The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-08-28

All his conduct shows that he has a personal
object. While have been listening to him,
with heart wrung, but with a brow cold and
damp, he has cast upon me strange looks.
His manner seems designed in some way, to
freeze me with terror Speaks only Tor me.
A faithful man would rot have risked so
much to give me warning
9s:Conclusion: Mr.. George Leslie is a bravo
whose stiletto is for SALE Is it not soY' o.
Notwithstanding all your perspicacity7--0
commenced the viscount.
aOr, very probably" interrupted George,
sMr. Leslieais a. beggar, and asks OF me aims,
with musket in his hands ?elg a5sd ai4ss
ssAIy God, sir! p said the viscount, with a
depreeatory air, II have not. Thought that"
ayes" replied George, ".you have thought
even more than that. [ have not finished.
You said to yourself, with man in my
condition of life, no bargain could be made.
I am going to propose to him to sell me his
employer -e---
Theyiscount made movement, and George
stopped and said ~ llaI5a bo3at,4a-lIaa aaVte
assI3o you deny it 2, ,3og l.3ai ali'i s.ss;ssef
The viscount remained mute. ,....,cs
ssYou do not deny it," resumed George
aahd you are right not to do 50. But 4
doubt came upon you-ifl should refuse?
This was a serious thing. George. Leslie re-
fusing, the Viscoupt de Villiers was COM
pletely. at his mercy. The viscount perfectly
understood this. He. took the a6lventprer,
George Leslie, under lis arm, like an old
friend, and he said to him, come. He con-
Quoted him to the heights of Montmartres
It would have been better, for what the yis
count wished to do, if VIC had beea upon the
plains Of Mexico, or even upon one Of the desc
late declivites which lead to the camp of the
Golden Dagsers; but Monster the Viscount
had no choice. George Leslie would not pro,
baby have followed him there! At o'clock
in the morning, in the winter season, with
the thermometer at ten or twelve degrees, the
summit Of Montuartre is sufficiently dark for
a conversation Once here, Nj. dc Nillers e4-
pected to exhibit his pistols, and say: !. How
much do you ask to do this or that !? In the
probable case Of acceptance by George Les
lie, no human being would have knowledge
Of the agrcemant. In case of refusal, what
probable connection would sthere have been
between the Viscount de Yilliers and the I'M
known corpse which they would have found
at daybreak stretched upon the snow?" i7-'b-
''What is the use Of discussing this?' MUIR
INJURED the yiscount. ID yab }9f .1 ti
my revolver decided the question" re
piled Leslie. I am Of your opinion. The
matter is nova triAe. Let us come to terms.
~ offer you a hundred thousand francs"
said Henri. ss, i3 49,
"Fihy thousand more, for the love which
you have for your afianced This makes
seven thousand five hundred louis "
$50 be it. But wish to know
"Why fifty thousand more !? Let me tell
you that Rosen is as caprieious as an Amcrl
can. He designs to apply 10 you vigorously
the rule OF retaliation. You have taken from
! III LIN his gold and his alfanccd-"
"Does he wish to take from me nv gold
| and my athanced? This is a good Sign"
i"And is worth fifty thousand francs, is it
not 2"
s"rhat depends upon what you are going to
do for me-" answered the viscount.
| care youa man Of action p G
fs"When cannot be man of leisure
II understand. Give me your hand"
"Perhaps-but it will cost you an extraya-
CANT price.
II repeat my question Tell me how [
can buy you for fifty thousand crowns
An enormous sum, dear sir. Equality OF
arms in the duel which will perhaps take place
to-day. | promise to show you to-day the
Count Albert de Rosen, you adversary"
"Can l see him without being scent" asked
NJ de Villiers. Us j.
eff you choose"
Henri reflected an instant.
"A hundred and fifty thousand francs y
said he ''Y GU will not ask for more p
s:Your a1lianced, replied Leslie, counting
upon his fingers, 'syour fortune and your life
Fifty thousand francs each. Is it dear ?'
The visoount held out his right hand, which
Leslie took. They both said: ' 5
s'The bargain is concluded !" s9If a4
Some minutes before the large black cloud
had reached the zenith the snow commenced
falling. The night suddenly became so black
that the tower the telegraph disappeared il
the darkness. rs.
4 cone word, said George, aand we will Sc
parate Do you know the duke Of Rivas?
s.The Brazilian ambassador? Very init
fn1ately. The duchess is one Of the most
charming women Of Paris, with her hair q "a
Nuon,r and her Mexican eyes, blacker thar
1 jet Rivas was married at Durango, after
having led the life Of an adventurer, like my
self We have met among the Cordilleras.'
aWhat kind of party will the duke give
this evening p
"a masked ball. All Paris will be there >
Il count upon you to introduce me to Ma
dame the Duchess" said George. at is at
the Brazilian embassy that will show yor
the Count Albert de Rosen."
A genuine whirlwind enveloped Montmar
tire when these two companions regained tho
little street The snow fell IN flakes, chased
about by furious wind They could with
difficulty find their way. g So 7ah
It was a long night Of Christmas. NJ
| light yet showed itself in the east.
"To-night!' said the viscouut.
."To-night," repeated George Leslie. "Wher
the clock strikes twelve, I will be az your no
tel'' go
The viscount turned toward the church
George passed along the side Of the chateau
rouge sss lE
They were not half dozen steps separated
before they were invisible to each other.
The storm had ceased A voice was heart
in the darkness opposite. a'
ssTawah is here" it said.
ssT7a.a thn track and fnllow him :" ordered