Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-07-03
behind the door of a tomb, said, Della
grave, we cannot live on this globe To-
gether it is not large enough"

behind the door of tomb, said, Della
grave, we cannot live on this globe to
gether; it is not large enough"
Delagrave, quietly putting his cigar
ette, in cold AMI impressive tone repli
ed: eyes; you annoy me. 1t would b
better if you were dead"
Rivere's face flushed, and reaching for
ward he laid the back Of his hand gent
against Delagraves cheek. The gam
was at once interrupted. The slap, which
was so light it did not even crimson the
young mans cheek, was enough to cal
for blood and leaving the house he
sought an intimate friend; to him HI
opened his heart. It must be battle
al omrance. Such was the enmity be
tween himself and Riviere, only life
could wipe it out. The old doctor, who
had grown up, it might be said, on the
field shrugged his shoulders and remon-
stra,ed, but at last acquiesced and said
Every well, then; it shall be to the
DEATH"
Few people knew what sort of party
it was driving down the sbell-road bord-
ering Bayou st. John. Two carriages
stopped just on the bridge leading to the
island formed there by the bifurcation of
the bayou and four gentlemen alighted.
Saville, well-known character here 40
years ago, accompanied Riviere, and old
Dr. Rocquet was with Delagrave. The
seconds had met previously and arranged
everything. Delagrave as he stepped
from the carriage, looked furtively around
for the cases of pistols, but seeing none,
he was little disconnected. After walk
ing about one hundred yards from the
the party stopped and the doc
tor motioned them to approach closer.
When they had done so, he called them
by name and said: Gentlemen, we
have discussed this matter nearly all Of
last night, and both NJ. Savillc and my
self feel satisfied that there is no solution
to the differences between you but the
death of one. The world is so formed
that both cannot live in it at the same
time" The two men nodded. "There-
FORE" the doctor went on, "we have
agreed to make the arbitrament as fair as
it is possible, and let Fate decide. He
took out black morocco case, and from
it produced a pill-box containing four
pellets. "One Of these" he said, "con-
tains a positively fatal dose of prussic
acid, the other three are harm( IS. We
have agreed that each shall swallow two
of the pills, and let Destiny decide
Saville inclined his head, and said, as
the represen ative of Riviere, he agreed.
The two men were pale, almost blood
less, but not nerve trembled or muscle
Gentlemen said the doctor, "we
will toss for the first pill" Savalle cried
out, "tails," as the glittering gold piece
reyolved in the air. Ii fell in a bunch
Of grass, the blades Of which being sepa-
rated, showed the coin with the revered
head of the Goddess of liberty uppermost.
IN. Delagrave,yo have the first .oice.
said the doctor.
Reposing in the little box the four little
globes seemed the counterpart of each
other. The clo.est scrutiny would not
develop the slightest difference. Nature
alone through the physiological alembic
of the human stomach can tell of their
properties. In one there rests the pail of
eternity, the struggle for breath, the fail
ing of sight, the panorama Of years rush
in an irstant through the mind, the ST.
lence and peace of sleep for evermore,
the cerements, the burial case, the solemn
cortege and the close noisome atmosphere
of the grave. All these were contained
in one of these little pellets. Delagrave,
having won the first choice, stepped for
ward and took pill. With calmness
which was frigid he placed it on his ton
que and with cup of claret, handed him
by the doctor washed it down.
"And now, NJ. Riviere," said the doc
tor. Riviere extended his hand and
took pill. Like his opponent he swal-
lowed it.
The two men stood looking one anoth-
er in the face. There was not quiver
to the eyelid, not twitch to a mu, Gle.
Each was thinking Of himself as
well as watching his adversary. Ore
minute passed. Two minutes passed.
Three. Four. Five. snow, gentle
men," said the doctor in solemn tones,
"it is time to make the final draw
ing"
This was the fatal choice. Both men
were ready for the cast of the die. Sa.
vale tossed the gold piece aloft, and the
Doctor cried ont. "heads." "Heads" it