The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-10-27

IL W u6s
"Give that to her," he said, "if Laroquiere
Kills me outright-and II know he will. If
it not were for Alice, I declare that 1
should be quite glad to meet him. Now for
bed"
He undressed, whilst lay down on sofa
in the next room and lit cigar, for could
not afford to sleep myself. Soon all was
quiet, and stole in to see Paul lying as quiet
as child with smile on his face. Probably
nay, assuredly, passed more uncomforta-
BILE night than he did. Only with the great
est possible difficulty could keep awake !;
and the hours seemed to linger forever. At
Ferrand, who woke refreshed and in compar-
atively good spirits. After hurried break
fast we mufied ourselves up; I placed a
flask of brandy, some powder and bullets,
and brace of pistols in my pockets, and we
sailed forth in the cold morning air. Scarce
| ly any one was abroad, except few sleepy
watchmeD, who seemed to make very shrewd
guesses at the object of our expedition; and
through the silent streets we went for mile
or so, until we reached the meeting-place.
Laroquiere and Dearaie were there before
us. and my friend the surgeon arrived imme-
diately afterwards in his carriage, which
waited near at hand. The pistols were pro-
duced and loaded. Laroquiere chose one
and gave the other to Paul and then the
two men took up positions at distance of
twenty PAGES from each other, and waited for
Delaraie to give the signal to fire.
"Stayp cried the bully as his second
stepped back; ''let the young hound listen to
this. I am not triflng with him; 1 shall
shoot him only where he wishes, for am
generous, parbleuw
''IfI do not kill you," said Paul quietly, 81
prefer to die"
''Then shoot him through the heart"
ceoly remarked Laroquiere." 1t will teach
others not to challenge me-"
There was something to me unspeakably
horrible in the way in which these last words
were pronounced. 1 shuddered and looked
at Paul. He smiled and looked at me and
at the same instant Delaraie gave the sig
nal.
There was but one report, for Ferrand's
pistol flashed in the pan. The poor fellow
| pale face, and with the name of Alice on his
| lips, fell dead. Laroquiere turned on his
heel and departed quickly in company with
Delaraie, while aided the surgeon in his
brief examination of PauPs body. Surely
enough the bullet had passed through his
heart. He must have died almost instanta-
peously, for he did not move after he fell and
the last smile with which he had looked at
me was still upon his face. 1t was melon
choly business in every respect. I had to
break the sad news to Alice and her mother
and the two ladies were so terribly overcome,
that feared the shock would have some per-
manent effect upon their health. For my
part l was obliged to hurry to England as
soon as possible; and Laroquere, heard,
also got away. and remained out of France
until the affair had blown over.
kept up a correspondence with Mrs. Rae,
and was glad after time to hear from her
that Alice, though still terribly upset, had
learned to look with a certain amount
philosophy upon her misfortune and
had to some extent recovered her
usual health, if not her usual spirits.
Meantime settled down in London, and un-
able to forget my Partisan habits usually
dined at one of the then much frequented
taverns In Fleet street. The Cheshire
Cheese, which was then in much the same
state that 1t is now, was my favorite haunt;
and there as months passed by gradually
picked up few pleasant acquaiDtances,
chief amongst whom was an extremely we'll
hammered young gentleman named Barton,
man of independent means, good family
and first rate education.
One day after he had been dining with me,
the conversation turned upon continental
manners and particularly upon duelling. As
an illustration of my adherence of the sys.
tenn told my companion about poor Paul's
death, a matter in which Barton appeared
much interested. He asked me a good
many questions about the parties concerned,
and after expressing a remarkably strong
opinion to the effect that Laroquiere was
blackguard, bid me good night. I went
home to my rooms in the Temple; and next
day, on visiting the Cheshire Cheese, found
no Barton. He had left word with one of the
walters that urgent business had called him
away, but that he hoped to see nae on his
return. Weeks passed and then months and
still Barton did not come back; and confess
that had begun to forget him altogether,
when one evening he dropped in to dinner as
though he had not been absent for more than
day or two.
'Where have you been?' I asked after
had heartily shaken hands with him.
81 have been to Paris" he said son
arriving there I found out little more than
you told me about Laroquiere, and when
had thoroughly convinced myself that he was
the blackguard you painted him arranged
for series OF lessons at pistol-gallery.
Every day for month I went and shot for
an hour or two, until was so perfect as to
be able to hit small coin every tin1es at
distance of twenty PAGES. After satisfying
myself as to my proficiency, took box at
the opera; it may have been the same box
that you used to have. Laroquiere was
OAe
between the acts he left his seat in order to
speak to lady in another part of the house.
l descended as quickly as possible and took
his place. He returned and asked nae in an
overbearing tone to move. refused. He
persisted. struck him. He sent me
challenge, and we met upon the same spot
curiously enough, where he had killed your
friend Ferrand. Before the signal was given,
l said: M. Laroquiere, listen to me. I am
not here to trife with you; but am as gen.
erous as you were with Paul Ferrand. I
turned deadly pale. we will see,' he said,
whether shall not make you second Fer
rand! Then will shoot you,' returned,
'as you shot him-through the heart. It
will teach other bullies not to challenge me-
Whether he was so upset as to be incapable
OF aiming or not, l cannot say; but, my dear
fellow, shot him as dead as dog, right
through the heart, and avenged your friend,
at the same ime Riding Paris of its biggest
villain. 1t was case of diamond cut dia-
mond."
'Well done, Bartonp' I exclaimed.
WATT" he said, land let me flush the
drama. We managed to keep the matter
very quiet; and before leaving France I was
able to call on Mrs. Rae, who is now at Bou-
logne, for had letter of introduction to
her from Partisan acquaintance. When 1
saw her first, she knew nothing of the affair,
but at last broke the intelligence to her and
her daughter. 1 found Alice to be pretty
girl, somewhat spoilt by her long mourning,
and not very much inclined to listen to me;
but, my dear fellow, after three weeks of
hard persuasion, she gave in, and now she
ana ner mother are coming over next week.
believe you were to give Alice away.
When she arrives you shall have capital
opportunity"
"And," added, shaking my friends
hand warmly, II shall be delighted to do