The Press., 1889-10-03
claimed. oAh what baautiful note"

l uotlC0 10 leave tn0 HOuSo. I10 VIII uOl l6t me play on my t1embone after midnight, ~, | "Ah, the man Has no music ill his soul. !"
 Again the trombone thundered
 "For heavens sake, stop!'
 ''Do you consent?'
 s'To whai?'
 "To give up the idea of this marriage?" | "But connot do that!" ''Very well, then The trombone finished Anatole's son. tence.
 "M. Capdenac is terrible fellow. If should offer him such all affront he would kill me-"
 Does that fear restrain you?"
 "Yes."
 "Then leave the matter to me. Only promise me that if I obtain NJ. Capdenac's acquiscence my cousin shall be free"
 "Yes, promise you she shall be free. "
 ''Bravo? I. have your word. Now shall leave you. But, by the way, what is this Capdenac's address?" | "It is 100 rue Deux -Epeex." "I will go there at once. Goodbye"
 "Ah!" though M. Bouvard, "you are going to throw yourself in the lions den, | and you will get what you deserve" I Anatole hastened to the address the pro- lessor had given him. It was six o'clock when he reached the house. He rang the bell violently. "Who is there?' cried deep voice be- hind the doc. "Let me in. have an important com munica.ion from NJ. Bouvard." | Anatole heard the rattling of safety chain which was being removed, and the sound of a key, which was turned in three locks successively.
 "Well, this man is we'll guardedr ex- claimed Anatole. | At last the door was opened, and Ana tole found himself in the presence of a man who had a fierce curling mustaches and was arrayed like buccaueer. "You see-always prepared" said M. | Capdenac. '"That is my motto" The walls of the reception room were covered with panoplies. In the little room to which Capdenac led;his visitor, one saw nothing but arms-yataghans, poisoned arrows, sabres, swords, pistols, and blun- derbusses. It was workable arsenal. It was enough 10 strike terror 10 the soul of l timid person. "Bah!' thought Anatole "What does it matter? I shall die within two hours in any case."
 "Monsieur," said Capdenac, "what is the object of--' Monsieur" replied Anatole interrupt ing him, ''you wish to marry Mile. Mi cette?"
 "Yes, Monsieur" "Monsieur. you shall not marry her." "Ah, blood! and who shall prevent me?"
 "I."
 Capdenac gazed at Anatole, who was not very large, but looked very deter mined.
 "Ah, young man," he said at last, "you hou ko G,o1 ;,, humor. Profit by it. Save yourself while there is yet time. Were not in an ami able mood would not answer for your days" 'And I do not answer for yours.'
 "A defiance! to me! Capdenac! Do you know that I have fought twenty duels that have killed five of my adversaries, and wounded the other fifteen? Go, young man, go. l have pity for your youth. There is still time; go."
 'I see, replied Anatole, "by your man. ner and your surroundings that you are an adversary worthy of me, and that in creases my desire to measure swords with so redoubtable man. Come! Shall we take these two swords or those two over the mantle? or these two battle axes? or cavalry sabres? or do you prefer these yata- ghons? Are you undecided? what do you sayI
 'I am thinking of your mother and of the sorrow that awaits her."
 ''I have no mother. But perhaps you prefer carbines or revolvers ?"
 Young man, do not handle those fire arms"
 'Are you afraid? you tremble!''
 'Tremble! I? It is the cold"
 '"Then you must fight, or renounce the hand of Nicette."
 'I admire your bravery. The brave understand each other. Shall I tell you something?"
 Speak"
 "For sometime I myself have thought of breaking this engagement; but I did not know how to go about it. l would, therefore. willingly consent to your re- quest, but you understand that if will not do for me, Capdenac, to seem to yield to your threats; you know you have made threats"
 ''I withdraw them"
 "Well, then, the matter is settled"
 "Will you write and sign paper stat ing that you relinquish the hand of Mi cette?"
 "I have so much sympathy with you that cannot refuse.
 Having obtained this precious paper, Anatole hastened to the house of M. Bou- yard. He reached the house about eight o'clock and rang the bell.
 "Who's there?"
 "Anatole.'
 "Go home and go to bed," cried the professor, roughly.
 "I have Capdenac's relinquishment of Nicette's hand. Open the door or I'll break it in"
 M. Bouvard opened the door. Anatole gave him the paper, and then went to the door of Nicette's chamber and cried.
 Cousin, get up; dress yourself and come here."
 A few moments afterwards Nlcette, as fresh as rose, entered the little reception room.
 Whats the matter?' she said.
 "The matter is," cried M. Bouvard, "that your cousin is mad"
 Mad be it!' said Anatole, 'but Nicette will see that there is method in my mad ness. This night, my dear little cousin, have accomplished two things: M. Cap denac renounces your hand, and your guardian consents that you shall marry the man you love"
 My guardian, are you indeed willing that I should marry Anatole?"
 "Ahp' exclaimed Anatole.
 sIt is you, my cousin, whom love-"
 At that moment Anatole felt his heart beat violently What caused it2 Was if