Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-07-10

4 i
think that l shall be dead in five hours
l don't mind the proprieties to that ex-
tent. Come! my life for Nicetter'
1t was four o'clock in the morning
when Anatole rang at the door of Mic
cites guardian, NJ. Bouvard.
rs tAefs { Ares"
mo, dear NJ. Bouvard," said Anatole;
II came to make little CALI
''But / suppose, monsieur. that since
you disturb me in this way you have
something very important to say to me"
livery important, NJ. Bouvard. You
must abandon the marriage of my cous-
in Nicette to NJ. Capdenac'
| Never, monsieur, never"
cit will not take placer
''We shall see. And now that you know
my reply, monsieur, 1 will detain you
no longer"
THAT is very kind of you; but 1 am
good as we'll as tenacious, NJ. Bouvard; |
take no offense at your procedure, and l
remain"
Remain if you like. consider you
as gone, and L have no more to say to
you"
do you CONSENT"
| ITO what2'
Abandon the marriage"
But, monsieur, NJ. Capdenae is d ter
rible mani"
SIN that case, let me do it; only swear
to me that if l induce NJ. Capdenac to
give up his claim my cousin shall be
free"
Eyes, monsieur, she shall be free"
When Anatole arrived at the address
given him it was nearly six o'clock in
the morning,
"Who's there?" asked a gruff voice,
through the door.
Open. A very serious message from
NJ. Bouvard."
Finally the door opened, and Anatole
found himself in the presence of a ma n
with a stiff mustache who wore for his
nightdress costume of the fencing
school
Monsieur" said Capdenac, MAY
know"
Monsieur" answered Anatole, "you
wish to marry Mile. Nicette?"
YES, Monsieur"
Monsieur, you shall not marry her!"
''Ah! thunder! All, blood And who
will prevent me?"
81
Capdenac looked at Anatole, who was
not very large, but who seemed very de-
cided.
'Ah, young man" said he, at last, sit
is lucky for you that you find me in one
of my good-humored moments. Take
advantage of it. Run away while there
is yet time Otherwise do not answer
for your days"
Nor for yours"
"a challenge to me! Capdenac! Do
you know that have fought twenty
duels, and that have had the misfor-
tune to kill five of my adversaries and
wound fifteen others? Oh, come, take
pity on your youth. Once more save
yourself"
Il see" said Anatole, that you are
an adversary worthy of me, and my de-
sire increases to measure myself with
so formidable a man. Let us take those
two swords there, near the chimney, or
those two boarding axes. Or those cav
airy swords. Or what do you say to
these curved sataghans? What is the
matter?"
Young man, do not play with fire.
arms"
Are you afraid? You are trembling!"
''Tremble! 1! 1t is from cold"
Then fight or abandon Nicette's
hand"
Il like your bravery. The brave are
made to agree. Shall make confess
sion to you?''
Speak on"
For some time have been thinking
myself of breaking off this marriage;
but l did not know how to manage it.
So would very willingly consent to
what you desire; but you understand
that l can not seem-I, Capdenac-to
yield to threats"
II withdraw them"
Then it Is agreed"
''Will you write out your abdication
and sign ftp"
Il have so much sympathy for you
that / can refuse you nothing
Furnished with the precious docu-
ment Anatole ran to NJ. Bouvard's- !
The distance was long, AMI he did not
reach the door until eight o'clock in the !
morning.
go home and go to bed" shouted the
professor, stormily.
Il have Capdenac's abdication. Open |
the door or will break it in"
NJ. Bouvard opened. Anatole handed |
him the paper and went to Nicette's |
door to shout:
Cousin, get up. dress quickly and |
come"
1T seems, monsieur, that l am no
longer master of my own house. You /
go, you come, you command! To prove /
to you that do not like it l shall pay
no more attention to you. You hear? 1 |
am going to read my newspaper"
A few moments later Nicette, as
fresh as he dawn, arrived n the littls /
qaiOn