The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-21
III.

1t has been said that old M. Renot, the
rabbit-skin seller, was meek man, but
it didn't make him insensible to personal
glory. He was much fattered by the
Iaudatory terms in which Pascal Ledoux
had spoken Of his nephew, Marius Bou-
geard, and his heart warmed towards the
castaway, whom he had never till then
befriended in any way. The notary,
Grugy, his other heir, heard this, and
took alarm. He began collecting proofs
of Marius's past iniq uities-the debts he
had contracted and left unpaid, the
many pranks and follies he had commit
ted, etc, and heproceeded to send anony.
nous letters daily to old M. Benot, warn
ing him of what graceless scamp his
nephew was. Old Bepot did not alto
gether credit these communications, but
they ended in making him uncomforta-
bic. HE went to Notary Marsault,
whom lie found closeted with Pascal Le-
doux, and he laid before them the heap
of paper he had received.
"Those are from GrugyW exclaimed
Marsault at once. "He has disguised
his:hand; but know it, all the same"
ut is very base of him to traduce Mar.
ius in this way" grumbled old Benot;
"but used to thing Grugy such truth
full man. Are you sure there is no war
ranty for these accusations Of his?'
"Would you believe an enviou:
rogue who is simply afraid that you will
disinherit him? If 1 were ten years
younger l would 60 and tweak Grugy by
3 the nose, and force him to retract these
uamanly accusations against my pro-
tege, or else l would oolige him to come
! out and fight me-"
81 will take this course" calculated
Pascal Ledoux, stoutly "After all
have said in Martins favor, l consider
tee poor fellow in some sense under my
protection until he comes back to France
and can take care Of himself. I'll 90 and
see Grugy this minute"
| "Don't be too rashp' exclaimed M
Marsault; though he was delighted to see
Pascal act with such spirit, because
be saw what good effect.it produced or
old Benot's mind.
Pascal Ledoux was about thirty years
old, and Notary Grugy was forty, SO that
there was no such disproportion between
theirMges as made it impossible thai
they should meet in duel. Grugy, though
no lion, was the first to propose morta
combat; for he was exasperated 10 think
/ that old Benot's fortune was slipping
out Of his reach, and he accused Ledou1
OF being the chief author Of his troubles
Ledoux, on paying his visit, had expect
ed to encounter timid. coEscious-strick
en- person, whom he could browbeat; h,
found defiant churl, who snarled like .
bulldog: 81
"Yes, did send those anonymous let
ters," barked he; "what Of it? If yor
feel offended, send me your two seconds
and we'll fight till one of us falls"
"AIl right" said Ledoux; "rll taxi
you at your word. You and other
must be taught that the man who insult
Marius Bougeard puts q deadly aaron
on me-"
"If that's the case, you had better pa!
your friends debt; that will be the frs
step toward whitewashing his reputation
Good morning, now, and send me you
secondsas soon % you like"
1t was arranged, by and by that tn
two champions sheuld meet at eigh
o'clock on. the following day, with phi
tolls. In the meantime, Ledoux reflect
ed that Marius Bougeards debts ough