Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-06-09

presence, with no prVteAb IOt uOlnB 30,
except the one he could truly offer.
When no saw the man his heart told him
it was some forbidden lover of Made
leine seeking an interview with her.
But why the presence Of the father
He determined to pursue the lover and
imperAtively demand an explanation.
Captain Villars in bis haste had not OBJ
served Monsieur De Lille, who now put
spurs to his horse and pursued. The
earth was soft with the decayed foliage
Of many an autumn, and his horse s
boots made little sound. Coming up,
still unperceived upon the British otli-
Ger, he cooked his pistol, took aim, and
crfed, Halt Just as Villars, turning,
found himself ut the others mercy.
From DE Lilies uniform and accent
Yillars knew him TO be French. He
quickly drew his sword and waited for
the Frenchman's approach. The latter
returned his pistol to the holster, sprang
upon the ground, and drew his own
sword, disdaining to take any advantage
OF n surprised enemy, and wishing to
give him an equal chance for his life with
himself
"Stand and give an account Ct your
self, said he. The Englishman drew
himself up to his full height and replied
very haughtily, % shall give you an e1-
PLANTATION Of nothing"
"Then defend yourself, - said De
Lille. but first tell me arc you n
sutton Of Nademoiselle Dubose con-
tlnued he.
81 am. sir, replied Yillars proudly.
"Who ore vou?" "At least u friend Of
her country and Of her father. May
inquire il YOU visit her with the consent
OF that father"
THAT is none OF your business, SIR,
and decline TO answer. '
"Then | Will force you to do so at the
swords point.
Immediately the two swords flashed in
The air AMI crossed.
Both officers were masters OF fence,
and tho issu9 was for some time doubt
full At last the rreuchmau by sudden
dexterous turn OF the wrist parted his
opponents stroke and held tho point OF
his own sword at tho others heart
"Aow answer truly, or die. " he said.
"Why wereyou in the tree? y
"lo converse with my alianced
bride, replied he boldly.
"AUd that afliancel bride %
els Geneyieye Dubose?" said Nlllars
calmly, though expecting the next mo-
mont 10 be- his last.
To his surprise the lrenchmap did
not strike but asked very quickly,
a. Genevieve or Madeleine for he sud
denly remembered there were sisters.
~ have said,' replied }illars coIdly.
Then your life ia your own ~; and
he dropped his sword-arm TO his side.
love Madeleine, he continued, "and
am therefore ready 10 shake hands with
yoL.
Nillars held ont his band, smiling, and
as the two late deadly combatants shook
hands over their discovery, the English
man said Monsieur, the next time
before YOU draw your sword SO rashly,
pay remember that there are more
urettv women IN tine world than one.
Then be added "lOu aro g NOR uiiicent
sWordsman, however, aud II this ac-
cursed war were over l should bo glad
t. soe YOU win her
And l., said De Lille. "re3pect p
brave man too much 20 hctray his secret,
10 matter on which side he may fight.
Rest assured, Monsieur, you have no.
thing 10 fear from me. But for the pres
eut ! must bid you adieu. am just re-
leased from imprisonment 10 yonr capt.
tai. and c,-tos 1 have been in ploasantar
quarters"
a few moments later lie presented
himself at Mr.. Dubose's residence, and
asked to see Madeleine. She entered,
and he arose 10 greet her, saying, 81
have come at last, 4lademOiselle Dubose,
after a long and weary waiting. May /
venture 30 hope that the remembrance
Of our last meeting has not entirely es-
capped Won, and that ] am not now in
curing your displeasure by returning
and reminding you Of that, our first and
last meeting two years ago
Madeleine was considerably startled at
seeing him for, though she had remem-
bored him with much pleasure and had
secretly hoped that me- would mt some
time return. yet in reality she never eN-
pected 10 see him AGAIN. she IN le-
coming language expressed her pleasure
at his release from imprisonment. but
this qualified pleasure did not exactly
suit her admirers ardent sentiments.
He. poor fellow in 70 lonely tar-away
prison beyond the sea had had abundant
opportunities TO mediate upon her beat
ty aud intelligence, her ready Wit and
courage.
HIS love, o tender shoot, upon the first
evening of their acquaintance, had, in the
very favorable atmosphere OF a prison,
grown to be g sturdy and luxuriant
plant, TIL now there WIS no possibility
Of eradicatDg it from his heart without
lacerating hls yltals. He did not, could
not, realize the limited nature Of their
actual acquaintance. She had been so
often before his minds eye during the
past two years that he seemed to have
known her intimately for long period.
Ho was consequently chilled and almost
wounded at what seemed to him very
cold reception, though really it had been
rs cordial MS maidenly mOdesty and pro-
priety would admit.
In his disappointment he threw him
self at her feet and lmplored her to look
more kindly upon him. tie poured out
his whole heart before her, and Made
leino was much touched at his constsncy
and devotion. She babe him rise and
be comiolted. She declared 20 him she
bad remembered him with much plea
sure, but could not now assure him Of
any warmer sentiment; he must be pa
tent and allow her time to ascertain
more fully her feelings toward HIM.
This was the utmOss he could prevail
upon her to say, aud IN good sooth 1t
should have been sufficient.
"Weu, not 10 be too tedious he re-
manned q guest for a week, at the end Of
which time he declared he must return
to camp. He had male good use Of his
time, and at last brought Madeleine to
confess that she reciprocated his tender
passion. She permitted him on the Gay
ot her departure to lay the matter before
her father, aud formally request her
hand, after having disclosed 10 him his
lineage, connections, and prospects.
lie also presented credentials from the