The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-11-07

AItef seeing tue surgeon, 10 WnOm L
briefly explained matters, called upon
Mrs. Rae. She was doing her best to
comfort her daughter, who was in the
greatest possible distress. "Are they
going to fght?'' she asked me.
"My dear Alice" said, "they are.
have done my best to dissuade Paul,
but he says, and am obliged to agree,
that he must fight. Let us hope for the
best. He has sure eye and a steady
hand, and he Ias right on his side. The
other man is scoundrel. And you
must remember that poor Paul is not an
Englishman. If were he, 1 would not
fight; but as it is, the matter cannot be
overlooked, and indeed everything is ar
ranged"
You are to be with him ?" said Mrs.
Rae, looking as white as a sheet.
Yes they are to meet tomorrow
morning, and by breakfast time Alice's
suspense will be over. She must bear
up"
" You must prevent the duel, sobbed
the half heart-broken girl. "Oannot
Paul let the insult pass2 But no, it was
so public"
"You can only hope" L said. "I
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 is
killed 1 shall die. Come here directly
it is over. Come even if he falls; you
must tell me about it. 1 must hear
everything" She buried her face in her
hands and 1, escaping from the un-
happy girl, hurried to Paul.
He was still writing, and his hair was
in disorder, and his face pale when he
turned towards me. CT am no coward, ;
he said, "but l am saying goodbye tc
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 go to bed. will sleer
here tonight, for must see that you
turn out in time tomorrow morning sc
be as quick as possible.
He wrote for another half hour, ad
dressed the document to Alice Rae
placed lock of his hair within it, ant
after sealing it up gave it to me.
"Give that to her." he said, if La
roquiere kills me outright-and L know
he will. If it were not for Alice 1 de
clare that should be quite glad to NEE
him. Now for bed."
He undressed, whilst 1 lay down OF
the sofa in the next room and lit cigar
for could not afford to sleep myself
Soon all was quiet, and stole in to Sc,
Paul, lying as quiet as a child, with
smile on his face. Probably, nay, as
suredly, passed a more uncomfortab bl,
night than he did, Only with the great
est possible difficulty could l keel
awake, and the hours seemed to liuge
for ever. At last, however, daylight
dawned; and called Fearand, who awokt
refreshed and in comparatively gooC
spirits. After hurried breakfast W,
mutied ourselves up, and sailed fortl
in the cold morning air. Scarcely an,
one was abroad, except few sleep,
watchmen, who seemed to make yer,
shrewed guesses at the object of our ex
pedition ; and through the silent street.
we went for mile or SO, until we reached
the meeting-place.
Laroquiere and Delarie were there be
fore lis, and my friend, the. surgeon, ar
rived Immediately afterwards in his car
riage, which waited near at hand. Th
pistols were produced and loaded. La
roquiere chose one, and 1 gave the othe
to Paul and then the two men took III
positions at a distance of twenty pace
from each other, and waited for Delarai
to give the signal to fire.
Stay !" cried the bully, as his secon,
stepped back; "let the young houn,
listen to this. 1 am not trifiing wit
him I shall shoot him only where h
wishes, for am generous, parbleu !"
eff I do not kill you," said Pau
quietly, 81 prefer to die"
"Then 1 shoot him through tn
heart" coolly observed Laroquiere
at will teach others not to challeng
me-"
There was something TO me unspeaka
bly, horrible in the way in which thes
last words were pronounced. 1 shud
dered, and looked at Paul. He smile
| at me, and at the same instant Delari
} gave the signal.
: There was but one report for Fel
rend's pistol flashed in the pan. Th
/ poor fellow turned round towards m
1 with fixed eye and pale face, and wit
the name of Alice on his lips fell dead
: Laroquiere turned ON his heel and d
t parted quickly, in company with d,