The morning call., 1890-11-09
APRINCEss' LOVERS ENCOUNTER
An Interesting Insight Into Russian
Manners and Customs I'M
perial Hunt and The Chief Hunts
man - Two Mortal Enemies
Posted Tosether-The Furious
Conflict.
Written for THE SUNDAY CALL

M s; T.; +: e: !: !: s: 4: :: A:
the beast must be very large one But with
you have no anxiety on that account, and
if lie should choose this road | rely upon you
to give him a warm reception.
And. turning about, the chief huntsman
disappeared behind a rock that barred the
path scarcely traced on the side of the u GUN
Tain.
The Due Nicolas and the Comte Franz
were alone.
which the two men, without looking at e acn
other, prepared their weapons, seeing that
their carbines worked properly and assuring
themselves that their hunting knives slipped
freely in their sheaths.
The Due Nicolas was the first TO raise his
"Parbleau!' said he; sit was strange
chance that brought us together here. what
do you think of it, MONSIEUR"
- think as you de, answered the Comte
Franz
1T is certain that in selecting us to de-
lend this PASS our chief hunstm'n bad not
the least suspicion that he was uniting In
common duty two mortal enemies.
And that he was bringing face to face
two men who are to fight duel Tomorrow
HtIHltl---luI upHtcCs ii'4AoAOtit i''NN'' A.
are thus understood. Our hurried departure
has not permitted me TO see my seconds
since yesterday evening.
II shall not see mine again until after the
iunt. but l instructed them TO accept the
meeting for Tomorrow.
There was another period Of silence.
"A single word of explanation, beg OF
YOU" resumed the Due. IAN | to under
stand that your seconds are as Ignorant as
mine of the trae motive of this duel|
Certainly. 1t is neither for NE nor for
you To compromise in this affair the name OF
the Princess Sophie.
DO not place ne in the same category
with yourself. Tor YOU must be aware that
am t. marry the Princess in six months"
If do not marry her in four.
The Due Nicholas made an impatient
movement.
See here, monsieur" said he, I'VE W ould
b. wiser to hold our tongues, for this Spot
is ill-chosen for such conversation, and by
continuing il we might come to commit some
stupidity
Il agree with you, Due" answered the
Permit me. however, to give you asst
piece of advice"
" AS you please; but will not promise
to avail myself Of it,"
That's your affair"
Well, what is the adyice?"
Whatever may happen tomorrow or
later do not hope ever TO wed the Princess
Sophie"
"Why"
Because, if you knew her wealth, you
do not know her character. The Princess is
n pure blooded Russian, brought up in the
traditions of her. race, and she will never
marry German"
The Comte Franz slightly shrugged his
shoulders.
We shall see,' he said.
The two men ceased.
THE REAR AT HAND
The Due Nicolas had placed his back
against the trunk of a tree. The Comte
Franz sat down upon fragment OF rock.
They remained thus for several minutes
motionless, listening attentively at the
slightest sound
Suddenly the Due bent his head forward.
Look out, Comte!" he said. Here
comes the bear"
He had scarcely finished these words
when noise Of shutting over stones and
crashing through branches was heard a
short distance away, and all at once, twenty
PAGES from the hunters, a black mass
emerged from a cOpSe of frs.
On pereeiving the two men the bear drew
himself up. He was an enormous beast.
prised Look upon his intruders.
The Comte Franz had been the first to
raise his carbine to his shoulder. Two re-
ports resOuHded, one after the other. The
bear made violent leap and fell back on
his four feet, uttering sharp growl.
Hit? Yes; but only wounded Before
b. could put himself on the defensive the
COmte Franz saw the beast right in front Of
him, standing at his full height on his hind
legs, his eyes bl0odshot, his teeth crashing
and his fore paws outStretched to eDvelOp
INN in a furious hug.
He put his hand to his knife, but instantly
h. was overthrowD, uttering a cry of an
gush.
"HeIpw he cried in choking voice.
The Due Nicolas had leaped aside. Bis
cheek glued to the butt of the carbine, he
took aim at the beast But just as he was
about to pail the trigger the bear made a
sudden movement and uncovered the bod y
# the hunter, whom he held beneath him.
A second more and the Comte Franz would
have received two bullets in his breast
Then in wink of the eye, the Due cast his
earbine on the ground, and. knife iu hand,
hurled himself upon the shapeleSs mass that
rolled before him.
A TRAGIC PELL-MELL.
For scarcely quarter of a minute the
three bodies were COMPOUNDED in tragic
pell-meIl. Then the Due Nicolas sprang 10
his feet, grasping in his clenched hand the
handle of his hunting-knfe, the blade of
which was dripping with blood The bear
also had arisen. With a supreme effort he
stood upright on his hind legs, beat the air
with his formidable forepaws and fell back
ward with all his weight his throat cut and
his jaws open. he was dead.
Are you wounded, monsieur" cried the
Due Nicolas.
The Comte Franz raised himself on one
knee. He made an effort, and. choking,
painting, get upon his feet.
No." said lie, feeling his arms and
breast. " 1t is pure miracle. l am not
hurt at all. Barely scratch on the left
arm"
Ma fop resumed the Due, "what luck,
for you have had a very narrow escape.
Il acknowledge, monsieur" exclaimed
the Comte, ''that | owe you my life"
well" rej0ined the Due Nicolas, do me-
the favor not to say so. II other people than
yourself knew it, a duel between us would
be impossible, and, upon my honor, should
be sincerely grieved in that eventW
The Comte Franz bowed. He was very
pale, and, as re strOve vainly to smile, his
mouth contracted in singularly un pleasant
fashion.
The sound of hurried footsteps made the
two men turn. Five or six hunters came up
out Of breath.
well, messieurs." said the chief hunts
man, who was the first to arrive, you have
done good work. Which of you are we to
congratulateP
Both of u.s." replied the Due Nicolas, ''if
you really think it worth while. II was
monsieur who welcomed the fellow and /
who gave him his dismissal!'
THE DUEL's RESULT.
The following morning, beneath the matin
sky charged with snow, in which the graz
clouds were chased about by the winter
wind, the Due Nicolas ana the Comte Franz
stationed themselves, pistol in hand, at
twenty PAGES from each other.
The four seconds step ed aside, and, almost
at the same time, the two adversaries took
ain.
A report resounded and the Dnc Nicolas
lowered his weapon.
The Co1te Franz had not moved.
bow awkward in meH murmured the
Due between his teeth.
And as the Comte Franz continued to
aim he lifted his arm. which he held close
to his body, the pistol on level with his
face
"A second report resounded. and the Due
Nicolas. dropping his weapon, quickly
placed his lett hand on his right shoulder.
Are you hit, Due ?" cried one of the
seconds.
Yes, my arm is broken, l think" calmly
replied the wounded man.
He advanced few PAGES and approached
the Comte Franz
Monsieur" said he to him, 81 feared for