The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-11-13

the cautious reply.
Nothing was said absolutely per-
sonal?"
Nothing"
every well will say good evening
here" and the prince abruptly left,
turning into the Rue Halevy.
That same evening a very different
scene was occurring in house situated
on one of the fine streets leading out of
the Champs Elysee near the Arc de
Triomph. It was in one of those ex'
quisitely arranged and artistically fur
nished French boudoirs, which are the
result of ample fortune and refined
taste combined. Here sat very beau
tiful Parisienne at harp, upon which
she was playing with exquisite harmony
and feeling, there being only one lis
tener by her side, and he the Prince
Ghika. The lady could hardly have
seen twenty summers, and yet was regal
in her maidenly beauty and perfection
of form. The scene told its own story
lat once Could Prince Sontko have
seen his traditional enemy bending over
the lady's hand, and with chaste and
gallant salute, thanking her for the
pleasure she had afforded him by her
sweet voice and artistic touch of the
instrument, he would have seen the
folly of the report which he had so
body at the Maison Doree.
This was the affianced bride of the
Young and handsome Prince Ghika, and
a happier betrothal could hardly have
been imagined, or a more appropriate
selection made in all the charmed cir
Gle of Partisan aristocracy. Celeste de
la Roche was indeed a fitting bride for
the Wallachian noble Fortune, birth,
education, and exquisite artistic taste,
they both posses 3ed in common, and
the year of probation was even now
drawing to close, at the completion of
which they were to be joined to the
altar.
After e tender leave-t taking they
separated for the night. the prince or
dering his carriage to drive home. He
soon arrived in front of his residence,
and just as he was alighting, q person
fastened from the opposite side of the
street. and approaching the prince, ex-
claimed roughly
- Take that and that - at the same
time striking him two fierce blows, one
upon the throat and one upon the chest,
with the rapidity of thought.
You know who [ am p exclaime
Prince Sontko, who had dealt these foul
blows, and he hastened away leaving
the faintinG Ghika upon the ground.
He had been taken entirely unpre-
pared and unawares nor had he any
idea what could have freshly aroused
the animosity of the man who had at
tackled him in so brutal a manner. It
was all a mystery.
His servants bore him to his room,
where for hours he raised blood from
his throat and lungs nor could his
physician stop the exhausting flow until
the subsequent morning. After a ew
hours of quiet sleep the prince sent for
one of his most attached friends. The
story was soon told, and amid the cir
Gle in which he lived, and in accordance
with the code of honor in which he had
been educated, there was but one course
for him to pursue. No explanation was
asked for, and none would have been
given in any instance by the vindictive
aggressor.
81 must challenge him at once,' said
the Prince to his friend, and therefore
I have sent for you, on whom I know I
can rely"
"There is no other course open to
you," replied his friend, though Sont-
ko is noted dt.elist, and you mon
Prince, you are no master of weapons.
True.
"He will have the choice, being the
challenged party, !" continued the anx-
ious friend.
"Of course"
And if he chooses small swords you
have not the shadow of a chance.
50 know it,"
"Then I shall insist, first, last, and
all the while, upon pistols. That will
afford you some small chance for your
life
"As you choose" said the young
Prince, who was quite weak from the
loss of blood attendant upon the brutal
attack of Prince Sontko.
90 Would to heaven 1 could fight this
duel for you," continued his friend.
't You are not fit to go out, and yet I
dare not advise you otherwise"
Don't worry, my good friend.
"Ay, but I must worry; I cannot
take it as calmly as you do. I burn in
every vein to avenge your insult.
The seconds of the two parties met,
and after the usual formula it was set
tied that pistols should be the weapons
and the distance twenty PAGES the
meeting to take place on the following
day. Prince Ghika passed the after
noon in arranging his affairs, for he was
well satisfied as to the manner in which
the encounter with his experienced ad-
versary must terminate. He wrote a
long and tender letter to her whom he
dared not visit on the eve of such event.
He forgot no one at this trying moment,
writing to his brothers at Bucharest,
and in his bestowals kindly remembered
his many and faithful friends.
All finished at last, he retired to rest,
and slept peacefully as an infant until
his friend came to awake him in the
morning.
s. You have slept well ?"
ss Without dreaJn
'fGood % said his friend "your
nerves will be steadier.'
But he omitted to mention that he
had not been able himself to close his
eyes.
"And you, my good friend ?" asked
the Prince.
"Oh, I'm well enough, /" was the care
answer.
t' Bear me Witness" said the Prince,
Sc that I have in no way provoked this
bitter insult, this brutal attack. shall
defend my life because believe it TO
be my duty, but yet would not have
Prince Sontko's blood upon my hands.
I shall not aim at any vital part, remem-
Der that, for he IS actuated by some
mad freak, I know not what.
Let happen what may, no blame
rests upon you, said his friend.
sc trust not.
"Wheel and fire instantly at the
word IL is vo1Ir only chance You need