Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1893-07-27
THE COWARD.

(The following stok5 by the late
Guy de Maupassant vas published
by Harper & Breis. In fhe collection
Of Thirteen Tales"
VI. de Maupassant wGs one of the
greatest of short story writers, al
though not in early life trained for
literature. lie served m the Fran
CO. Prussian war and sfterwald by
accident became a p9pil of FIau-
bert, under whom he served a liter
airy apprenticeship Of seyen years.
When he began to publish his works
they were immedistsa !. sulceessfsl.
He became addicted to the use Of
drugs and finally his mind gave
way and he died recently in an in
sane asylum.)
In society they call him "the
handsome Signoles." His name
was Viscount Gontrand Joseph de
Bignoles.
In the drawing-rooms he was in
great request, much sought after as
a partner for the waltz, and he in
spired among men that smiling ha-
tired which they always cherish for
others of an energetic figure. lie
passed happy and tranquil life, in
comfort of mind which was most
complete. Ii was known that he
was a good fencer, and as a pistol
shot even better
"1f ever fight duel" said he,
II shall choose pistols. With that
weapon / am sure to kill my man."
Now, one night, having accom-
panied two young ladies. his friends,
escorted by their husbands, to the
theatre, he invited them after the
ply to take an icea at Lortoni's.
They had been there for several
minutes, when he perceived that a
gentleman seated at a neighboring
table was staring obstinately at one
of his companions. She seemed put
out, uneasy, lowered her head. At
last she said to her husband
There is q man who is looking
me ont~of coantsnancc. / do not
know him; do yon 2
The Viscount had risen brusqe-
ly. He could not allow that this
stranger should offend his guests.
1t was to him that this insult was
addressed, because it was through
him and on his account that his
friends had entered this cafe.
He advanced towards the man and
said to him 'You have, sir, a man
ner Of looking at those ladies which
! cannot tolerate. beg of you to
be so kind as to cease from this in
stance
The other answered: you are
going to mind your own business
The Viscount said, with close
pressed teeth: Take care, sir, you
will force me to pass bounds.
Then, on a sudden, a dry sound
cracked in the air. The Viscount
had slapped his adversary's face.
Everyone rose to interfere. Cards
were exchanged between the two.
When the Viscount had reached
home he paced his room for sew
eral minutes with great, quick
strides. He repeated in a loud
voice, speaking as one speaks when
ones thoughts are very much trou-
bled:
What a brute the fellow was y
However, they must fight! lie
considered himself as indeed the
insulted party. He said
Unjust be firm. He will be afraid
The sound of his voice made him
tremble, and he looked about him.
He felt himself very nervous. He
drank another glass of water, then
began to undress himself to go to
bed.
As soon as he was in bed he blew
out the light and shut his eyes.
He thought
1've got all day tomorrow to at
tend to my affairs. I'd better sleep
first so as to be calm
He was very warm under the bed
clothes, but he could not manage to
doze of. He turned and twisted,
remained five minutes on his back,
then placed himself on his left side,
then rolled over to his right.
lie was still thirsty. He got up
again to drink. Then an anxiety
seized him.
sShall I be afraid
Why did his heart fall to beating
so madly at each of the well-knoyu