Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1883-07-21
A Duel With Pills.

ester IhS ihtCutts eaLAGS AOto
window on Canal street, q feeble, white
haired old gentleman recalled memories OF
a tragedy which, in the hurry burly OF he,
seems to nave pas ed into oblivion.
In ls4l, outside of the city proper, there
was, perhaps no more delightful place OF
resort than at the Bayou Bridge. 1t was
par excellence the great suburban attraction
at that time, and between boating parties
on the water Of the bayou and card reunions
over the tables of old Barleduc's gambling
saloon out there, the Jeunesse doree OF New
Orleans Of tia day managed quite comtor-
tably to while away many a leisure moment
Possibly nst two young gentleman enjoyed
the quiet hospitality OF Barbecue more than
Alphonse Riviere and Henri Delagrava in
fact, most Of their afternoons w.. re spent IN
the diuiy lighted saloon of the old game
! ser. at whose shrine ali the card-loving eie-
mf mt Of the city paid homage.
there was a qliet air about the place
that seemed almost religious, and even the
parchment faced 1 nan, VINO mechanical
) rand ed the i II. ivory bali in roulette,
called our the nnnb-Is IN q repfessed voice
IS if be feared TO disturb TIE quiet. The
talnt eli k of II e ch ps' as eager players
1a!lel WITH ten, Was perhaps the loudest
5 uud 10 b card ther and even that cane
% H.. -ar IL d subdued way. On the floor
a bright coveIlug Of mattl- < kushed the
f,ol te, s VII lie at the windows dark yellow
curtains let III only just enough light Tor
tire illumination OF tie gambling fables.
R.yiere was a dashing fellow Ct ~, with
: iar.e este e in the Parish o. St. James
and a round account IN he Cd Union Bank.
He had passed successfully through the
Ecole Poly.echLique III France, had taken
a bout in Algeria, and returned to Louis
lana as accom- plished and comprehensive a
gentleman as one cou d wish TO meet. He
was fond of his horses, his VINE, md a quiet
game OF cards. Refund in his manner and
dlgnihed in his department, he was a warm
tavOrlte wherever he went, and his entry
into old Barleduc's Establishment was al
ways the signal for a cordial gr citing from
all who might be present.
f On this particular June afternoon Riviere,
With the activity Of a gymnast. leaped from
his buggy in front Of the saloon, and throw
ing the reius to his negr servant, told him
to drive the horse into the shade Of the pc
can trees in the yard. Switching a delicate,
ivory headed cane with a nervous, etkey
motion, he crossed the broad gallery and,
Iunannouuced, entered the gambling room.
Most of tie players were wrapped in atten-
ton to he'll game, but one there was who
turned his. head at the entrance OF the last
conner. This was Delagrave. He felt that
a crisis was ct hand, but even with this
knowledge he did not strive to elude its
coming. The morning he had been accep-
ted as the be;rothed lover of Nine. Celes
tin, one of the most beautiful and wealthy
widows of the lower coast, and Riviere, who
had been for the past year her most devoted
men; as an unsuccessful sutton. Riviere
had had no hesitancy in letting the world
know that he wanted to marry the coquet
fish little widow, and further, be, in a very
plain way, gave people the information that
he did not van interlopers p 'ying their
d%eviors at the same shrine. These matters
wish. One finds much difficulty 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 nails holes and even down the
chimney. AT least so it had Deen the case
at Nine. Celestin's, for jealous and watch
full Of rivals as Riviere was, Delagrave had
made the conquest under the very eyes OF
the enemy. and the widow had that day Sc
informed the unsuccessful sutton.
Riviere was very pale as be approached
the group Of men around the table What
with the elbow light shining through the
curtains and his bloodiess appearance, he
seemed rather d gnastly corpse than a living
cody. but there Was motion and voice IN him
which soor dlspelt I'd such an illusion.
As he NJ AIRED Delagrave,, the latter turned
t. cohirott tim when Riviere, with a voice
that -. med 10 come from behind the dor
IF a NIB, laid, De,agrave, re cannot live
on this globe together, it IS not large
enough
Delag-ave, quietly putting his cigarette
n q cold ard impressive tone replied: Yes
you annoy me. II would be better if you
were dead"
Rivieres face flushed, and reaching fer
ward laid the back OF his hand gently against
Delayrave's cheek. The game was at once
interrupted, The slap, which was so light
it did not even CT mson ihe young man
cheek, was en-, ugh 10 call tor blood, and
leaving the house be sought an intitnat.