The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-12-14

and he had left his opera glasses on the
chair in order to preserve his right tc
it; but during his absence tall. mill
tary looking man had appropriated il
and had coolly put the glasses on one
side. Paul approached the stranger
with the utmost politeness, and 1 sup
pose-for naturally could not hear
requested him to move. The interlopeI
did not deign to answer, butsneeringly
looked up at Ferrand, as though to ask
him what he meant by his intrusion.
Paul pointed to the opera glasses; but
the stranger neither replied nor moved
but continued to appear as though he
did not hear. saw that matters were
assuming dangerous complexion, fol
IN the new conner / recognized Victor
Laroquiere, an ex-Bonapartist officpr
like Paul, a notorious bully, and one
of the most celebrated duelists in
France. But what could 1 do? | could
only sit still, much against my will, and
witness the inevitable conseqsences, /
thought Alice would faint ~hen La
oquiere in the calmest way rose before
the crowded assemblage and struck
Paul in the face with his glove; but
she recovered herself, and like a statue
watched her lover pick up his opera
glasses, bow to his insulter, AID with
out a word, leave the building. There
were some eIclamations from the su-
dience; but the duelist again rose, and
with a theatrical air gazad round,
mockingly initiating Paul's parting
bow, and resumed his seat. This Was
too much for poor Alice. She could
not remain any longer; she must go
home; and so, with some Difficult y,
got her mother to my carriage, told the
coachman to drive them home, and
myself walked quickly to Paul's lodg
ings.
He had arrived before me, and was
already writing when 1 entered his
room. "Of course, he said, as he saw
me, and came toward me with both
hands outstretched, ''you, my dear
friend, will assist ME. 1t is impossible
to do anything but fight. Even Alice
could not make Inc alter my convic-
ton upon that point, the insult was SO
public"
Suppose you leave the countryT 1
suggested.
"Then should have to give up the
appointment and Alice too. No, my
dear fello v, l am a French nan, and /
must fight; and you must arrange nat
ters tor me. If he shoots me, it can
not be helped; if 1 shoot him, shall
have shot the biggest scoundrel in
Paris. beg you to call upon Laro-
quiere to night. Ihave already discov-
cred bis address. Here it is"
"But must you really fight2 1t is sui
eide to fight with a professional duel
ist."
"Ah." he said, shaking his head, ~
am afraid tits suicide; but / must fight;
so please don't try and persuade lue
that need not. And will fight too,
as soon as possible. You can arrange
everything for tomorrow morning. l
must have the matter over. In day
or two might be coward"
By his looks he implored me to go to
Laroquiere; and constituted as French
society was at that time, had no 9th
er course open to me than to do as
be wished.
IF monsieur came from NJ. Paul
Ferrand, " said a man servant when
inquired whether could see his mas
ter, "M. Laroquiere has sent to say that
he has not yet left the opera. He has,
however, sent this penciled note, which
l am to give to the gentleman who
coEi 5 from M. Ferrand.
tore open the missive. II cou'ai..
ed two cards, one bearing the name "f
the duelist, and the secoLd that of N.
Ferrand Delaraie, Rue YivienDe Is.
Certainly it was an off hand way of &C
quainting me with the name and
whereabouts of Laroquiere's second I;
but as wished to pick no quarrel. l
walked to the Rue Vivienne, and in a
few minutes was ushered into the pres
ence of III. Delarie himself. This
worthy was young man, aged about
three and twenty, and dressed in the
very extreme of fashion. His ruffles
were immaculate, and most symmet
rically arranged; his lace handkerchief
was stepped in essence; his gloves,
which lay on the table for he had only
just returned, at Laroouiere's request
from the opera--were small and deli
cate bis fingers Were covered with val
pa BILE rings, and the bunch of gold
seals depending from bis fob was un
usually heavy and brilliant. He did
not strike me as appearing particularly
war-like; but nevertheless after form
ally saluting me, he at once touched
upon the object of my visit; and be
fore / had been ten minutes in his
company, had arranged with him to
meet Ferrand and myself at a certain
spot dear to duelists of the time, at an
early hour next morning, and to bring
Laroquiere with him.
Il don't think we shall need a surg
con-" he said to me quite affably at
parting; ''but if you please, you IN
bring one. In his last affair my princi
pal shot his man through the temples,
and he died immediately. l sincerely
hope, monsieur, that your friend is as
eleven"
''Confound the fellow." | said to
myself as left the house and sought
the residence Of my own medical man.
II am afraid poor Ferrand is not such
a consummate murderer as Laroqui-
ere."
After seeing the surgeon, to whom
briefly explained matters, l called
upon Mrs. Rae. She was doing her
best to comfort her daughter, who was
10 the greatest possible distress. "Are
they going to fight r. she asked me.
MY dear Alice" / said, "they are
have done my best to dissuade Paul;
but he says, and / am obliged to agree,
he must fight. Let us hope for the