The Portland daily press., 1881-05-07

their light with that of the moon, and the
faces of the statues looked through the
opening in the trees with "a stony glare.
Every one was in the best spirits, and the
Marquis de Bahane was slipping a tall glass
OF champagne. Suddenly he rose, and,
leaning with his white jeweled hands upon
the table, looked round at his guests. There
was a silence. Some expected it was TO an
nounce coming masquerade in the moon
light, some to invite them to another ftte.
"Mcsseurs," and the calm. quiet voice
was heard everywhere u the perfect still
ness, ''there is one who is both a liar and
coward among u.s."
The guests moved suddenly--there was a
crash Of falling glasses.
'Chere is one who has accepted my hos
pitality, and who has twice attempted my
life. it's doubtless pleasing way Of show
ing friendship; but, Monsieur de Laange,
permit me to observe that to act and to
speak the lie as we'll is not such perfect good
taste as it might be-"
"Monseigneur, for this will have salts
factionw And De Lalange sprang to his
feet, overturning the table before him.
81 am delighted that Monsieur has chal-
lenged me-" and the Marquis slipped his
glass. SIT is my right to have choice of
time, choice of place and choice of weapon.
! have some little affairs to settle first, so
Monsieur De Lalange, shall meet you at
the hour of in the morning by the Trum-
pet inn, on your estate, on the seventh day
from this.'' And the host sat down and
coolly went on with his supper.
The mornings sun was pouring in through
the windows of the chapel of Haiginere. 1t
played upon the gold cloth robe of the Vir-
gin, and the great brass crucifx OH the altar
shimmered in the light. The scent of the
late roses placed on the altar filled the little
chapel with sweetness. There had been
marriage ceremony, and the old priest had
| closed his book and was kneeling in silent
prayer. Then all rose.
'Dear JEAN said the young girl, and the
fair hand rested upon her husbands Shout
der, while the sunlight kissed the light tress-
es, sit is sad to think that we thus have to
turned round to gaze upon the bright green
hills and woods, where the leaves were mel
| lowing to an autumn tint. "But what mat
tiers it? we shall be together, and your father
can come to us quite often. And better
times will come, when we can return"
''It is time to leave" said the old priest.
'When the Marquis left me he gave me the
ring you had sent to him aud said: by tok-
en- of this he must not fail to be at the inn
at the appointed timc.'"
They stepped into the carriage, and the
tinkling bells of the chapel sounded over
the still landscape. ,,a
In the wood Of Haigniere the bark of the
birch trees was glistening like FURNISHED sill
yer. Each yellow fallen leaf upon the soft
short grass was as a topaz set in velvet
ground. The fresh rich brown of the hazel
stems showed itself through the under
growth, and from the tangled briars the
drops of dew were falling. Leaning against
.one of the birch trees was the Marquis de
Bahaine. He wore a light gray riding coat
and heavy boots. He had been taking no.
tice of the scene around, and sometimes
turned his eyes to the blue sky, that smiled
through the openings in browning branches.
"'Tis pleasant place, che said to his
second. 8" tits a pleasant world. like this
better than my close-cut gardens of Ba-
haine''
Monsieur de Lalange is coming up the
PATH" said his companion.
SIT is well" was the answer. And the
marquis, by his aid, took off his heavy coat
and flung it on the ground. Then as his
adversary came nearer, he first raised his
hat to bow and then threw it in among the
bushes. De Lalange looked at him with a
glance of hatred. He only smiled in return.
They chose their swords, and each man
stood silent for few seconds.
"BefOre the fight proceeds, sir,'' said the
marquis, s'let me tell you, if it be any sat
isfaction now to know it, that fight not
for any injury you may have done myself,
but for your persecution of the De Mochri-
warts"
"They will yet be in my power,' answer
ed his enemy, "unless fall, and then my
curse be upon you and them"
They were about to salute, and had begun
to raise their weapons when the sound of
the bells of Haigniere came through the
wood.
'"Tis the signal that my young friends
are united in happy marriage. A duel to
such merry music is rather a novelty" And
De Bahaine laughed.
Then the other stamped his foot with
rage, and the swords crossed A minute
had not passed when the sword of the mar
qus had pierced the body of his false friend
He fell, but tried to raise himself
''De Bahaine," he said, with a CHASTITY
smile, you have been perhaps right. Be-
fore die give me your hand that 1 may
make my peace
The Marquis walked up and bent down
weapon still in hand, shortened it, and, un-
seen by the other, drove it into his body.
Then he fell back-dead.
| The Marquis pressed his hand convulsiye-
ly to his side. sThe sconndrell he has fin.
ished me-" he gasped. But take me to the
little inn near by. can live as long as
wish for.'
y =
A carriage stopped at the Trumpet Inn
and a young lady and gentleman descended
and walked into the small hostelry. Upon
the black brick floor lay the dying De BAHIA.
inc The sunlight played upon his pallid
face. and he was trying to smile upon his
second. who was holding his hand weeping
silently.
"My dear Charles" he was saying, with a
faint voice do not weep for me.
have died doing the only piece of good
have ever done. You will make far better
lord than ever did. One little favor ask
Be kinder lord to the wretched than most
of us have been to the old peasants on the
old land" Then he raised his eyes as he
saw De Mochrivart and his wife had en-
tered, "Ah! my young friends" he added
sail will be well with you. I have staid De
Lalange from ever harming you. You can
return to live at Haigniere in safety. That
ring was faithful token was it not, my dear
captain? Take the other from this hand, as
a wedding gift to your pretty wife. Grieve
not. either, that am gone" Then his
voice grew faint. SIT is pleasant, after all
to die. am weary of almost everything
Then he lightly raised his head. "Those
bells have a sweet sound,o said he, and
smiling family, he fell back.'' X
"And you have worn those rings, both OF
you, all your lives?' said young man in
the green uniform of the Imperial Guard OF
Napoleon, to an old lady and gentleman
who were sitting in the garden of the Chat
eau Haigniere.
eyes, grandson, he was true gentle
man, though great noble, who gave them
to u.s.
''But France has never known such he
roes as those who fought under the Emser.
up with grand air.
''Ah. grandson mine," said the other,
shaking his snowy head, ''there were heroes
too, in the old regime"
Parley-Vooing Financiers.