The Portland daily press., 1892-10-07

nSHflJnQ. nave Deen InGr0 UeIOfo.
While VIC wait will 60 and order din
ner. Do you like duck?"
Very much" said Glousseux, 'sbut
suppose they arrive while you are gone"
1.-THE ducks?"
''No, our principals"
"They can begin without me. Do you
prefer them roasted or fricasseed? How
would cells so with onions? Do you like
eels?"
81 adore them," said Monpate; "but
you can hardly get back in time, and
you will certainly be needed"
"Do you apprehend serious conse-
quences?" asked the doctor in surprise.
care the combatants very fery%
Hardly that" replied Glousseux
slowly, "but my principal is man Of
honor
'sAnd mine is full of pluck" added
Monpate.
Every well! Fish, cells la matelotte,
roast duck" said the doctor. II shall
not be gone long," and he hurried away.
The hour fixed for the arrival of the
principals approached.
"Your watch is FAST" said Glousseux
and after waiting a little he announced,
'sIn five minutes they will be here" but
they were not.
Glousseux paced up and down impa-
tiently and Monpate smoked cigar in
sullen silence. Ten minutes passed, if
teen, twenty-five, and yet the combat
ants did not come. Glousseux looked
at his watch, held it up to Monpate and
said in slightly ironical tone:
'tYour man has not arrived"
'sNor yours" retorted the other.
'sHe has been detained, that is all. Be
quite sure he will explain satisfactorily.
$50 will mine"
sit is hardly probable that both should
meet with a delay" muttered Glous-
seaux.
every true, but why not M. Peignot?"
"And why not M. RamonetT'
GLOW do / know that he intended to
come at all?"
"Sir? l can answer for my friends
honor"
'sBut not for his couragei Very likely
he is now seated in his armchair at
home"
"And where is your friend, may l
ask"
"Your tone is insulting, sir, and do
not brook insults any more than my
client does"
eff you are not more ready to resent
them than he isl
'sM. Monpate, it is enough. demand
satisfaction"
Certainly, you shall have it-when-
ever you wish"
II wish it nowl"
The next instant they had thrown off
their coats, seized the swords and begun
to fight. Just then Ramonet and Pieg-
not appeared on the scene. They were
walking arm in arm and conversing
cheerfully, and when they caught sight
of the combatants they exclaimed in
surprise: ''Stop! Stop"
At the same moment DIR. Rousselle
arrived, breathless but radiant. sit
will be delicious" he began, and then
added in dismay; $50 they have begun
it without waiting for me!''
"Stop them!" cried Ramonet and
Peignot, and the combatants, hearing
them, left off brandishing the swords.
ssAh, here is the man you suspected
of cowardice," cried Glousseux, and
Ramonet exclaimed, absurd" with an
air of great dignity.
'sHere is he whose honor you as
sailed" said Monpate.
'sHe was speaking in JEST" observed
Peignot calmly.
The two seconds looked at each other
for a minute and burst into peal of
laughter.
"What is the use of our fighting with
each other in defence of these two cow
ards?" cried Glousseux.
"Permit me- began Peignot, but
Monpate interrupted him with:
81 will permit you to do nothing ex-
cept pay for the dinner"
."The ducks are roasting, and the
matelotte is excellent" said the doctor.
Come, let us go, or everything will be
spoiled. Everybody's honor is vindi
Gated, am sure"
"Ernest. are you satisfied" asked
Ramonet.
Perfectly SO, Alfred" was Peignot's
reply.
Then the whole party shook hands and
went off in high spirits.
from the French of Jules Moinaux by
Isabel Smithson for Romance.
Tired of His Talk.