The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17
An odor of mignonette sto}o pleasantly

An odor OF mignonette sto}s pleasantly
through the open easement Of his cham
Der, and he seated himself on couch
near the window and looked at the
darkening zenith as he smoked. If he
were not altogether as placid as he
secondhand he made it point OF
honor to be outwardly tranquil even in
his own sole company-he was less dis
turbed than might have been predicted
Of man SO young after his share in
such scene.
The mans blackguard," he said,
quietly. perhaps I was an ass to tell
him so-and yet I don't know. That
sort of thing ought not to be allowed to
go on among gentlemen, and, if it does.
it is clearly some ones duty to put q
foot upon it,
He threw away the stump of his
cigar, lit new one, and stretched
himself along the couch. In that posi-
ton he smoked until he could see moth
ing in the gathering darkness but the
little point of light an inch or two
from his nose.
Then steps sounded on the stairs, and
there was a knock at the door. He
called at the knocker to enter, and two
men came in and looked about them
uncertainty in the gloom. There was a
light upon the stairs without, and he
recognized his visitors.
MIR. Tregarthen?" said one.
Sat your service, SIR" he answered,
gravely. "Be seated, gentlemen. Allow
me to light the lamp"
He moved quietly about the room,
found his lamp, set it upon the table,
and, having lighted it, resumed his
place. But seeing that his visitors re-
manned standing, he arose again and
faced them.
Colonel Pollard" began Major
Eykin, with great solemnity, "having
consulted Captain Hartcourt and N.Y.
self, has decided to meet the unusual
occurrence of this evening by a step
which is at least as unusual but which
seems to be called for by the circum-
stances of the case"
"Cisely. Quite So" said Captain
Harcourt.
The result of that decision u.s." pur.
sued the Major, "that we are here to
demand a meeting. Colonel Pollard
entirely valves the question of rank,
feeling as he does that nothing short Of
the course he proposes can vindicate his
honor'
'.And you concure' inquired the
Cornet.
"'zactly," said Captain Harcours.
ave concur"
Il must ask you to allow me to differ
from you, gentlemen" said Tregar-
then. II do not see how it is in any
way possible for Colonel Pollard to vim
dictate his honor"
''We will not trouble you, Mr.. Ire
garthen," said the Major, flor any ex-
preston Of your opinion" He spoke
with infinite dryness. ave will merely
ask you to nominate an hour for the
meeting and to name your friend"
Il can not oblge you, gentlemen"
returned Tregarthen. Colonel Pollard
has wantonly and publicly DETAINED the
character of lady, and I do not SEQ
how even q public apology and with
drawal could help him.
The Colonel's emissaries looked at
each other with uplifted eyebrows.
'.Are we to understand asked tho
Major, "that you decline to meet
Colonel PolIard?"
Il do not see how the breach of law
which Colonel Pollard proposes can
console him for former misdemcan-
orr
EBAY Jove! y know cried Har-
court, 'the fellows maids March
hare"
81 am not mad, most noble Festus,"
said Tregarthen, bowling.
The two military gentlemen were
strangers to the volume from which he
quoted, and they looked at each other
again, with a glance that said plainly
that the mark had been hit
Il wilt fight in the Queens cause"
said the Cornet, ''but in no other"
Here was another touch of the bombast
natural to ardent youth, but Tregar-
then's aspect was calm and it was not
difficult to see that he meant what he
said and was likely to abide by it.
II do not think, sir.'' said Major
Eykin. "that you properly appreciate
the situation, or the alternative that lies
before you"
MAY l so far trespass on your kind
ness" asked the imperturbable young
man, "as to beg you to instruct me?"
"You have offered to the virtual head
of your regiment public and most
shameful insult" returned the Major,
in considerable heat. she valves all
consideration of his rank, and stoops to
demand personal encounter in vindi-
cation of his outraged honor. Stops,
sir-understand me, sir say stoops
to demand a personal encounter. That
encounter you refuse. Do you know
what construction gentlemen will put
upon your refusal?"
81 await instructions, SIR" answered
VERY we'll" said the Major, grown
sardonic on sudden, 'you shall have
it. 1t is open for you to offer an abject
apology, and to exchanged you are
still inclined to ornament the service"
us that the only alternative course
you seeP" inquired the cornet. "Par-
don me, gentlemen. We are all nat
nrally little heated by the events of
the evening. May suggest that we
attempt milder humor?''
''The thing, sir" declared the Major,
islands beyond discussion. You ag-
gravate an original offense by the tone
you choose to take"
Permit me-" said this amazing sub.
altern. 'Is it not at least equally open
to Colonel Pollard with myself to offer
an apology and to exchanged he is
still inclined to ornament the seruine2 N