The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-08-02

your valor holds till morning, L IL
give you a chance TO prove it."
very well. sir. Understand this
goes to the bitter end. | will re-
ceive no apology-not the most ab-
lect one.n
NO apology will be offered you"
Then Duval flung his hat on his
head, united his horse, and rode
rapidly up the street. He went, in
fact, to John Winthrop to ask him
to make the proper arrangements
for a meeting between Fontaine and
himself the next day. After lit
tie persusion, John agreed to do so;
but ere Duval left, Fontaine tapped
smartly at Johns door, and made
the same request. The two oppo-
nents bowed to each other, but left
all speech to John, who, in truth,
seemed admirably adapted for the
part he found himself almost oblig-
ed to play.
He tried first to effect a reconcila-
ton, but, finding that impossible.
made the strange opposition that he
should act as second for both. Gen
tlemen," he said, with a winning
courtesy, you are both equally my
friends, and l am honestly disposed
to do equal justice TO each. Fix on
some place and hour, and | will
bring my friend Dr. Allen and see
everything as pleasantly and honor
ably settled as possible" D"
Both Duval and Fontaine bowed
to this proposal. Perhaps neither
of them was in heart as blood thirs-
ty as he pretended, and peaceably
inclined second has a great deal in
his power. So little wood about
two miles out of town was fixed up
on, and sunset the following day
was the fated hour. John had in
sisted on this delay, partly he said,
because he still hoped the principals
might change their minds, and part
ly because it would allay any suspi-
cion which their quarrel and late
visit to himself might arouse.
So both Duval and Fontaine were
at their usual desks in the morning,
and their evening horseback ride
was so common and natural that no
one attached any unusual meaning
to it.
Both men arrived at the designa-
ted spot by different roads, but with
in two minutes of each other. Du-
val bowed, leaned against a tree and
smoked what might be his last ci-
gar. Fontain paced .nervously up
and down, waiting with great impa-
tience Johns arrival with the APP
pointed weapons, which both men /
had intrusted to him. The sun set |
The little wood got darker and !
darker-so dark at last that Duval's I
cigar made distinct glow. Still, |
John did not come.
Neither liked to make the first re-
mark, yet it was evident that for
some cause or other their wounded |
honor would have to endure anoth-
er twelve hours wrong. Yet Duval |
was just lighting another cigar when |
a little negro boy came running
through the wood.
"Done found you at last, Mas'r
jeff. Thought you'd done shooted
each pther for sure. Is been a-look
in all round var since sundown."
What have YOU come here for"
''Mass'r John Winthrop send desc
two letters-for sure he did, now"
Where is he?"
Done gone"
"Fontaine," said Duyal, will you
nave a match to read yours by?"
Thank you, Duval, | will"
So by the light of succession of
ucifers both gentlemen read the fol-
owing words:
My friend | am opposed TO duels on
principle; so is my dear bride. who hopes
'ou will both remember her too kindly 10
tain her name with your blood. Your lit .
lie foolish quarrel hurried our arrangements,
which had been made for a month later.
iou will see now the wisdom of the advice {
have always given you both. +
JOHN WINTHROP
There was moments dead ST. :
ence, then Duval said: "Fontaine,
We have no quarrel now; and if we ,
AVE, we have no weapons. Sup ,
'ose we go back to the hotel and ,
ave supper"