Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-17

OF A DUEI. OVER NINE. BoUL.ANaER AND ITS
TRAGIC TERMISATIoS-HIs DAUGHTERS NuP-
rIALs WITHOUT MATERNAL SANCTION
From Paris letter to the Chicago tribune
an interesting bit Of domestic history is given
anent the MAN of Destiny" The domestic
drama in the Boulanger family began, say the
gossips. soon after the Franco-Prussian war
From the first scene of it imagine the sitting
room of a young cavalry captain, discreetly
mentioned as Roger d. Though it is little
after dawn the young captain is out of bed. To
his amazement a woman is announced
Through the thick veil he can see that she
is exceptionally handsome. She is tall and
fair.
"A woman's visit" says she, sat such an
hour az this cannot have failed to surprise
you"
The young captain is too polite to admit it.
~ can only say" says he, that shall be
happy if can serve you"
Without knowing me-" she asks, a faint
smile being visible through her veil.
From her voice the young officer begins to
suspect that she is not wholly stranger to
him. The face of a fair unknown, seen in the
streets and at the races. has been haunting
him for weeks.
You are getting ready" she continues, ''to
fight duel with my husband"
81 am Nine. Boulanger," she says. II sup
posed that You knew me-"
Nothing could have astonished the captain
more. He certainly had a duel on hand that
morning. He was to meet Col. Boulanger.
The meeting grew out of some vulgar mess
room quarrel-some woman whom Boulanger
was befriending. You are fool" said the
friends of Roger D.. Ito be drawn into quar-
rel about such a creature as she Is" But the
young man was higb-spirited and would not
be moved from his determination to fight.
He now turned quietly to Nine. Boulanger.
"Are you aware" he asked, ''of the cause of
this QUARREL"
'Yes," she said. Il have learned 1t was a
quarrel about cards at the club. At least, that
is the story they told me-
1.-The story is correct" said Roger.
"And have come" she continued, ''to in
tercede with you. Between two such men as
you fatal result is certain. And they tell me
that you are the better swordsman.'
Would you have me forego my advantage?"
cried Roger, guessing at the purpose of the
visit. why should not try to kill this man
now that have an additional reason for hating
him?''
What reason?" she demanded
The reason that he is your husband" he
cried
Things were getting dangerous The visitor
made her last appeal. She told of her two lit
tie girls. She said that it was only for them
she feared. She added that she could cry with
shame for her visit, but she could not see her
children orphaned. 1t not wholly on her
children's account that the young man prom
ised first, to avert the duel if an apology would
avert it, and, second, if this failed, to act only
on the defensive. Having gained her point,
the visitor went quietly away.
ACT II.
For the next act of the drama shift the scene
TO a big house in the suburbs of Paris, with a
garden much favored by duelists The duel
took place. Nine. Boulanger, treasured, was
calmly waiting the result, when strange lady
entered in great Distress said that she was the
sister of Roger D., and waited. too.
''All will be well.' says Nine. Boulanger.
Heaven" says the other. will not allow my
brother, who fought so gloriously in the war to
fall at the hand of a wretch like this
"A wretch?" cries Nine. Boulanger.
YES" she says, "a wretch. If he were not a
wretch would he. married man, the father of
two children, be fighting for woman?'
'You calumniate him." says Nine. Boulanger.
Would l did," replied the other. But
have the tale from my brother, and my brother
never lies Who are you that undertakes this
mans defense?"
Il am his wife" says Nine. Boulanger.
His wife, cries Rogers sister; and before
another word could be uttered messenger
brought the news that Roger was grievously
wounded His sister fastened to get help.
Roger was carried into the room and placed
upon the sofa. For a few moments he was
beside him in an agony of remorse.
Who Is it!' he family asked, regaining con-
ciousness
1T is l." she cried, seeking your forgive
ness"
Il have nothing to forgive he said, slowly
II meant to die for you"
Hush" she cried. Il will do anything to
repair the harm | have caused. will nurse
you; will watch over you. Live-only liver'
But the young captain could only motion her
hand to his lips, and when her husband en-
tered with his arm in sling he found her
kneeling beside corpse.
ACT III.
The scene of the third act is the MAYORS
Office in the 18th ward of Paris The day is
October 20 of the past year. NJ. Marmottan,
the mayor, has just given his daughter in mar
rage, and all the municipality was taking a
holiday. At o'clock in the afternoon General
Boulanger entered with his daughter Marcele
upon his arm. Her dress was of cream-colored
silk, with embroidered skirts. Her hat was of
the same color as her dress. ornamented with
flowers, and perched on forest of fair hair.
Captain Driant, in his uniform as an officer
Of zouaves, gave his arm to his mother. stately
in black silk. Behind him came the witnesses
Count Dillon, VI. Griffith, General Faverot de
Kerbrech and the bridegroom's brother.
In its account of the marriage the Figaro
wrote: mime. Boulanger, still indisposed
found herself forced to remain at Versailles in
the company OF her elder daughter"
The usher announced the mayor NJ Mar
mottan, after saluting the bridal party, stood
behind his desk. He then read the customary
service. Then, as the law demands. he turned
to Gen. Boulanger.
do the parents CONSENT" ne asked
There was pause. The bridegroom seemed
disconnected. After an instant the general re-
piled, The father consents"
"And the mother" asked the mayor
'The mother does not consent" said the
general huskily.
The law. observed the mayor, requires
that the reason shall be stated
THE reason" said General Boulanger who
had evidently nerved himself for this ordeal,
lis that Nine. Boulanger and have not lived
together for seventeen years"
Ii was seventeen years since Nine. Bou-
LANCER had knelt by the dying man. and even
now, when her daughter was standing at the
altar, she found herself unable to forgive.
And IN these three acts are told the story OF
the Boulanger divorce
Pugilistic Lord Cecil.
THE ENGLISH PRENIER's SON GETS THE WORST ov
FIST FIGHT AND RESIGNS
The resignation of Captain Lord William