The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-05-24
THE SECOND PELLET.

During the carnival of 1925, George
Benier made the acquaintance, at an
opera ball, of lady who was much
sought after at that period, and who
was known as the Baroness of Bel
monte. We say known, for she was
no more baroness than her mother,
who sold artichokes in winter and or
anges in summer. Despite her hum
bic origin, the baroness, however, was
beautiful and clever, and she managed
to captivate the young man.
He could not sleep at night and
spent the day in deploring to his friend
I Prosper Dyonnet She cruelty Of the
fair one. Not that the baroness OBJ
jected to the young mans attentions,
but she knew her interests too well to
succumb at once. Three weeks had
passed in walks aud drives, the lady
had accepted both cashmeres and dia-
monds, but as yet had given no signs
of reciprocal affection. George be-
gan to weary of laying seige to so i'm
pregnable place; scenes of recrimin
alton occurred, till the lady, fearing
she might lose her lover, showed some
symptoms Of relenting
George was walking arm in arm
with his friend Prosper on the Boul-
eyards; he was in high spirits; visions
of happiness were before him which he
did not fail to confde to his bosom
friend, and they agreed to celebrate
the happy turn III events by repast
at the Cafe Anglais. They had just
reached the threshold, and George
was about to step in, when he was
stopped by hand placed on his
shoulder, and voice interposed-
81 beg your pardon, sir. A word, if
you please
George turned round in anger.
The voice was we'll known to him
very unpleasantly so-and he and his
friend Prosper recognized at once the
man of the Cafe de Paris, the man
with the gray moustaches and but
toned-up coat--Captain Rodet. Both
were disconnected the meeting was
not agreeable but the young officer
of dragons, quickly recovering him
self, inquired, in a naughty tone, what
the veteran wanted with him.
Every little, sir, replied the latter,
in tone of exquisite politeness. 81
wish to return this to You, and at the
same time to announce to you that,
now you are 50 perfectly recovered, |
will put it in your power to receive a
portion of the remainder"
George had mechanically opened
the paper handed to him by the cap
tain 1t contained pellet of bread.
"NIonsieur - he said-and he was
about to add, 81 thought that meet
ing, followed by a severe wound, was
sufficient punishment for an act of
thoughtlessness;" but there was some
thing so austere and implacable in the
veterans looks that the words stuck
in his throat But Prosper had not
the same reasons as his friend for de-
clining to reason upon the matter.
"Monsieur," he said, addressing the
captain. "unless you are impelled by
motives of personal hostility, l cannot
understand what interest you can have
in exacting another meeting on the
part of NJ. George Benier. The insult
was slight, you must admit; and is not
your honor satisfied by the blood al
ready split %
But the veteran never wavered in
the inhexible expression which he had
assumed, and, with his eyes fixed on
George, he awaited an answer without
vouchsafng a reply to Prosper.
Captain" said the former, seeing
there was no alternative, 81 do not ac-
cept the words pronounced by my
friend, | am ready to meet you where
and when you like, and we will fight
as much as you like. :"
Tomorrow morning - the same
place and the same hour as before,
! replied the captain, who had resumed
his most affable manner.
''Be it so, replied George Benier.
Poor Georgel his skill III killing flies
with pellets of bread was destined TO
entail vast amount of misery. On
the occasion of this his second en-
counter, anger and hatred of his rival
impaired double strength to his arm,
and gave unwonted yigor to his thrusts.
But it was in vain; the veteran parri-
ed his sword as coolly as if fencing
with foils. The struggle lasted long
time; George became exhausted by
his efforts and evaporation, and at
length fell upon the greensward; the
captains sword had penetrated hi.
chest, To add to his horror, as he lay
fainting from loss Of blood, he hearo
the old soldier say: "Adieu, till We
meet again.
This time George remained three
months in bed, and another month il
his arm chair. During these lons
{ days of suffering and debility, friend
ship alone remained faithful to tn,
patient. Love had taken its flight -
The first that George life tn,
surgeons had despaired of for three
| long weeks-was allowed to speak
Prosper felt inclined TO avoid him, bu
! George said:
"Stay, stayl Who you'd love me j
l were fool enough to quarrel will
you ?"
| Prosper shook his head sorrowiully
} "Alas !" he said, sickness trie
, friendship, and love, too, does it not
! Well, fraol,ly, you could not ex