The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-09-16
A DUEL In THE DARK.

! Vp*o the time when occurred the in
cidsnt which ana about to relate ! had
been wi1at is called an unlucky fellow,
having an anf5rtunate propensity for
strohing the wrong way and unwilling
~ bringing down upon myself the LII
win of people with whom I came in
contact. A friend once tried to explain
this misfortune of zaiae on the theory
that the electric fluid with which I was
charged was Of the antagonistic order,
and chat wasin no way responsible for
the enemies that Tmade.
| At this time ] was in Paris, having
beenseutthere by my friends, who were
then making an effort to procure for me
position of some Importance. In view
of my fatal incapacity for doing or say
ing the right thing at the right time,
they deemed 1t Indispensable to my sue
cess that ] should be at safe distance
until the matter was decided.
! ThatI should choose Paris for my place
Iof retirement was but natural, since a
young lady in whom I felt a somewhat
labsorbing interest was at the time stop.
ping In that.city.
I had become acquainted with her in
my college days and was sure that She
at least felt NO antipathy to me. Her
father, who was retired army officer,
took very aecNled dislike to me at
sight and gave as a reason that had
ssno fight In me. The arrogant manner
lin which he treated me in those days
II ~. .l-x |. 40,
led me coward.
Shortly after my arrival met the
young lady by an appointment which
was clandestine emily SO far as that I
was aware Of her fathers absence frenl
the city Gn that day. 1t was evening
when. somewhat fasig~ied bysour sight
seeing, we entered a cafe on one of the
beu4evaTds-for lunch.
As we passed through the broad en-
trance we encountered two men who
were lounging against one of the pillars.
The larger and much the stronger of the
two was carelessly brushing the floor
with hiss cane just as we reached him
lhe, if not Intentionally, yet with an in
difference to the rights of others that
was inexcusable, switched the stick
lagainst-us in sVch way as to tear a
part of the lady's lace dress. Twas in.
ldignant, and a glance at her flushed face
made me feel that I must do something
to show my resentment.
This feeling was strengthened when I
observed the Indifference which the fell
low displayed in regard to the affair.
He made no attempt to apologize, and
when remarked, OH were very care
less. siri'' he gave me an insolent stare
that angered me beyond control, and for
getting for the moment everything else
Il spoke to him sharply. He made no re-
ply, but extending his cane entangled it
lin the lady's dress so that the delicate
fabric was again torn for a yard or more.
The man with him, a much younger
person, started as if to check him, but
the movement was not decided enough
to make it quite clear what his intentions
were.
, | was frantic with passion, and with
one blow struck the fellow to the floor,
then hurried my companion away from
the scene. The expression of surprise up
on the faces of the bystanders did not
escape me, and realized intuitively that
i had dared to assail man Of more than
ordinary importance.
We were hardly seated when the young
er man came to me, and bowling said. Il
beg monsieur's pardon, but my friend
whom monsieur felt called upon to re-
Duke wishes to exchange cards"
/ He held toward me an ordinary visit
ing card, which took without CHANGING
at it and handed him one of my own.
Courteously thanking me for the favor
and again begging my pardon. he With
drew
i "Oh, how thankful 1 am that you
knocked that brute DOWN. exclaimed
my companion. How / wish that papa
could have seen you'll will tell him of
it, and he will never-no, never-again
call you a.
She suddenly checked herself and did
not finish the sentence, but [ knew we'll
enough what she would have added--har
father would never again call nus cow
ard.
( It did not tro1bls me thsn. felt very
brave and smiled down upon her spar
king eyas with ''sbst-is- aie everyday
kort-of- experience witiia-zpe" expression.
Altar lunch ESCORTED hs- To her home,
.t,ag yaElisne<a TO nay aosIal and vary soon
ra&irad.
had .a5l finished dressing s,sxt morn
ing when she door Of my room was sud
sisuly opened, and q man entered unan-
bounced and apparently in great excite
aaent. vas not surprised at this ali
rup4ness when saw that it was Eiy &C.
lsnsr;e friend, Wilson, wAorn had
Ss.saEa ljTiltg IN siae city.
WEshe~s : @Srd Of greeting Or aposogy
60 exc;asraes: ''Wsil. you ssa~o done til
:: songratalsas yssr as%n ysus aotoriety.
i essne early aad have aot stopped for
s;erasnony. rssaass wished tc be she
Ssss 10 pey ssomags$o tbs latest Partisan
hero"
STARED biasakly ct hiza, vainiy trying