time."

"I am wonderful only in what you give me," he answered.

"How beautifully you speak," she whispered; but the remainder of that
interview is not at all necessary to this story.

Dic left Rita late in the afternoon and met Williams on the street down
town. They could not easily pass each other without exchanging words, so
they stopped and spoke stiffly about the weather, past, present, and
future. Dic tried to conceal all traces of resentment, and partially
succeeded. Williams, still smarting from his troubles and mistakes with
Rita, and hating Dic accordingly, concealed his feelings with poor
success. The hatred of these men for each other was plain in every word
and act, and in a few moments, Williams, unable longer to bear the
strain, said:--

"This sham between us is disgusting. Let us settle our differences as
gentlemen adjust such affairs."

"Do you mean that we shall fight it out?" asked Dic.

"Yes," returned Williams. "You are not afraid to fight, are you?"

"No, and yes," answered Dic. "I have had but few fights--I fear I could
not go into a fight in cold blood and--and for many reasons I do not
wish to fight you."

"I supposed you would decline. I knew you to be a coward," sneered
Williams, growing brave upon seeing Dic's disinclination.

"No," responded Dic, calmly looking into Williams's face, "I have
nothing to fear from you. You could not stand against me even for one
minute."

"But you misunderstand me," said Williams. "I do not wish to fight with
my fists. That is the method of ruffians and country bullies. I am not
surprised at your mistake."

Dic laughed softly and replied: "I do not know why your words don't
anger me. Perhaps because I pity you. I can afford to be magnanimous and
submit to your ravings; therefore, I am neither angry nor afraid."

"I propose to settle our difficulty as gentlemen adjust such affairs,"
said Williams. "Of course, you know nothing about the methods of
gentlemen. I challenge you to meet me in a duel. Now do you
understand--understand?"

Williams was nervous, and there was a murderous gleam in his eyes. Dic's
heart throbbed faster for a moment, but soon took again its regular
beat. He rapidly thought over the situation and said:--

"I don't want to kill you and don't want you to kill me." He paused for
a moment with a smile on his lips and continued: "Suppose we let the
girl decide this between us. But perhaps I am again showing my ignorance
of gentle