omantic Duel?

ome time ago Baron Von Lodge was the head of a small country near Switzerland known as Lilliland.

Lady Angela of Alpine Castle had a cousin from France visiting her for several months during one summer. Cousin Rachael was very warm and attractive and many unmarried men in Lilliland frequently wanted to date her. Two such men, Anthony and Albert, seemed to be in competition for her favor.

The two men thought she was interested in each socially. They were so excited that they decided to have a fight over her attentions. They planned a secret duel with swords at dawn in a remote section of one of the parks in Lilliland.

Only the most trusted friends of the two men would be invited, as well as Rachael. A note was sent to Rachael by special courier to inform her about the time and place and asked her to be present. The courier was asked to return later for her reply. This would give Rachael a chance to discuss the note with Lady Angela.

Lady Angela read the invitation to the duel and asked what Rachael was going to do. Lady Angela said that most people do not know Rachael very well and did not know how very intelligent she was.

Rachael said that she would prepare a reply to the two men who planned the duel.

The letter said that she would not attend the duel under any circumstances. The letter advised the two men that watching them poke holes in each other was as stupid as one could get. Rachael said that she would never be a prize in any contest. “If the duel must be fought, please do not advise me as to the results. I am not interested.”

Enclosed with this note was a bottle of fine Lilliland wine and two glasses. Instead of hurting each other, why not enjoy a good glass of fine wine together?

The day of the duel came and the two parties arrived expecting to fight a duel, but received the note and the wine instead. They were very bewildered when they learned that Rachael was not interested in either one of them and did not want to know the results of the duel. They decided not to duel, but instead enjoyed the wine and maybe learned that a woman is not a prize to be won in a contest.