The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-08-09
"COWARD ~

TRANSLATED from the French for The Weekl
In the world of rank and fashion he wa
known as "the handsome signoles," II
lesser ones as the vicomte Gontran JOSEPH
de Signoles. Orphan aud possessor Of Ger
tain fortune, he made quite figure II
society. He was endowed with good man
ner, with sufficient conversational powers
to suggest ability, certain natural grace
an air both dignitied and proud, and lastly
but not least, q magnificent mustache ant
apair of very languishing eyes, Irresistible
attractions to the women. He was grea
beau in the ballroom, much courted in III,
salon, regarded by the men with that pecu
liar smile accorded by their sex to man o
superior physical proportions. They attrib
utsd to him several amours very flatteriDl
to his reputation as bon garcon. He livec
TRANQUILITY happily, in the full sunshine o
ofevery body's good opinion. lie was know
to be a clever swordsman, and still
cleverer marksmau. "Whsn fight a duel,
he used to say, sit shall bs with pistols
then am sure of killing my man."
One evening he escorted two ladies' to thu
theatre, accompanied by their husbands
and when 1t was over he proposed going t.
Tortoni's for an ice. They were not there
for very long before he noticed that gen
tleman seated at small table near them per
sistently stared at one of the ladies', Sc
rudely in fact that she grew nervous, impa
tient under II and turned away her head
At last she said to her husband:
That man ia staring me out of counte
nance. do not know him; do you 2"
Her husband, who had not observed any
thing, looked at him, but declared: Z" No,
have nevar sppu him bafOra ~
His wife continued, half hattered, half an
nOyed at is most provoking; he is spoil
ing my ice."
Her husband merely shrugged his shout
ders.
"Bah Don't notice him. II one pait
attention to all the rude people in the world
one would never have DONE"
But the Vicomte had risen abruptly
He was shocked to think that this stranger
should be able to spoil an ice he had offered
1t was entirely his affair, since he had in
the gentleman and said:
"Sir, your manner Of looking at these
ladies is intolerable. must beg that yor
will cease to annoy them"
The other answered brusquely:
"You would lay down the law to me, sir
youi''
The Vicomts replied between his teeth
Take care, sir; you will compel me to
use force.'
The stranger answered this with but one
word, one only, but which rang from one
end of the cafe to the other, affecting each
person present like an electric shock, tha'
most insulting one In every language
Coward !" Half the people rose to their
feet, three garcons pirouetted on their heels
like tops, the two women atth buffet stimuli
fQupnn1lv iuU1nad than crnunhpd like tue
automatons actuated by the same motive
For moment there was utter silence, the
next it was broken by dull sound the
VicOmte had struck his adversary in the
facs. Several gentlemen rushed between
and parted them. The two men exchanged
cards.
When the yicomte entered his apartments
he strobe up and down for several minutes
He was too agitated to think of anything,
One sole idea dominated his brain, ga
duel" without awakening any other sensa.
ton whatever. He had behaved as he
should have; he had shown of what stuff
he was made. All the world, his world,
would speak Of him, would applaud his 40
ton, would congratulate him. Yet he re
peated again and again, speaking aloud al
one does when under the stress Of some In
tense emotion, "What q brute of q man ~
He threw himself into chair to reflect
Before the following evening he had to Hnd
his seconds. Who should he choose. OF
course the most distinguished men of his
acquaintance. Finally he decided upon the
MARQUIS de- Ia Tour NOire and Col. Bour.
din-a grand sisgnsur and soldier. Moth.
ing would bs better their names would give
Importance TO the affair in the papers. He
began TO feel thirsty and drank three glasses
OF water one after the other then com
msmcsd to walk up and down hrs room
again. II he showed himself Arm, prepared
for everything, and dictated rigorous terms
demanding a serlous aa8ht, duel TO the
death, there was the chance that his ad'
versary might lind some way In which Il
withdraw from the anair altogether. hs
took up the card he had thrown on tue taDie
moment since aud read II again and again
rs he had already done at glance IN the
cafe aud by the slinmer OF each gaslight on
his way home.
"George Lamil, o9 Rue Money" Thai
was all. He examined this assemblage o.
letters, which seemed to him SO full o.
mystery, OF dire confusion even.
George Lamil who was this mani VIVA!
was his profession Why had hs persisted
In staring In such manner at lady
Was II not revolving, msddsning even, THAI
an utter stranger should thus thrust himself
into ones life TO trouble and disturb 1t be
cause It pleased him TO gaze at woman
somewhat impsrtinentiyf And the Vicomts
repeated once more aloud
what o brute"
He remained standing, motionless, reflect
Ing, his eyes devouring the letters ON the
card. Presently feeling OF impotent rage
at this piece Of pasteboard took possession O.
him, strange sensation OF mingled hatred
and dread. What stupid affair II.
opened penknifs and pierced II through
and through as II he were actually stabbini
some one.
So he must really fight Should h,
choose swords or pistOls2 OF course Il WA