The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-12-01

He had arrived before me, and was al
, ready writing when l entered his room
"Of course" he said as he saw me, an,
came toward me with both hands out
stretched, "you, my dear friend, will
assist me. 1t is impossible to do any
thing but fight. Even Alice could no
make me alter my conviction upon tina
point, the insult was so public"
Suppose you leave the country"
suggested.
Then l should have to give up tn
appointment and Alice too. No, m
dear fellow, am a Frenchman, and
must fight; and you must arrange mat
tiers for me. If he shoots me, it canno
be helped; if shoot him, shall hav,
shot the biggest scoundrel in Paris.
beg you to call upon Laroquiere tonight
| have already discovered his address
Here it is"
&C But must you really fight? 1t il
suicide to fight with professional duel
ist."
"Ah," he said, shaking his head. az
am afraid it is suicide; but must fight
so please don't try and persuade me that
l need not. And l will fight, too, as
soon as possible. You can arrange
everything for tomorrow morning.
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 other
course open to me than to do as he
wished.
" If Monsieur came from NJ. Paul Fer.
rand, said man-servant when l in
quired whether could see his master,
M. Laroquiere has sent to say that he
has not yet left the opera. He has, how
ever, sent this pencilled note, which l am
to give to the gentleman who comes from
NJ. Ferrand."
tore open the missive. 1t contained
two cards, one bearing the name of the
duelist, and the second that of NJ. Fer
nand Delaraie, Rue Vivienne IS. Ger
tainly it was an off-hand way of &C
quainting me with the name and where
abouts of Laroquiere's second; but as l
wished to pick no quarrel, walked on
to the Rue Vivienne, and in few min
utes was ushered into the presence of NJ.
Delaraie himself. This worthy was a
young man, aged about three and TWEEN
ty, and dressed in the very extreme of
fashion. His rutfles were immaculate,
and most symmetrically arranged; his
lace handkerchief was stepped in es-
sences; his gloves, which lay on the ia
ble-for he had only just returned, at
Laroquiere's request, from the opera
were small and delicate his fingers were
covered with valuable rings, and the
bunch of gold seals depending from his
fob was unusually heavy and brilliant.
lie did not strike me as appearing par
tlcularly warlike; but nevertheless, after
formally saluting me, he at once touched
upon the object of my visit; and before
l had been ten minutes in his company,
had arranged to meet Ferrand and my
self at certain spot, dear to duelists of |
the time, at an early hour next morning,
and to bring Laroquiere with him.
" don't think we shall need surgeon" |
he said to me quite affably at parting:
-" but, if you please, you can bring one.
In his last affair my principal shot his
man through the temples, and he died
Immediately. l sincerely hope, Mon.
sieur that your friend is as clever"
self as left the house and sought the
residence of my own medical man. 81
am afraid poor Ferrand is not such aeon
summate murderer as Laroquiere."
After seeing the surgeon, to whom |
briefly explained matters, called upon
Mrs. Rae She was doing her best to
comfort her daughter, who was in the
greatest possible distress. care they
going to tight?" she asked me.
My dear Alice" said, "they are.
Ihave done my best to dissuade Paul; but |
he says, and l am obliged to agree, that
he must fight. Let US hope for the best.
He has a sure eye and steady hand,
and he has right on his side. The other
man is scoundrel. And you must re-
member that poor Paul is not an English
man. If were he, would not fight;
but as it is, the matter cannot be over
looked, and indeed everything is ar
ranged"
"You are to be with him?" said Mrs.
Rea, looking as white as sheet.
Yes; they are to meet tomorrow
morning, and by breakfast-time Alices
suspense will be over. She must bear
up"
You must prevent the duel" sobbed
the half heart-broken girl. "Cannot
Paul let the insult passs But no; it was
SO public"
You can only hope" I said. 81 will
see you in the morning; but now must
go back to him, and see that he gets
some sleep"
"Tell him." cried Alice, "that if he
gets killed l shall die. Come here di-
rectly it is over. Come even if he falls;
you must tell me about it. must hear
everything" She buried her face in her
hands; and l, escaping from the unhap-
DIV girl, hurried to Paul.
He was still writing, and his hair was
in disorder, and his face pale when he
turned toward me. 81 am no coward"
he said, "but l am saying good-by to
her, for shall die tomorrow"
"My dear fellow" exclaimed, "you
will shoot Laroquiere, and be married
next month. You must finish your writ
ing at once and 60 to bed. will sleep
here tonight, for l must see that you
turn out in time tomorrow morning; so
be as quick as possible"
He wrote for another half-hour, ad-
dressed the document TO Alice Rea,
nlaced a lOck of his hair within IT, and