Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-10-16

of these ladies is SO much to nay taste
that I should be very sorry TO leave
you"
Mime. Dulaurier, more and more
charmed at Leoace's manner, repid
instantly:
81 accept on my own authority, at
the risk of encroaching on my hus-
bands rights"
81 must at least, then introduce my
self to you in a more regular manner.
/ am the ViscoHnt Leonce de Vercun.
"And / SIR" said NJ. Dulaurier, 'am
Adolphe Dulaurier, old notary, these
are my wife and daughters"
In an hour they were seated In the
arbor promised by LeoLce, and were
altogether friends. Leonce had ac>
cepted with warm gratitude an lnvi~
tation from Madame Dulaurier to
visit them at their Flemish village
home,
.'Do you not think, whispered Lou
isc to L ouisettes that father and moth
er became friends very easily and
quickly with this Stranger
why no." replied Louisette. lit Is
perfectly natural"
Two months later Leonce alighted
at the railway station, Donai and NJ.
Dulaurier offered his hand in welcome.
He now had time to appreciate M. Du,
laurier's unaffected kindness, and
strange to say the provincial, who had
seemed to him slightly ridiculous IN
Paris, seen at home appeared to the
Young man as he really was-slmple,
natural, sympathetic and gentle.
Leonce was received with the most
demonstrative joy by Mime. Dulaurier
with cordial saIution by Louise, with
an odd smile by Louisette. 1t was
nearly z o'clock, and M. Dulaurler
rose. saying: "Since Van der Velde
is not in yet, let him run after his par,
trldges, and let us dine without him.
The repast was a real French dinner,
with all the meats poultry and gaine
possible, an enormous quantity OF
beer, and all the wines one could
think of.
After dinner, which was prolonged
quite into the evening, M. Dulaurier,
in consideration of his guests fatigue,
conducted him to his room at once.
Leonce set himself to opening his
trunks and portmanteaux. AT length
he drew from a portfolio a letter
daintily folded and perfumed, and be-
gan TO read aloud, as follows:
Il love you Louise! Sweet and
charming as you arc, who would not
love your 1t is for this reason that |
left Paris; it was to tell you this. For
two months have thought only OF
you, and OF the happy day when l
travelled with you, the day that deter
mined my life. Oh, Louise Louise
if you only loved mel"
1T is very good" said Leonce to
himself. II never expected a note
more suitably. Now the question is
how to convey it to my lady. The
simplest way is the best, of course.
I'll put it under the door into her
room But where is her roomf That
is the question.
He then began TO smoke cigar, at
tentive, however, to every sound IN
the house. He had not long to wait,
he soon heard light steps in the pas
sage, tho rustic of a robe; he rose
quickly and opened his door with the
greatest caution, just ia time to see
Louisette's delicate figure enter a
room on the left at the end OF the gal
lery.
Our hero allowed few moments to
elapse, and then, stepping like a cat,
visited the door through which Louis
cite had disappeared, and adroitly
slipped under the door the letter he
had prepared.
Good" he thought; my letter
will be the first thing she sees in the
morning."
Then he went to bed, humming a
tune, and slept the sleep of the just.
At z o'clock the next morning he
was awakened by very live y sensa
ton in his arm, as if be had been
tightly grasped by iron pincers
Standing by his bed and holding his
arm was o sort of giant, fully SIX feet
tall, with the frame of Polyphemus,
only this Cyclops had two little round
eyes. which were flashing fire; and he
had loved, Ihoarse cultural voice.
"Get up. Parisian!" he said. II an
Van der Veldel'
Every WE'LL" said Leonce, hall
asleep and compIetely..stupefied, "wha
shall do about it2"
But the other lifted him by the arm
like feather, and set him in the mid
die of the room.
What does this meant" crieC
Leonce.
This means that am going to Gu
your throat, Parisianp
But what for9"
mo explanations" howled the
giant.
Eyes; but"
mo explanation dress yourself ant
follow mel!
Van der Velde, seizing Leouce by
the arm, dragged him after hin
down retired stairway to deserted
street. AT the end of few seconds
he knocked at the door of house and
entered, with Leonce still in tow.
Leonce found himself IN the pres
ence of four men, who were introduce
ed to him, two as his own witnesses,
and two as those of Van der Velde
and who were all acquainted with the
cause OF INC uuel, DIS AL ueF clue
explained.
But" objected Leonce, men dc
not fight thus without l4otivs
"Ah-ha, Partisan! Perhaps, then,
you are a"
LeoAce was brave enough, and did
not allow Van der Velde TO finish his
sentence.
Il follow you, sir" he said quickly.
At the end of few moments walk
they came TO little grove. One OF
the witnesses carried the swords. The
four witnesses chose spot, and set
the giant and the young man in their
places.
Leonce was a very pretty fences,
and parried the first blows very sue
cessfully, even scratching his adver-
sary's hand.
The Cyclops, furious at his wound,
falling upon Leonce with the force OF
a wild bull, pierced the young mans
arm through aud slightly wounded
him in the breast. Horribly pale,
Leonce fell to the earth.
Van der Velde rushed to his side,
apd examined his hurt with anguish.
"lfdladroH that l ami" he cried, IN
a trembling tone; II meant only to
touch his arm, and his breast is
wounded"
L.