The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-06-07
CHAPTER III.

!
CHAPTER III.
!, Winter was over. 1t was the montl
: of March. had been forced to accept
crowd of invitations, and for the first tim
since l knew Stachovitch several day
had passed without my seeing him.
One day, as l was on my way home
about eleven o'clock i'll the evening,
found myself before his door. Seeing ;
light burning in his room, / went up
stairs and found linn busy writing
Very glad to see you," said he coming
to meet me. Il have something want
you 10 do tor me-"
lie asked me to sit down, and took a
chair opposite to me. then perceived
that he was greatly agitated.
@What has happened?' said 1.
Stachovitch rose, and began walking
rapidly up and down the room. Sud
denly lie stopped before me, and asked
me pointblank the question:
"Am a coward?"
"Most certainly not" I said. What
do you mean by asking me?r
81 have been insulted-grossly in
suited; and it is impossible for me to
fight the man who has insulted me-"
"Humphl That's a pity. There are
people of course who won't fight on
principle. With some men it is matter
of conscience-a matter of taste. can
not be argued about; only"
"You mistake" cried Stachovitch eag-
erly, Il have fought several duels, and |
may fight more. But it was Drieux who
insuIted me"
What matter who it was" said l,
"Drieux or another"
Il cannot fight him"
"Why not?"
Il can't. fought not" He spoke with
great excitement. ...
my dear fellow" said /, rising, Il am
at your service with all my heart, ON one
condition however. 1t is that you will
be pleased not to talk in riddles,and that
you will tell me clearly what has taken
place"
"Drieux insulted me-"
That's the third time you have said
So"
81 ought 20 ask satisfaction"
sThat is what We must see about pres
emily, when you have been so good as to
tell me all the particulars. Drieux is a
man of honor He will not refuse you
any satisfaction that you have right to
demand"
"But cannot fight him"
Here | began to lose patience.
Ill come back TO morrow morning"
| said. 81 hope you will then be calm
enough to explain yourself Good even
ing"
NO. stay. Pray stay. Don't leave me.
Help me-"
well, then,I will remain. Calm your
self Give me light. Thank you. Do
me the favor to light your own cigarette
Very well. Are you ready? Now tell
me why you cannot fight Drieux"
He looked at me fixedly. His eyes,
which were unnaturally wide open, had
IN Undesirable expression of horror.
"Because do not choose to be his
murderer" he replied slowly at last,
pausing on the syIlables of every word.
"You are more and more mysterious
Because it is quite certain | shall kill
him if fight him.
| shrugged my shoulders, and gave
unequivieal signs of impatience.
Never mind ABOUT tnar, 1 said cross
ly, eve will talk about that by-and by.
Tell me now everything that passed.
Till know all l do not see how | can
help you"
The story that Stachovitch at last de-
cided to impart 10 me was very simple.
For some time past the intimacy between
himself and Drieux had cooled. Rivals
in loveand each jealous of the other they
took small pleasure in meeting four or
five times a week in the srlOn Of Madame
de Baudry. The Yicomte at last asked
Marie's hand; he was refused, and came
no more TO his aunt's house. His self
love suffered quite as much as anything
else from his disappointment. He was
ill tempered with every one, and espe
cially with S.achovitch. He still bowed
to him very stiffly, but that was all. The
young Russian was constantly expecting
a quarrel with him, and tried to keep
out of his way. That afternoon he had
met him at the fencing-gallery. There
Drieux had abruptly asked him if he
would do him the honor to cross swords
with him.
Il refused" continued Stachovitch,
aand am certain / refused with the ut
most politeness. But Drieux would not
give the matter up. He was evidently
resolved to pick quarrel with me. He
went on in such a way that / should
have been perfectly entitled to call him
to account, had | not been anxious above
everything to avoid a quarrel. Several
persons present tried to interfere. They
spoke to Drleux, blaming him for his
persistency, and reminding him that
everybody had long before agreed to
put up with the apparently capricious
selection was accustomed to make Of
INV opponents; that it had been agreed
that no one should be offended if re-
fused to fence with him and that Drieux,
by acting otherwise, seemed to reflect on
others. But Drieux would not give up
his point; he raised his voice, and ad
dressed me in such a way that was
forced at last to ask him to explain him
self or to take back what he had said.
he then laughed and went on to say
that his words were plain enough al
ready, that he should not take them
back; that 1 might either put up with
them, or ask for satisfaction. That's how
the affair stands. Now how do you ad-
wise me?"
Ireplied that the first thing to be done
was to try every means Of conciliation.
Il will go and see Drieux tomorrow
morning" / said @He may be wiser
when he has slept upon it. Twill point
out to him that he is only doing himself
an injury by pushing the matter to ex-
tremiies. Don't worry yourself mean