Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-30

One day he was feeling PARTICULAR,
sore in regard to the young lady VIII,
had slipped from his grasp when Ar
mand came in and exhibited diamond
ring for Rockwells criticism. Armand
did not say so, but there was not til,
least question as to who the ring wa
intended for. It was the last straw, an6
Rockwells irritable temper broke al
bounds as he blurted forth the crue
taunt:
You should explain to Miss Alwyn
before rendering an engagement ring
the fact that your own mother has neve,
yet worn avoiding ring!"
1t was dirty, foul, and unwarranted
remark, and Armand was SO shocked
that biting his lips which were of an
ashen whiteness, he left the room with.
out otherwise rescnting the insult.
Before evening, however, mutual
friend called upon Rockwell, demand
ing satisfaction for Armand. Physically,
Ernest Rockwell was no coward and
was really glad of the opportunity to
fight with Armand. If he could kill
Felix he might enjoy some peace of
mind if not-well he himself would be
out of the way.
Two days later the two erstwhile
chums met in lonely nook on Long
Island for the purpose of fighting q
duel with pistols. Rockwell was fierce
and excited; Armand was cool and col
lected, but determined. When the
shots were exchanged Armand fell
dead; Rockwell was quite unhurt.
The young man who had acted as
Felix Armand's second now stepped up
to Rockwell and handed him small
package.
"This" said he, "was left in my care
by Felix, with the request that it be
handed to you in the event of his death.
He also charged me to see that the con-
tents are returned to his mother by my
hands. so that you will please say when
and where you con be prepared to give
me back the package"
Rockwell was too much agitated over
the result of the quarrel to examine the
packet then. He merely said:
Call at the Gilsey House, New York,
tomorrow morning. Ask for me, but
be sure and give your name for shall
leave orders at the office for them to
send no one but you to my room"
So the party separated-the doctor
and the two seconds remaining
with the body of Armand, to break,
rs best they might, the sad news to the
poor mother, while Rockwell, with the
stain of murder upon his hands, jour-
Keyed to the metropolis.
AS he Travelled to the city on the Long
Island Railroad, Rockwell opened the
Envelope, which was addressed to hina-
elf in the well-remembered handwrit-
ng of Felix Armand. There were three
nclosures, marked respectively num-
'ers one, two, and three, and neatly
olded together.
Number one was q letter signed by i
Armand:
ERHEsT-I little thought, until the words,
ere spoken, that you OF all others would +
YER insult me with the blacklist insult that
nc man can heap upon another. That YOU
ere my friend might have counted for
luch did tho reproach reflect only upon
yself; but. when you would attempt to
lilly the purity of my mother no relation
mp can prevent me attempting to wipe out
lie dirty lie. Since challenging you have
armed (what l never troubled to INQUIRE
Ito before) all the circumstances of nv
Others history and my own-also, of
om,s. You can read tho enclosed docu-
cnts and can afterwards verify the state
tents therein contained, at your leisure.
IF the fates are against me. this secret
ill die with me; if survive you. none shall
ave the opportunity to revile you.
FELIX"
The paper marked number two was
letter from Armand's mother to her
On. It was written in French, but
being familiar with that Ian
uage easily deciphered it:
MY SoN-You say that it has become i'm
erative that should inform you of all the
circumstances of my marriage and your
firth: Very well, you are now % years old.
wcnty three years ago was courted and
ed by Col. Rockwell. at that time brill
INT young officer in the United States con-
ular service. He is your father and the
,closed certificate will attest the validity
the marriage. Monsieur Rockwell loved
he then. or protested to do so, but his love
peedily grew cold and very soon he neg
,cted me. One month after our marriage
is term of Office expired and he returned
, his own country, where he entered the
rmy to engage in the civil war. He left me
clplcsss and. except for my fathers assist
nee. penniless.
After a time letter and a newspaper
cached me. informing me of Col. Rock
Tclrs death in one Of the great battles. 1
earned soon afterwards that it was all a
ruel. foul lie; but we Armands are too
roud to force ourselves where our presence
5 not desired-even when we have the
light to do so. was not long in ascertain
ng that my husband had married an Ameri-
an girl shortly after his arrival at Wash