The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-12-25


rudeiy."
.Meaning me7"
"Meaning precisely you.
"Do you know who l am p asked the
Count, half turning his back upon him,
and facing the lookers-on, as much as to
say, sNow observe how / will crush this
poor creature"
"Monsieur," replied the strawberry
eater, with perfect politeness in his tone,
II have the honor not to know you"
"Death of my life. I am the Comte
de v"
The strawberry-ea looked up, and
the easy, good-patured face was gone.
In its place was one with two gray eyes
which flashed like fire, and mouth chat
set itself very firmly
"The Comte de "" he repeated
in low voice.
Eyes, Monsieur. And what have you
to say against him p
az? o nothing"
'.That may be well for you"
"But there are those who say he is
coward" A
"That is enough" said the bully,
starting to his feet. "Monsieur will find
me in two hours at this address" finging
him a card.
"I shall not trouble myself to find
Monsieur lie Comte,' replied the straw
berry-eater, calmly tearing the card in
two.
s.Then I shall say of Monsieur what
be, permitting himself to lie, said just
now of me-"
.sAnd that is 2"
"That he is coward"
"You may say what you please, Mon
sieur le Comte. Those who know me
would not believe you, and those who do
not-my faith! what care what they
| think ?"'
sAnd thou-thou art Frenchmanl"
No one but Frenchman could have
thrown SO much disdain as he did into
the s' s'Mou."
The strawberry eater made no reply
but turned his head and called "Garcon"
The poor trembling creature came up
again, wondering what new dilemma was
prepared for him, and stood quaking
some ten yards off.
"Garcon,' said the stranger, ''is there
a room vacant in the hotel I"
! "Without doubt, Monsieur"
GA large one 2"
"But certainly. They are all large
| own apartments"
"Then engage the largest for me to-
Monsieur le Comte."
Monsieur, give my own orders when
necessary" said the Count loftily.
II thought to spare you the trouble.
Go, if you please" (this to the waiter, }
land prepare my rooms.
i Then the strawberry -eater returned to
his strawberries. The bully gnawed bis
/ lip. He could not make head or tail Of
this phlegmatic opponent. The circle
grew little wider, for horrid idea got
abroad that the Count had not found one
who was likely to suit him, and that he
would have to seek elsewhere what he
wanted.
The murmur that went round reused
the bully.
sMonsieur," he hlssed, "has presumed
to make use of word which among mer
of honor"
81 beg your pardon?"
(Which among men of honor"
"But what can Monsieur le Comte
possibly know what is felt among mer
of honor?" asked the other, with shrue
of incredulity.
"Will you fight yourself with me, ol
viii you not" roared the Count, goaded
to fury.
IF Monsieur le Comte will give him
self the trouble to accompany me to the
apartment which, no doubt, is now pre-
pared for me-" replied the stranger, ris
ing, will satisfy him."
ssGood," said the other, kicking dowr
his chair; 81 am with you. waive ths
usual preliminaries. l only beg to OBJ
: serve that am without arms; but i
you"
: 80, don't trouble yourself on tha
7 score" said the stranger, with grin
smile. "If you arc not afraid, follow
me-"
2 This he said in a voice sufficiently lout
| for the nearest to hear, and the circl
> parted right and left, like startled sheep
as the two walked towards the house.
Was there no one to call "police," d
one to try and prevent what to all SCENE,
imminent ? Not soul! The dreade,
duelist had his evil fit on, and every on
breathed freely now that be knew th
victim was selected. Moreover, no on
supposed it would end there.
The count and his friend ~ were ush
! cred into the apartment prepared for tn
. latter, who, as soon as the garcon ha,
left, took off his coat and waistcoat, an,
proceeded to remove the furniture SO a
to leave the room free for what was t
follow-the count standing with folde'
arms, glaring at him the while. TIL
decks being cleared for action, the stran
ger locked the door, placed the key Of
the mantel-piece behind him, and said
s ~ think you might have helped lit
tie; but never mind. Will ysu give M
;. your attention for five minutes ?''
o Perfectly"
), ..Thank you. I am, as have toll
8 you. Frenchman, but was educate
! 10 England, at one of her famous publ
schools Had been sent to one of on
. own Lycees, / should, perhaps, hav
. gained. more book knowledge, but, as