Los Angeles herald., 1892-11-03

vent me?"
81 shall, monsieurr
Capdenac stared at Anatole, who was
not very big, but appeared to be very
decided.
"Ah! Young man, you are very lucky
TO 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
Won know that / have been master
of the art of fencing for ten years."
"There's nothing of-fencive about me,
monsieur!'
81 have fought twenty duels, and had
the misfortune to kill five of my adver-
saries, besides wounding the fifteen 9TH
ers. Come, have taken pity on your
youth; once more, go awayr'
81 see by your preparations that you
are an adversary worthy of me and my
long growing desire to confront a 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 a 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"
"Young man. don't play with fire.
arms"
"Are you afraid? You are trembling" :"
.Trembling! I? It's with cold"
'Then fight or at once renounce the
hand of Nicette."
"Renounce the hand of Mile. Nicette!
By Jove, 1 admire your bravery! And
brave men are made to understand one
another. Shall / make confession to
you?"
"Speak!"
"For some time past l have myself
had thoughts of breaking off this mar
riage, but / 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 l cannot appear to
give way to threats, and you have threat
ened me-"
81 retract them"
"In that case all is understood"
"You will give me in writing your re-
nunciation?"
"Young man, you have so completely
won my sympathy that can refuse you
nothing"
Furnished with the precious docu-
ment, Anatole few back to the dwelling
place of NJ Bouvard. He had a consid-
cradle distance to walk, and by the time
he reached the professors door it was
nearly 8 o'clock in the morning.
"Who is there?"
"Anatole."
"Go home and go to bed!" cried the
professor, savagely.
81 have got Capdenac's remuneration
of Nicette's handl Open the door or I
will break it down."
NJ Bouvard admitted him, and Ana
tole placed in his hand the momentous
paper. That done, he rushed to the
door of Nicette's room and cried:
"Cousin, get up-dress yourself
quickly and come here"
st appears, monsieur, that 1 am no
longer master in my own home! ex-
claimed NJ. Bouvard; "you come and
go and order as yon please! To make
you understand that l 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.
"What is the matter?"
1.-THE matter" said M. Bouvard, sis
that your cousin is madr'
mad? So be It'll" replied Anatole
"Last night, my dear little cousin, Oh
tanned two things-the remuneration of
your 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
"Eh?" cried Anatole, his breath nearly
taken away.
"Since [ 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 1 ami" he cried.
"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
| oil ahn,7t the letter tha vanomous flower