New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-01-21

only her own daring and the many male
friends who were devoted to her that sus-
tanned her in the position she occupied.
The poor girl was evidently looking for
husband-at least so thought Malsherbes,
aud in moment of unaccountable pique
he said as much in a crowded drawing
room, and added, ''but paurre enfant, she
bystander. Captain Malsherbes made a
very foolish reply. He meant it 10 be witty;
it was cruel .'Bedanse," said he. ''the
poor creature has wooden leg" At this
all ewes were turned to Mile. Lavalette. To
Captain Malsherbes' utter discontinue she
was within earshOt, and overheard every
word of his malicious joke. A deadly pale
ness overspread her cOuntenance, and she
walked away in silence, but with CLEAN
of hatred in her eyes that might have ap-
palled the facetiOus captain had he been nm
fortunate to see it. Thoroughly uncOn-
scious, however, of this incident, he went
on in an easy, testing way, throwing his
darts here and there, raising a laugh against
everybody, and immensely amusing his au-
dltOrs. As often happens, the squlbs d.
rected against everybody else were forgot
ten, hut Lavalette's wooden leg was the
constant theme of gossip.
The animus that had long been nourished
against her now found vent, and nothing
was nedru VI 1Or Wtehs, out HAuo' Low"
lette's wooden leg. Now there was no
further foundation for this than Malsherbes'
canard, and an almost imperceptible halt
in Mademoiselle's step. This defect had
never been noticed before; but now it was
the theme of a thousand female tongues.
Nothing was heard of in Paris but the jamie
Gc bois, and MademOiselle Lavalette, cOu-
rageous as she was, could brave 1t no Ion.
ger She disappeared from society, and
nothing more was heard OF Ter. hidlcule
is more potent than hate; and the jamie de
bois killed her as effectually as though she
had committed crime. The gay captain
was called to Toulon some time after his
imprudent slip of the tongue. and only
heard of its result from the letter OF a
friend which he received some months
after. He heard of it with dismay, and
ceased to regret his cruelty. He confidently
expected a challenge from some OF Mile.
Lavalette's numerous gallants. but although
his new address was well known in Paris,
no hostile cartel.
All of a sudden he was confronted on the
memorable seventeenth of May, by
stranger whose striking likeness to Mile.
Lavalette stamped him at once as her
brother.
Calling the captain by name, he chal-
lenged him on the spot, and bidding him
defend himself assaulted him fiercely with
his raDlef. MdlSEeTUtS, a. uoICu
adept, soon found he had no mean antag-
on;st; his favorite lunge was parried, and
the unknOwn's sword found its way toward
our heros heart. Luckily for him. it was
stopped by rib, and thus saved his life.
The avenger instantly disappeared. 1t was
the same strange enemy who encountered
him in the Bots de Boulogne; the same who
caused the loss of his leg at Fort Brotteaux.
Further than that his tormentor was an ex-
l. l.. nod
at his leg, the captain knew not. This lat
ter circumstance, and the resemblance al
ready mentioned, lett no doubt in his mind
that be was prosecuted solely tor his foolish
fling at Mile. Lavalette, and though fiercely
iucensed at the loss he had sustained, he
looked upon it as partly deserved. 1t was a
whimsical revenge. There remained little
doubt in the event of his recovery as to who
would have wooden leg. An eye for an
eye, tooth for a tooth, leg for leg.
Justice itself could not have been more
equitable.
Contrary to every hope, Captain Malsher-
hes recovered. He bore the operation man
fully. and went through long relapse with
heroic fOrtitude. He soon after threw up
his commission. and retired from the army,
and nothing was heard of him for some
Years At last the report OF serious duel
in the Bots de BoulOgne between NJ. Nal
sherbes and NJ. Lavalette appeared in the
Paris journals. At this time the use OF side
arms had grown into disrepute, and such at
fairs were generally settled with the pistol.
Such was the case now. M. Malsherbes an
tagonist so the papers stated, had received
a serious pistol shot directly beneath the
left lung. l was stopping at st Cloud then.
but Immediately hurried to the city. |
sought out my old friend, and learned the
extraordinary particulars. A day before the
event he received a cartel from the hands of
a captain in the navy. IL which the writer,
who signed himself Lieutenant Lavalette,
congratulated M Malsherbes upon his re-
covery, and imagining the desire for re-
venge which. no doubt, filled MOnsieur's
breast, offered him a full opportunity to
crafty it, that was. if NJ Malsherbes did not
consider himself taken al unfair odds on ac-
count of his wooden leg The writer would
meet him at any time he appointed, and at
any place the challenged party, as usual.
to choose his weapon.
1t concluded in this manner: 'The spirit
and courage of NJ Malsherbes is too well
known to be doubted, but the writer warns
him that whether he accepts or refuses this
offer he never will cease to be encountered
until one or the other shall fall NJ. Mails
herbes of course, accepted If, appointed
the time and place-the Bots de Boulogne,
a noted theatre for such meetings-aud
designated pistols for weapons. An allu-
sion he was compelled to make TO bis
wooden stump in waving all inequality in
the proposed combat from that score was
met by lis enemy polite friend with a grim
smile.
MaIsherbes was dead shot with the pis-
tOl, yet, during the interval before the meet
ing he was not free from the most serious
He had already three strong
reasons tor not despising his antagonist.
He made his will, and prepared, as any
brave man would, for the worst. AT the
appointed time he repaired to the field with
al old military cOmrade as second. Every
Formally was gone through. According to
agreement, M. Malsherbes was propped
with his back against tree, SO that bis
wooden infirmity bore not to his disadvan-
tage, and in order to make everything even.
NJ Lava iette, who now appeared in the full
uniform of an officer of the royal navy, was
likewise backed by tree. The main con.
ditiens of the duel were that, at the word,
each party was to deliver fire. and, if neither
were wounded, their seconds were to reload
their pieces and allow them to commence
de noS0. At the first fire Lavalette's cap
was carried away, and Malsherbes wounded
in the f1eshy part of his left arm. lie re-
jected an offer of release from the contest.
and Instructed his second to reload his
piece.
Both parties evinced the greatest GOODNESS
and precision. The seconds both veterans,
were perfectly charmed. All was silent as
the grave. 1t was early dawn; the swallows
twittered through the park; the fresh air Of
morning bore an incense redOlent OF leaves
and dew-washed flowers; the gray sky above
| them frightened every moment with the as
cending sun, and looked down wonderingly
upon these two madmen bent upon sending
each other out of this beautiful world for
what began from folly and was continued
from passion. Never did the lovely park
look better than at this time-tbe middle of