The bee., 1883-08-11
A DUEL WITH PILLS.


show-window on Canal street, feeble,
white-haired old gentleman recalled
memories of tragedy which, in the
hurl; ;-burly of life, seems to have pass
d into oblivion.
In 1841, outside of the city proper,
there was, perhaps, no more delightful
pace of resort than at the Bayou
Bridge. 1t was, par excellence. the
great suburban attraction at that time,
and between boating parties on the
waters of the bayou and card reunions
over the tables of old Barleddc's gamb-
ling saloon out there. the jeunesse do
rec of New Orleans of that day man
aged quite comfortably to while away
many leisure moment. Possibly no
two young gentlemen enjoyed the quiet
hospitality of Barleduc more than
Alphonse REVERE and Henri Dala-
grave; in fact, most of their afternoons
were spent in the dimly lighted saloon
of the old gamester, at whose shrine
all the card-loving element of the. city
paid homage.
There was quiet air about the place
mat seemed almost religious, and even
the parchment-faced old man, who me-
chanically handled the little ivory ball
in roulette, called out the numbers in
suppressed voice, as if forced to dis
| turb the quiet. The faint "click" of
the "chips" as eager players dalEed
with them, was perhaps the loudest
| sound to be heard there, and even that
came to the ear in subdued way, On
the floor bright covering of mating
hushed the footsteps, while at the win
dows dark yellow curtains let in only
just enough light for the illumination
of the gaming tables.
Riviere was dashing fellow of tven-
ty-two, with large estate in the par
ish of St. James and round account
in the old Union bank. He had pass
ed successfully through the Ecole Poly
technique in France, had taken bout
in Algeria and returned to Louisiana
as accomplished and companionable
gentleman as one could wish to chat
with. He was fond of his horses, his
wine and a quiet game of cards. Re
fined in his manner and dignifed in
his department, he was warm favor
ite wherever he went, and his entry
into old BarleduCs establishment was
always the signal for cordial greeting
from all who might be present.
On this particular June afternoon,
Riviere, with the activity of gymnast,
leaped from his buggy in front of the
saloon, and throwing the reigns to his
negro servant, told him to drive the
horse into the shade of the pecan trees
in the yard. Switching delicate, ivory
headed cane, with nervous, jerky mo-
ton, he crossed the broad gallery and,
unannounced, entered the gambling
room. Most of the players were wrap
ped in attention to their game, but one
there was who turned his head at the
entrance of the last conner. This was
Delagrave. He felt that crisis was
at hand, but even witt this knowledge
he did not strive to elude its coming.
That morning he had been accepted as
the betrothed lover of Nine. Celestin,
one of the most beautiful and wealthy
widows of the lower coast, and RiYiere
who had been for the past year her
most devoted adnlirer, was left to nurse
his disappointment as an unsuccessful
suite. Riviere had no hesitency in let
ting the world know that he wanted to
marry the eoquettish little widow, and.
,urther, he, in very plain way, gave
.cople the information that he
did not want interlopers paying their
devoirs at the same shrine. These mat
tets are hard to arrange exactly as one
woSld wish. One finds much difficult
ty in closing all avenues of approach,
for love is not unlike the light which
the photographer in his dark room
finds so much difficulty in keeping out.
1t steals in, under doors, through nail
holes and even down the chimney. At
least so it had been in the case of Nine.
Celestin, for jealous and watchful of
rivals as Riviere was, Delagrave had
made the conquest under the very eyes
Of the enemy, and the widow had that
dag so informed the unfortunate
suitor
Riviere was very pale as he ap-
pro'.'hed the group of men around the
bic What with the yellow light
shining through the curtains and his
hoodless appearance, he seemed rather