The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-10-02

'.What landau! And how does tins con-
Germ me 2"
"Sir," quietly said Count Albert. Il have
already told you you were brave in other
times"
Il hope to prove to you, sir, that I am
brave yet.
Rosen smiled, while a painful sigh escaped
from his breast.
Against some people, he said courage
Is easy Bat torcwarn you that | am a
stronger man than my appearance indicates
People are looking at US. sir. Will you have
the kindness to give he your arm, and we
will go down to the garden y
Henri made no objection. While going
along Count Albert said, 1T is dear; fifty
thousand crowns"
II am rich" answered Henri, with a pro
voking accent. Il manage my affairs as
choose"
They arrived in the garden and reached
the grand passage which conducts to the
Avenue Gabrielle.
'.Monsieur de Villers," said Rosen, Hhere
we are alone ihave no hatred in my heart.
The gold which you stole from me do not
regret the loss of. Give name to the daugh-
ter of Ellen Talbot and you will be pardon
ed"
II love my cousin, Mademoisc;le de Bots
trudsn," answered Henri. LET us speak no
more Of this. count. if you please. aud let us
take measures to settle the differences which
exist between U.S. Does our agreement hold
good 7"
You broke it by your fight. but re
establish it. 1t holds good"
.'Will the duel take place without witness
esq"
'.Certainly"
with American arms Z"
'.Choose the arms"
NJ. de Viiiers reflected an instant:
The carbine," he said 1.-The knife in case
We approach each other 9ia
Rosen
At the moment when they turned at the
end Of the avenue to retrace their steps, NJ.
de Viliers remarked two carriages which were
stationed upon the causeway Of the Avenue
Gabrielle. just opposite the gate. ''Ars those
your carriages, he asked
I'VE will fight in the open field" pursued
Rosen, lin any place YOU may yourself choose
For myself, know nothing about the sub
urbs OF Paris. Make your choice"
"Do you wish to go far?' asked Henri.
Il have an appointment here in the morn
ing. Let it be as near as possible"
s.Three leagues from here" said NJ. de
Villiers, sbe,ween the village Of Courheuve
and the Flanders road, there is an open cul-
tivated plain, without houses, or huts, or gar
dens At daybreak, this season Of the year.
it is deserted"
LET it be the plain Of Courneuve. We
will arrive at daybrcak."
They stopped again. They were. for the
second time before the gate. Roscn drew
key from his bosom and opened it.
LET us CO. he SAID.
Henri dsengayed his arm and recoiled
few steps.
.'Let us 60" repeated Rosen. But the
viscouut remaining innlovable. he continued:
You also had prepared two carriages. sir
was lacking iii vigilance, but others were
watching over me Upon the plain we will
be equal-berc, we are not. For you have
faith in my honor, while believe you capa-
bic Of a crime"
Sir commenced the viscount straighten
ing himself up
20 Brien is not dead-I assure you Of that"
resumed Rose,, calmly. .Towah and George
Leslie are as well as yon are. Atthis hour
can. if caoose, call on, as witnesses who
will accuse you OF assassination. all the guests
assembled in the saloons of Madame the
Duchess of Rivas. There is some blood I'm
der the balcony. 1t is no longer a theft
~ r. A
which hangs over you. The question is not
now about poor young girl betrayed IN
strange country. The law will not demand
of you an account Of letters suppressed and
other little infamies. For myself pass the
sponge over all your misdecds anterior to this
night, and wipe them out But this night
you have offered hundred and fifty thousand
francs to any oue who would show you my
face. so that you might point me out to the
poignards Of your bandits. You belong to
me, NJ. de Viliiers. Among hundred men.
listen to me weil-among Il hundred men you
would not find another one in my condition
fool enough to place arms in your hands and
say to yon, as | say to you. bet us g"!!
Henri passed the gate first. ''All that you
say is false he murmured. except two
things. You are Il fool and | do nul trust
in your homer. Are the arms within 2"
lie pointed out one Of the two carriages
"Smilar ar,.s in each" answered Kos.n,
':and cloak in each Take YOUR choice"
NJ. de Vilicrs mounted iuto one Of the
carriages.
The Lille road he said to the coach
man ito the Brook of Mouttost"
.sAnd p asked Rosen.
"Yop.. to the Brook OF Montfort, by the
Ceurnpuve road"
The two carriages left together, the horses
at a gallop
\ shadow glidcd between the trees Of
Champs Elysees, and followed them running
CHAPTER XVII-TowAH's MoccAsINs.
NJ. Benoit. proprietor. transformed into Il
ccachman. whipped up his horses. He turn
I'd the hill OF Montmartre aud entered ST
Dennis street.
The landau jolted terribly, but the four
good fellows who were within slept soundly
81 have a great mind to turn them over
upon my word, said Benoit to himself, land
see if that will wake them up"
The assent was slippery. The melted snow
everywhere filled the cutters, and the street
badly lighted, was completely deserted NJ