The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-03-09

Stlll he had one great advantage
he staid in the same house with limo.
gene, and could see her in many favor
able moments forbidden to less happy
mortals. But Duval, who watched him
closely, was soon convinced he was in
different to this immense favor, for Du.
val had found opportunities of putting
very clever leading questions to Mr.
Winthrop, and that gentleman had an
swered them with the greatest candor
Indeed, he was so much moro polite
and sympathetic than he expected, that
Duval, Wit really longed for conf
dant, poured out his whole soul to him,
aud asked john candidly what was his
opinion about his own and Fontaine's
chances. Did he really think Fontaine
would win lmogenel
john said he knew very little of
women, bat he thought Fontaine would
not win Miss Imogene.
1t is comfort to have contidant,
and Duval frightened so 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
gloomly one night when he met John
Winthrop. How it happened he never
could tell, but in five minutes the two
men were talking of Imogene, and Fon-
taine had told John all bis hopes and
fears with regard to her. John listen
ed with interest, aud even encouraged
the conversation, though he attempted
to moderate Fontaines complaints of
Duval.
"For,' said he, sit is only right TO
tell you that | am also Duvars conf
dan,. | must say the affair is full of
interest to me, and | can partly under
stand how it fills and colors all the hours
of your two lives. For me, things are
different. If | should fall in love, |
could not afford to lose either an hours
sleep or an hours time about any
women"
In this way matters went on for some
weeks. John was the known conidant
of both men, post not half so difficult
as it appears at first sight. For Fon-
tame often wanted to say something
about Duval he did not care to say to
Duval's face He therefore made the
remark to John, hoping that he would
be his mouth piece; and it is needless
to say that Duval followed the same
plan.
John smiled, and smoked, and listen.
ed, and kept very quiet-a thing easy
enough to do, for both lovers only cared
to hear themselves complain. That they
kept up so long an appearance of friend
ship was entirely due to Johns wise IT,
ticence, and his charitable rendering OF
such scraps Of conversation as he might
be obliged to report.
But a smouldering fire cannot always
be controlled, and one night when
Imogene had been very naughty and
cross to both Duval and Fontaine, they
unfortunately met on the piazza OF
their hotel Duval was Respondent and
PROSTATE, Fontaine angry and scornful
and Duval's air unconsciously irrtated
him.
"How ill-tempered Miss Imogene was
to-night!' he said, frettully, fingine
his half smoked cigar into the street,
"NIiss Imogene is never ill-tempered,
answered Duval, warmly. II will not
allow you to say such thing
"You won't allow me? Understand
shall say what / choose about that lady
l do not recognize your right to defenC
her
"Nor / yours 10 blame her.
"Perhaps | have more right than yor
know of.
That is lying insinuation; you ar
no gentleman to make it,"
'Do you dare to say it is lie?'
eyes, l don't mind saying it is a sol;'
lie"
"You know the consequences of tina
speech, suppose?"
II know them very well, | am no
afraid of you"
"Duval! Duval! Ill"
"Oh, keep cool, Fontaine! Send you
second to me at midnight, If your val
or holds till morning I'll give you
chance to prove it,
every well, sir. Understand, thi
goes to the bitter end. | will receiv
no apology-not the most abject one.
mo apology will be offered YOU
| Then Duval flung his hat on his h, &c
united his horse and rode rapidly II
the street He went, in fact, to Joh
Winthrop to ask him to make the prol
er arrangements for meeting etwee
Fontaine and himself the next da,
After little persuasion John agreed t
do 50; but ere Duval left, Fontain
tapped smartly at Johns door, and mad
the same request. The two opponent
bowed to each other, but left all speec
with John, who, in truth, seemed az
mirably adapted for the part he foun
himself almost obliged to play.
He tried first to effect reconcile
ton, but finding that impossible, mac
the strange proposition that he shoul
! act as second for both. "Gentlemen
he said, with a winning courtesy, ''yc
are both equally my friends, and | a
honestly disposed to do equal justice
= each, Fix on some place and hour, an
| will bring my friend Dr. Allen, an
see everything as pleasantly and homo
ably settled as possible"
Both Duval and Fontaine bowed
. this proposal, Perhaps neither of the
was in his heart as bloodthirsty as
pr tended, and peaceably incline
e second has a great deal in his powe
} So little wood two miles out of tow
was fixed upon, and sunset the folio,
= ing day was the fated hour, John hi
7 insisted on this delay, partly, he sal
j because he still hoped the principe
4 might change their minds, and part
: because it would allay any suspici,
: which their quar- el and late visit to hir
self might arouse.
9 So both Duyal and Fontaine were
d their usual desks in the morning, a
J. their evening horseback ride was
i common and natural that no one attaC
Il ed any unusual meaning to it. b,
II men arrived at the designated spot
different roads, but within two minut