St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-28
A Duel for a Wife.

Alexandria, Va, Cor New York Sun.
Mrs. Henry Nevil, nee Dulaney, the rich
est heiress in Virginia has taken up her
residence in this aristocratic old town for
the winter. She is often seen on the street
with her husband, the handsome young
Irishman who won her at the point of the
sword. and the pair are much admired.
Their presence here has set the people to
talking about the famous sword contest in
which Nevil showed himself to be the
finest fencer in the South, and by
which he won his bride and great wealth.
1t occurred some ten years ago.
Mrs. Dulaney was then the belle of this
part of Virginia. Her father, Col. Hal
Dulaney. was worth SIS, 600, 900, and the
daughter was to inherit half the amount,
AS she was beautiful us well as wealthy,
there were many suitOrs for her hand.
Among them, the two most favored were
young Engl Shman named Randolph who
was an officer in Her Majesty's Household
Guards, and Henry Nevil, an Irishman
who had fought in the French and Austrian
armies. Both were handsome, manly fel-
lows, though not burdened with riches, and
for time their chances seemed about equal.
1t soon became evident that they hated
each other very cordially. and all tide
water Virginia eagerly awaited the result of
the contest for Miss Dulaney'S smiles. AS
both were very high tempered and familiar
with the use of weapons, the lady had a
hard time to keep them from venting their
hatred in a bloody way. Still, with girls
coquetry, she led them on. showing no de-
cded preference for either, and sometimes
appearing Indifferent to both. One evening
the three were in the draWing-room to-
The rivals addressed paoh other
only when absolutely necessary. and then
with smothered anger in their tones.
Finally Miss Dulaney got tired of that
sort of thing, and said laughingly: why
don't you go out and have a good fight in
stead of snarling at each other always"
I'VE will do it," they exclaimed in one
breath. The lady continued the converse
ton in bantering tone, not dreaming that
the men were Ill earnest. Next day, how
ever, she discovered that they had actually
adopted her laughing suggestion.
When the rivals left the house they at
once arranged the preliminaries for duel.
meeting place was selected just off the
Dulaney estate, the time fixed upon was
the following morning at sunrise, and
swords were chosen as weapons. At the
time agreed upon they met, with their sec
0ndS, and there ensued the most bloody
duel that has ever taken place OH Virginia
soil. 1t was evident from the beginning
that Nevil was the more expert swords
man on account of his experience in the
French army. Randolph handled the sword
we'll, too. but lacked the grace and facility
of movement OF his opponent.
Moreover, the Englishman was
very much excited. AS they faced each
other they exchanged glances, which meant
MAINLY fipht tn the desth Then thew Sn
to. Randolph striking fiercely and wildly al
his enemy, while the Irishman coolly took
the defense, parrying his blows with ease
and awaiting his chance for a thrust. 1t
came at last. and he neatly removed a
large piece of Randolph's ear. The pain
seemed to madden the Englshman, and he
bore down on his enemy with indscreet des-
peration. Nevil quietly got in another
strike, which mutilated the Englshman's
nose. The rest of the fight was rough and
tumble on Randolph's part, while Nevil
not for moment lost his presence of mind.
He finally disabled the Englishman by get
ting in thrust on his sword arm. He did
this merely to prevent downright murder,
for he knew that he could take Randolph
apart piece by piece, without injury to HIM
self, and he knew, too. that Randolph
would die rather than yield as long as he
could hold a sword.
Miss Dulaney was sorry for Randolph's
misfortune, but she smiled more than ever
on Nevil, whom, it turned out, she had
loved all the time Three months after
ward Randolph rose from his sick bed dis
figured for life. left the country, and has
not been heard from since. About the
same time Nevil and Miss Dulaney were
married.