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

Madame, you forgot that you have another
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 I will see that justice is done
the justice of Heaven. who has at last had pity
on my sufferings. You will remnip here for
once will enforce my authority
NJ de Chenneviere left the room, and Elise.
desperate and horror. stricken, heard him lock
the door.
Monsieur de AIonbarv meantime sat alone in
his apartment watching from the windows
the gradual dawn of day, and thinking, as he
inhaled the fumes of his hOOkah OF long, long
ago. when Elise, young and innocent girl,
had looked so trustfully into his eyes, 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 ambi-
tiOn 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 had wronged. He
would have given worlds to avoid this duel,
but he had been insulted, openly insulted: he
a soldier, could not shrink; the sacrifice was
too great eternal disgrace would be the con-
sequence.
As thus he sat meditating his soul full Of
anguish. his servant, who. knowing the morn.
ings business. was watching also, opened the
door. and announced M. de Chenneviere.
Monsieur de Chenneviere?"
''Yes, not Monsieur Paul; am here pur-
posely before him
~ understand, but oh. sir, spare us both
this painful interview; you are come to ask
for the lite of your son, Or you bring his apOl-
ogies-"
Neither, General"
- can accept neither apologies nor you, NJ.
de Chenneviere, as a substitute for your son;
the duel must take place"
do not come q substitute for my son,
but come 10 say that this duel shall not take
place "
'Did not tell you will not accept you as
a substitute for your son ?"
Gen. dc MOnbary, have no son."
"No son; Surely Paul de Chenneviere is
your son."
No. sir; lis yours."
Mime"
Yours Monsieur de Monlary; yesterday.
when you beheld Elise Nanteuil, you remem-
bered the whole adventure and related it, still
yon forgot one circumstance"
What do you mean5'
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 years after his birth, when another child
had been born to me, q child whom this inter-
loper will frustrate of half her inheritance,
learned the mothers secret and my disgrace"
paul is my son !" exclaimed Gen. MOnbary.
"Paul, that brave young soldier, so prompt to
avenge his mothers wrongs"
Paul is your son."
This duel is then impossible Oh. sir.
will take my son from your home he shall ne
yer trouble you again; we will go to Algiers
together; have no one to love in the world;
no one but this boy no, no, this duel cannot
take place; will claim hun aud 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 go-'
"Claim Paul! By what name will you claim
him? As the seducer of his mother, a young
girl who believed you man of honor and
trusted you. How think you 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 disgrace?" .r9. H.#
And yet he is my SON. my child my noble
boy"
Here is the tlawn and have carriage
stopping at your door. What, you decided!
Paul is here.
Monsieur de Chenneviere, this duel is i'm
possible t,f.o.
As he spoke, Panl, followed by a friend whO
was to be his second. entered the room. 1t
had so been agreed they were together to pro-
ceed to Vincennes.
General" said Paul, tive are ready.r
Monsieur de Chenneviere. I have few
do Of Avv>lo trv,f IN rviv-
II came for no explanations; we have set
tied all preliminaries. All, l. see my father
here; surely General de Monbary is not going
to think will be treated as child"
Paul." said M. de Chenneviere, ~ have
nothing to do with this duel will leave
the room. :.
Now, Monsieur de Monbary, said Paul
Monsieur Paul" said de Monbary, offer
You my sincere apologies for what has past"
you, you General de Monbary. apologize,
retract it cannot be-" tts
only one sort of courage, that of exposing
your life; of this courage have given proof;
now have conquered myself; recognize nv
errors, and can even endure the look of con-
tempt that see on your features" n4
II confess. General, this was not the cour-
ton; do not desire to accept an apology"
Monsieur Paul, be the consequences what
they may, will not fight" a
Your very refusal Is offensive"
mo, 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" 'l, n
Paul bit his lip with anger. Yet, az he gazed
on the bronzed face with its large black eyes
gazing down on him with a look Of tenderness,
q strange feeling of respect came over him
the tannting reply remained unuttered, and
with sigh he turned away. M. de M0nbary
attitude until he heard the carriage drive from