Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-07-29

'Frank,' she said, Though we may never more
see each other in this world, cannot refuse this
request, for know how dear fathers life is
can trust you, Frank, know, with the secret that
guards the life that is bound up with mine. My
father, years ago. lost his left arm at siege in In
dia; it was replaced by one of wood, skilfully made
working with metal springs, and strengthened be.
low the elbow by metal bands. On this he receives
his advcrsarcs first thrust then quick as thought
he breaks in two his encmy's blade with heavy
side blow, and delivers his heavy thrust under the
| left collarbone.'
Clisson's lips were pressed to hers, when warn
ing from the black nurse, Of the Colones carriage
stopping at the hotel door, disturbed the lovers,
and they parted with hurried and passionate EN-,
BRACE
| The same night, to the astonishment of the club
and the no great sorrow of the next combatant-
Clisson announced his intention of being the next
man tocrofs,swords with the Colonel.
81 have my reasons" he said "and tonight
carry off the girl.
"But that confoundcl thruSt?' suggested the
chairman
20, leave that to me- | did not learn fencing
of Destouches for nothing; never you fear me-
"Clisson has got some mischief in hand, said
one of the men "hs eyes sparkle so, and he is in
such mad spirits. Well, Id just as soon be fought
this Colonel before me- I'd rather the old fellow
got thrust or two in his sword arm before my
turn came
The duel took place the next morning. The
Colonel paused when he saw Clisson. The doors
closed, and they we're left alone.
"Young man, he said, "we have old grudges,
and it is we'll we meet Have you not taken warn
| ing by your companions? VIII nothing teach you
wisdom? I thoughtful of you at Guadaloupe, and
refused you my daughter, and here l find you o
member Of club of fassassins. Come, draw, sir. y
"Colonel Massard, said Clisson, biting his un.
der lip till the blood almost came, ''you owe more
to good fortune than to skill and courage, toe
have been fortunate with the sword. Luck may
turn this time. Ihave my companions to revenge,
and your insults, oldand new, to repay threefold.
| The Colonel threw his hat behind him. and drew
his sword.
"Young man, he said, II am told that in your
club priority goes according to the number of hom
cides you haveefected In that case you have not
L Va
Now, sir, come, death waits for you.
The Colonel was cold and sternly resolute; but
there was no eagerness for blood in the manner in
which he advancedto the attack There was more
of the judge than the executioner about him as he
looked round the dim, ghastly room. He seemed
as confident Of victory as if he had been sent from
Heaven to perform punishment that had been
prophesied. He stood there frame of steel, his
sword feeling along his adversarys blade, sensitive
of the finest vibration and thrsting for the thrust
Clisson also stoed keen of eye and watchful.
Suddenly the Colonel dashed the left arm at his
point The wooden fingers opened to clutch the
blade Clisson saw the moment had arrived. He
passed his point to the right threw off his adver-
sarys sword and then, with swift, clinging pres
sure towards the ht, bent it to the floor. The
Colonel drew back astonished but careless of his
life, he did not retire from the threatening sword
that was raised to strike him to the heart Cisson
delayed his vengeance only to taste it the longer
He had pierced his adversary's left shoulder,
and the sword was raised for the coup dr. grace,
when the folding-doo of the inner room leading
to the balcony were dashed open; it was Dolores
who rushed in, drawing pistol, fired at her cruel
and fithless lover, who fell to the floor, pierced by
bullet.
The brave girl, soldiers daughter, perfectly
reliant on her lover truth, yet still, she knew not
why, appfehensive Of the result of the duel, had
concealed herself armed, in the inner room of the
club, with the cooperation Of her faithful black
nurse. The first word spoken by Clisson proved
to her that she had been betrayed; and hearing
her father in danger, she at once appeared on the
scene as an avengng angel, to saveher father, and
punish her worthless and lying lover.
"Gentlemen," said the Colonel who had heard
all from Dolores, as he threw open the door and
admitted the now terrified club lit was my daugh-
ter who struck down this man, not l. He was a
liar and scoundrel: he broke his word, and he
has deserved his fate even if it be instant death.
Take up your champion; I have punished you
now enough. Tonight my daughter, and myself
depart for New Orleans where [ can be heard of
by any of your club still wishing to cross swords
Gibson eventually recovered, and fled to South
America he re-appearcd during the war Of lnde-
pendcnce, but sank lower and lower in nfamy, till
pistol-shot over gambling table at Caoa, final
ly rid the world of hopeless villain. AS for Col.
Massard he settled after the peace, in Arkansas
and mainly helped to reclaim the wild territory
from the Indians.
The facts Of this story even to the minutest de-
TAIL may be depended on as strictly true. Dolores
NIassard three years after the downfall of the
Death s-Head Club married nephew Of General
Washington. Her descendants are now wealthy
people in Louisiana, and have large estates few
miles from Baton Rouge, on the banks of the Mis-
sissippi.
A OJAKER WEDDING