The Portland daily press., 1892-10-12

Monsieur" replied Anatole, "you
want to marry Nicette?'
eyes, monsieur"
"Monsieur, you will not marry herw
"Ah, thunder-blood! Who will pre-
vent me-"
81 shall, monsieur"
Capdenac stared at Anatole, who was
bot very big, but appeared to be very
iecided.
''Ah! Young man, you are very lucky
20 have found me in one of my placable
moments. Take advantage OF it-save
yourself while you have time; otherwise
will not answer for your days?'
Nor for yours"
"a challenge-to me-Capdenac? Do
you know that I have been master
Of the art of fencing for ten years.
''Theres nothing of-fencive about me,
monsieur!
81 havo fought twenty duels, and had
the misfortune to kill five of my adver-
saries, besides wounding the fifteen 9th
ers! Come, l have taken pity on your
youth; once more, go away!'
81 see by your preparations that you
are an adversary worthy of me and my
long growing desire to confront man
so redoubtable. Let's see; what shall
we fight with? Those two double handed
swords standing by the fireplace! Or
those two boarding axes? With cavalry
sabers, or would you prefer pair of
curved yatagans? You hesitate. Can't
you make up your mind?'
81 am thinking of your mother and
her coming distress"
81 haven't mother to be distressed.
Would you rather fight with a carbine.
pistol or revolver"
'sYoung man. don't play with fire.
arms"
..Are you afraid? You are trembling"
''Tremblingl T? It's with cold"
1'Then fight or at once renounce the
hand of Nicette."
"Renounce the hand of Nile. Nicette!
By Jove, 1 admire your bravery! And
brave men are made to understand one
another. Shall I make confession to
your
'.Speakr'
"For some time past I have myself
had thoughts of breaking off this mar
rage, but l did not know how to do it.
l consent therefore with pleasure to do
what you wish, but at the same time
you must see that cannot appear to
give way to threats, and you have threat
ened me-"
81 retract them"
''In that case all is understood"
s'You will give me in writing your re-
nunciationY"
"Young man, you have SO completely
won my sympathy that can refuse you
nothing"
Furnished with the precious docu-
ment, Anatole flew back to the dwelling
place of M. Bpuvard. He had consid-
cradle distance to walk, and by the time
he reached the professors door it was
nearly s o'clock in the morning.
"Who is therey'
'sAnatole."
$50 home and go to bedr' cried the
professor, savagely.
II have got Capdenac's remuneration
of Nicette's handl Open the door or l
will break it down"
M. Bouvard admitted him, and Ana
tole placed in his hand the momentous
paper. THAI done, he rushed to the
door Of Nicette's room and cried:
cousin. get up-dress yourself
quickly and come here"
.'It appears, monsieur, that am no
longer master in my own home!" ex-
claimed M. Bouvard; ''you come and
go and order as you pleased To make
you understand that will have nothing
more to say to you, II will go back to
my morning newspaper, in the reading
of which you have interrupted me!'
A few minutes later Nicette, looking
fresh as dawn, arrived in the drawing
room.
ssWhat is the NATTER
sThe matter" said M. Bouvard, sis
that your cousin is mad!"
"Mad? So be itp' replied Anatole
"Last night, my dear little cousin, 1 Oh
tanned two things-the remuneration of
yorr hand by M. Capdenac, and the
promise of your worthy guardian to be-
stow it on the man of your choice-the
man you love-"
''Do you really wish me to marry An
atole, guardian
ssEh?" cried Anatole, his breath nearly
taken away.
EsSince love you, cousin!''
At that moment Anatole felt his heart
beat violently Was it at pleasure from
the unexpected avowal made by Nicette,
or was it the agony, the death symptom
predicted by the doctor?
unfortunate that I amp he cried.
s.She loves mel am within reach of
happiness, and am to die without attain
ing it?''
Then, taking the hands of Nicette
feverishly within his own, he told her
all about the letter, the venomous flower
he had scented, the prognostication of
his old friend, the will he had written
and the steps he had successfully taken
to release her from the claim of Cap
denac.
ssAnd now" he said in conclusion, 81
have only togo home and die!"
'sBut this is impossible" cried Nicette.
'sThis doctor must have mistaken; who