Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-03-09

CuanCSss Oiu ho ioaiiy thihh - Echtoiho
would win Imogene2
John said he knew very little OF
women, but he thought Fontaine would
not win Miss Imogene.
II is a comfort to have confidant,
and Duval frightened 80 much under
the process of pouring out his hopes to
John that Fontaine noticed the change,
and began to fear that his rival had
comfort and encouragement OF which
he did not know.
He was pondering this question very
gloomily one night when he met John
Winthrop. How it happened he never
could tell, but in fve minutes the two
men were talking Of Imogene, and
Fontaine had told John all his hopes
and fears with regard to her. John
listened with interest, and even en-
couraged the conversation, though he
tried TO moderate Fontaine's complaints
Of Duval
"For," said he, it is only right to
tell You that / am also DuvaPs conf
dant. | must say the affair is full OF
interest TO me, and can partly under
stand how il fills and colors all the
hours of your two lives. For me, tn ings
are different. II should fall in love,
! could not afford 70 lose either an
hours time or an hours sleep about
any woman"
In this way matters went on for some
weeks. John was the known confdant
of both men, post no. half as difficult
as it appears at first sight. For Fon-
taine often wanted to say something
about Duval he did not care to say to
DuvaTs face. He therefore made the
remark to John, hoping that he would
be his mouthpiece; and it is need.
less TO say that Duval followed the
same plan.
John smiled, and smoked, and listened,
and kept very quiet-a thing easy
enough to do, for both lovers only
cared to hear themselves complain.
That they kept up 80 long an appear
ance of friendship was entirely due to
Johns wise reticence, and his charitable
rendering OF such scraps OF conversa-
tion as he felt obliged to report.
But smoldering fire cannot always
be controlled, and one night, when
Imogene had been very naughty and
cross to both Duyal and Fontaine, they
unfortunately met on the piazza of
their hotel. Duval was despondent and
PROSTATE, Fontaine angry and scornful.
and Duval's air unconsciously irritated
him.
"How ill-tempered Miss Imogene
was to night r. he said, fretiully, Hinging
his half-smoked cigar into the street.
Miss Imogenc is never ill-temp.
cred" answered Duval, warmly. II will
not allow you to say such a thing"
"You won't allow me Understand
l shall say what l choose about that
lady. do not recognize your right to
defend her."
"Nor yours to blame her"
Perhaps have more right than you
know Of"
That's a lying insinuation; you are
no gentleman to make it."
"Do you dare to say it is 4 lie7"
"Yes, don't mind saying it is a
solid lie."
"You know the consequences of that
speech suppose ?"
81 know them very we'll. am not
afraid Of You"
"Duval Duval Tll--"
"Oh, keep cool, Fontaine : Send
your second to me at midnight. II
your valor holds till morning, I'll give
you a chance to prove it,"
Every we'll. sir. Understand this
goes to the bitter end. I will receive
no apology-no. the most abiect one"
"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, Ia fact, 10 John
Winthrop to ask him TO make the
proper arrangements for meeting be-
tween Fontaine and himself the next
day. After little persuasion John
agreed to do so; but ere Duval left
Fontaine tapped smartly at Johns door
and made the same request. The two
opponents bowed TO each other, but left,
all speech to John, who, in truth,
seemed admirably adapted for the part
he found himself almost Obliged TO
play.
He tried first to effect q reconciiia.
ton, but finding that impossible made
the strange proposition that he should
act rs second for both. "Gentlemen,"