The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-04-15


child Your daughter, my daughter, pure
and innocent girl, whom her mothers shame
will degrade for life. Madame, have endured
the presence of your son in my house for Sc
venteen years, knowing he was stranger. He
must atone for his mothers crime. Between
the two children, Madame. you must pardon
me if / choose the welfare of my child Instead
of YOURS. Paul's hand shall avenge me on the
man who has injured me; thus of both shall
be rid"
Elise fell at his feet and held up her hands
in mute appeal. But Monsieur de Chenne-
Were threw her from him.
''All is vain. Madame said he; day is
about to dawn: l will see that justice is done
the justice of Heaven, who has at last had pity
on nv sufierings. You will remnin here for
once l will enforce my authority"
NJ. de Chennevicre left the room. and Elise.
desperate and horror stricken. heard him lock
the door,
Monsieur de Nonbarv meantime sat alone in
his apartment, watchin" from The windows
the gradual dawn of day, and thinking, rs he
inhaled the fumes of his hoOkah of long, long
a"o when Else. young and innocent girl
had looked SO trusttuly into his ewes. and told
him that. above all The world. she loved him.
He had fOrsaker her, not willingly but through
circumstances that he had not love sufficient
to break through He had left France amb-
lion and his military career had absorbed all
his faculties he had forgotten Elise; and now,
with a fatality that seemed directed BY the
hand Of God, his punishment WAS TO come from
the son Of the woman he hal wron@ed. He
would have given worlds to avoid this duel
but he had been insuted, openly insultcd he
Il soldier, could not shrink: the sacrifice was
too great eteynl, disgrace would he the con-
sequence.
Is thus he sat meditating his soul full OF
anguish. his servant who. knowing the morn.
ing $ business, was watching also. opened tie
door. and announced NJ. de Chenneviere.
Monsieur de Chenneviere:"
Yes, not Monsieur Paul ! am here pllr-
ro>cly before him
Il understand. hr,, oil. sir, spare u both
this painful interview: YOU are come to ask
for the lite Of your son, o. You bring his apO!-
Ogies-"
Neither, General.
- can accept neither apologies nor YOU. VI.
de Chenneviere, as 4 substitute for Your son:
the duel must take place.
= do not come as a substitute for ny son.
but come 20 say that this duel shall not take
place
did not tel You viii! no: accept you as
substitute for your son Z"
Gen. dc Monbary. have no SON."
NO son: Surely Pau de Chenneviere i,
your SON.
No, sir: hei. yonrs."
Yours. Monsieur DC Mon,ary: yesterday
when you beheld Elise Nanteuil, YOU remem
bered the whole adventure and related il, still
Won forgot one circumstance.
"What do you mean =
You forgot to say that you neglected to in
quire into the consequence of your little adven-
ture. Twenty-Five years ago, seven months
after Elise had become my wife Paul was born.
Four wears after his birth. when another child
had been born to me, a child whom this inter-
lOper will Illustrate of half her inheritance, l
learned the mothers secret and my disgrace"
Ii,
paul, that brave young soldier. so prompt to
avcnge his mothers wrongs"
Paul is your SON.
This duel is then impossible Oh, sir. I
will take my son from your home he shall ne
Yer trouble you again; we will go to Algiers
together: have no one 10 love in the world:
no one but this boy no, no, this duel cannot
take place: will claim HIM and go: what care
I for the Paris world? The whole army knows
my COURAGE; have given my proofs long ago.
will take my son and 60
''Claim Paul. BY what name will you claim
him! As the seducer Of his mother, young
girl who believed you man of honor and
trusted YOU. How think Won will he greet
YOU? What words of love can you say to him
whom You have left TO the mercy of strangers
and to whom your recognition must bring per
jury and dis@race:"
And We! he is my SON NY child MY noble
boy
Here is the dawu and have q carriage
stopping at your door. What, you decided.
Paul is here"
Monsieur de Clienneviere this duel is i'm
possible.
As he spoke, Pan!, followed by :. friend who
was to be his second. entered the room. 1t
had SO been agreed they were together to pro-
coed to Vinccnnes.
General" said Paul. I'VE are ready"
Monsieur de Chenneviere, l have q few
words OF explanation to give YOU
II came for no explanations; We have set
tied all preminaries. All! see my father
here: surely General de MOnbary is not going
to think l will he treated as child"
Paul. said NJ. de Chenneviere, Il have
nothing to do with this duel will leave
YOU" As he spoke. Nj. de Chenneviore LETT
the room.
Nov, Monsieur de Monbary' said Paul
you my sincere apologies for what has past"
"You. You General de Monbary. apologize
retract it cannot be-"
You think, Monsieur Paul. that there is
only one sort of courage, that of exposing
your life; of this courage have given proof;
now have conquered myself; recognize my
errors, and can even endure the look of con-
tempt that see on your features
II confess. General, this was not the cour-
age thought to find in one of your reputa-
ton: do not desire to accept an apology"
Monsieur Paul, be the consequences what
they may, will not fight"
Your very refusal is offensive
"NO, Paul" added the General, ''you are
young, you cannot yet Judge of mems conduct
and Of the motives which inspire it. You have
heard that for twenty years have fought my
countrys battles, risking every day my life;
you cannot accuse me Of cowardice; perhaps
in years to come you may understand my mo-
tives; cannot explain them now; all I can
say is that will not fight"
Paul bit his lip with anger Yet, as he gazed
on the bronzed face with its large black eyes
gazing down on him with a look Of tenderness
a strange feeling of respect came over him;
the taunting reply remained unuttered, and
gazed after him, nay, stood still in the same
attitude, until he heard the carriage drive from