so that Major Sampson should not suspect the truth.
“Major,” said Felix, in a trembling voice. “If I–if anything serious happens to me tell Clara that–that I died like a man.”
“Noble boy! I will! I will!” answered the military man.
“When I give the word, gentlemen, you will both fire!” said one of the seconds.
“Very well,” answered both of the duelists.
“Ready? One–two–three–fire!”
Both pistols were simultaneously discharged. When the smoke cleared away it was ascertained that both parties were unharmed.
“Gentlemen, are you satisfied?” asked the seconds.
“I am,” answered Ulmer Montgomery, quickly.
“Then I shall be,” put in Felix Gussing. “And now that this affair is at an end, Mr. Montgomery will you shake hands?” he added.
“With pleasure, Mr. Gussing!” was the reply. “I must say in all frankness I am sorry we quarrelled in the first place. Perhaps I was wrong about the sword.”
“And perhaps I was wrong.”
“Both of you were wrong,” put in the major. “I hunted up the letter that came with the blade. It is an old Spanish weapon. Let us all call the affair off, and Mr. Montgomery shall come to Clara’s wedding to Mr. Gussing.”
“With all my heart,” cried Montgomery, and there the little plot came to a finish.
CHAPTER XX.
ATTACKED IN THE DARK.
“JOE, the plot worked to perfection!” said Felix Gussing, on the day following. “I have to thank you, and here are twenty dollars for your trouble.”
“I don’t want a cent, Mr. Gussing,” answered our hero. “I did it only out of friendliness to you. I hope you have no further trouble in your courtship.”
“Oh, that was all settled last night. Clara and I are to be married next week. We are going to send out the cards to-day. You see,” went on the young man in a lower tone. “I don’t want to give the major a chance to change his mind, or to suspect that that duel was not just what it ought to have been.”
“Does he suspect anything as yet?”
“Not a thing.”
“Then you are wise to have the wedding as quickly as possible.”