The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-02

,ANSN>> 49, y -.
were situated, that Mile Montbaisson, the
only daughter Of Count Jannoy de Mont
baisson, and very charming girl. was :
disselutc woman, and that few weeks
ago she had given birth to an Legitimate
child, whose father was : peasant lad.
When this assertion, which appears to
have been wanton calumny, reached
the ears Of the Montbaisson, the eldest
son Of Count Sannoy, Martin Louis, way.
laid the hated slanderer on the public
promenade of Tours, and, when face to
face with him, he spat upon his coat. A
great many persons, among them some OF
the foremost citizens Of Tours, witnessed
| the scene. Veronin de Precy staggered
back. deadly pale, under the degrading
! insult. :
'trhat is for the Cur that has been lying
about my sister," Kissed out Martin
Louis de Nontbaisson, with flashing eyes.
by my patron saint, cowardly Mont
baisson q cried Precy drawing his
for this outraged"
Montbaisson, Though somewhat young
er than his antagonist, was much strong
or man. He seemed to have expected
that Prccy would draw his sword on him.
Quick as lightning he drew from his bo-
som a small whip. Selling Precy's COL
lar. he struck him repeatedly in the face
with the whip, before Precy was able to
use his sword. Then he wrested the
weapon from Prccy's hand and broke it
to pieces.
| At this moment two policemen appe ar
ed and put an end to the scene.
AS they were holding the Two infuria.
ted adversaries, they hurled oil sorts of
invectives at each other.
"Ah Monsieur de Prccy, my whip has
marked you for life. The house of Prccy
has forgotten how to make sword :"
cried Montbiasson.
"Ha - replied PrecY, foaming with
rage, you shall pay for this, brother
brat p
The officers took them before the Lieu
tenant of Police, but that dignitary did
not venture even to censure the two young
noblemen. He extracted from them
only the promise not to commit any fur
Their violence on the territory of the city.
| They then returned to their homes.
At Castle Prccy the old Baron and his
sons concurred in Veronin's determination
to send
| A CHALLENGE TO MORTAL COMBAT
to Martin Louis de Montbaisson.
AT the castle of the latter's father
there was great rejoicing because of the
punishment Martin Louis had admins
tered to Precy. His mother and sister
embraced him.
"Martin Louis,' sobbed the fair Ma.
thilde, as she was hanging on his neck,
t'you have avenged me upon my coward
ly slanderer-you the noblest Of my bro
thers.''
"The family were still assembled in the
large sittiDg'room at castle Montbaisson,
when the Marquis dc Cauchet, young
nobleman living in the neighborhood, was
ushered in. His face was very grave as
he bowed and said
81 desire to have private interview
with Martin Louis de Montbaisson.'
''Do you wish to see ME on your own
behalf. Monsieur Cauchet o. demanded
Martin Louis.
''No Monsieur replied the Marquis;
II come to you as the bearer of mes
sage from Veronin de Prccy.'' :.,
"Ah, ali 2 exclaimed Martin ~ Louis,
while the other members of the family
bent glances Of intense suspense upon, the
visitor. "Monsieur de Cauchet you can
deliver your message here. I am de,
sirous that my family should hear it,
| The Marquis hesitated.
my message he said at last, lis one
that is hardly fit for the ears of tender
ladies' /:
"We are ready for it, said. the old
! Countess, haughtily.
| "Speak 70 said the old Count and his
eldest son, with one accord.
swell, then,' replied the Marquis. 81
| come here to challenge you, Martin Lou
is. to fight mortal duel with Veronin de
Precy, without any witnesses, and the
combat not to cease till one or the other
is dead. Do you except heschallenge 2"
II do - exclaimed Martin Louis un-
hesitatingly.
When will you meet Monsieur de Pre-.
cy?''
"To.morrow-at daybreak.''
tAnd where Will the grove of wal.
nut trees on the highway to Tours, which
is well known to you be convenient p
Perfectly so.''
"What arms do you choose?''
Martin Louis reflected a moment; then
he said disdainfully:
81 should like best to meet your friend
with the same weapon with which pun
ished him this morning. But let it be
swords