The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-04-24

bed.
Anatolc got the Professors trombone,
in which he blew as though a deaf per-
son were trying to play it. The sounds
it emitted were internal.
"AIy precious trombone! the gift of
my pupils" exclaimed the Professor.
"Leave that instrument alone"
an. Bouvard," replied Anatole, 'you
have imagined that I have departed. I
imagine you arc absent, and I amuse my
self awaiting your return" Then, after
blowing furiously on the trombone, he
exclaimed: "Ah, what beautiful motel"
"You will cause my landlord to give
me notice to leave the house. He will
not let me play on my trombone after
midnight"
"Ah, the man has no music in his
soulm
Again the trombone thundered.
"For heavens sake, stop"
t'Do you consentl"
'To what?"
"To give up the idea of this marriage?"
"But J. cannot do tnat.
every well, then-'
The trombone finished Anatole's
sentence.
"M. Capdenac is a terrible fellow. If
I should offer him such an affront he
would kill me-"
"Does that fear restrain you9"
eyes"
"Then leave the matter to me. Only
promise me that if Iobtain NJ. Capdenac's
acquisccnce my cousin shall be free"
eyes, I promise you she shall be free"
"Bravo! I have your word. Now
will leave YOU. But, by the way, what
is this Capdcnac's address,"
cit is 100 rue DcuX-Epees."
81 will 60 there at once. Goodby."
"Ah," thought NJ. Bouvard, "you are
going to throw yourself in the lions den,
and you will get what you deserve"
Anatole fastened to the address the
Professor had given him. 1t was six
o'clock when he reached the house. He
rang the bell violently.
"Who is there!' cried deep voice be-
hind the door.
"Lct me in. I have an important
communication from NJ. Bouvard."
Anatolc heard the rattling of a safety
chain which was being removed, and the
sound of a key which was turned in three
locks succcssively.
"Wcll, this man is we'll guarded" ex-
claimed Anatole.
At last the door was opened, and Ana
tole found himself in the presence of a
man who had fierce curling mustaches
and was arrayed like buccaneer.
"You see-always prepared" said NJ.
Capdenac. "That is my motto"
The walls of the reception room were
covered with panoplics. In the little
room to which Capdenac led his visitor
one saw nothing but arms -yataghans,
poisoned arrows, sabres, swords, pistols
and blundcrbusses. 1t was a veritable
arsenal. 1t was enough to strike terror
to the soul of timid person.
''Bahm thought Anatole. "What
does it matter2 I shall die within two
hours in any case"
"Monsieur," said Capdcnac, "what is
the object of -"
"Monsieur," replied Anatolc, inter-
rupting him, "you wish to marry Mile.
Nicette?"
eyes, Monsieur"
"Monsieur, YOU shall not marry her."
"Ah, blood! and who will prevent
me?"
"I."
Capdenac gazcd at Anatole who was
not very large, but who looked very de-
tcrmincd.
"Ah, young man, he said at last, "you
have the good fortune to find me in a
good hmor. Profit by it. Save your
self while there is yet time. Were I not
in an amiable mood I would not answer
for your days"
And do not answer for yours"
GA defiance! to me! Capdcnac! Do
you know that I have fought twenty
ducls. that have killed five of my ad-
vcrsarics and wounded the other fifteen?
Go, young man, go. Ihavc pity for your
youth. There is still time; 60"
~ sce," replied Anatolc, ''hy your
manner and your surroundings that you
are an adversary worthy of me, and that
increases Inv desire to measure swords
, with so rcdoubtablc man. Come! Shall
we take these two swords or those over
the mantel? or these two battlc-aXcs? or
cavalry sabrcs? or do you prefer these
yataghans? Are you undecided? what
do You say
Il am thinking of your mother and of
the sorrow that awaits her."
Il have no mother. But perhaps You
prefer carbincs or rcvolvers"
"Yomg man, do not handle those fire
arms
care you afraid? you tremble!"
"Tremblc! II 1t is the cold"
Then you must fight, or renounce the
hand of Nicctte."