The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-08-11


game was ut once interrupted. The slap
which was So light it did MT crms on
the young mans cheek, was enough to
call for blood, and leaying the house he
sought an intimate friend. To him he
had opened his heart. 1t mus,
be battle outrance, Such was the
enmity between himself aud Riviere,
only a life could wipe it out Tue old
doctor-who had grown up, it might be
said, on the field-shrngged his should.
ers and demonstrated, but at last ac-
quiesced and said, "Very well, then; it
shall be to the DEATH - esr. .s.
II.
Few people knew what sort Of party
it was driving down the sbellroad bor-
dering Bayou St John. Two carriages
stopped just on the bridge leading to the
island formed there by bifurcation of
the bayou, and tour gentlemen alighted.
Savalle, a weIl-known character here
forty years ago, accompanied Riviere,
and old Dr. Rucqnet was with Dslagrave.
The seconds had met previously and ar
rangrd everything. Dulagraye, as he
stepped from the carriage, looked fur.
'tively around for the case of pistols. but
seeing none, he was little disconnected.
Atter walking about one hundred yards
from the carriage the party stopped and
the doctor motioned them to approach
closer. When they had done so, he
called them by name, and said, Gentle
men, we have discussed this matter near
ly all last night, npd both NJ Savalle
and myself feel satisfied that thtre is no
solution to the differences between you
but the death of one The world is Sc
formed that both can not live in it Mt the
same time" The two men nodded.
f"TherefOre. the doctor, went on. ave
have agreed to make the arbitrament rs
fair as possible, aud let fate decide.
He took out black morocco case and
from it produced q pill-box containing
four pellets. "Oie of these said he
contains n positively fatal dose o.
prussic acid, the other three are harm
less. We have agreed that each shall
swallow two Of the pills, and lot destin,
dcoi ie." Savale inclined his head anC
sud, as the representative OF Rsviere, h,
agreed.
The two men were pale, almost blood
less. but not nerve tremllsd or mus |
contracted.
"Gentlemen," said the doctor, "w
will toss for the first pill" Savalle calle'
out tails, as the glltteriug gold pec
reyolved ia the air. 1t fell in IA bunch o
grass, the blades of which, being sepsr
uted, showed the coin with tine reverse,
Goddess of Liberty uppernost. M
Delagrave, you have the first choice,
said the doctor.
Reposing in the little box, the fou
little globes seemed the counterpart o
each other. The closest scrutiny woult
not develop the slightest difference
Nature alone, through the physiological
alembic Of the human stomach, can tel
of their properties. In one there rest
the pail OF eternity, the struggle f.
breath, the failing Of sight, the panor
anna of years rushing in Gu inStan
through the mind, the silence and peac
of sleep for evermorr, the emony, til
burial.case, the solemn cortege and th
close, noisome atmosphere of the grave
All these were contained in one of tbes
= little pellets. Delagpve having won IL
, first choice, stepped forward and took
A pill, With calmness which was irigi
+ he placed it on bis tongue aud with
emp of claret, handed him by the dooto
h. washed il down.
/, "And now, NJ. Riviere." said The do
e tor. Riyiere extended his hand an
= took a pill. Like his opponent,
e swallowed 1t.
: The two men stood looking one ni
other in the face. There was not
! qniver to the eyelid, not twitch TO
j. muscle. Each was thinking of himse
. rs we'll as watching his adversary. o.
u minute passed. Two minutes passe
&c Three. Four. Five. 'Now. gentlemen
20 said the doctor in solemn tones, ait
: time 10 make fnal draaipg."
a This was the fatal chance. Doth m,
=, we're ready for the east of the die. S
,f vile tossed the gold piece Rloft, and Il
n doctor cried out Heads" "Hea3s"
-, was, aud Delagrave took pill from Il
q box, leaving only one. Now, said 4
:, doctor, 1.-The remaining one is for yo
=. You will please swallow them together
/ The two men raised their bands Mt 4
"a same time and deposited the pills on th,
Ie tongues and took a draught of claret.
in One second passed, aud there was
"a movement. Two seconds, and Meth
r, stirred. Thsn-"Good Godr' sxclail
t. d Riyiere, his eyes starting from th'
"a sockets. He turned half around to {
~ left, raise his hands above bis he
or and shrieked long, wild shrek Il
ps belated travellers even to this day F
so they hear on tae shell road, noar
Is island.
ID He felI prone to The earth. and, saw