The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-03-21

rs I now believe him to be, q do you
personal HARM"
At this moment the valet of the noble
man appeared and whispered something
In his ear.
II will be down directly" was the an
swer OF the master, turning a shade paler.
What is it, George eagerly demand
ed his sister.
ssOnly q gentleman to see me on some
private business"
.tOh, you must not fight with that base
manr' cried Lady Emily, at once divin-
ting the fearful secret, ''for you will be
killed, and / shall be left without a pro-
tecturr'
Have no fearre was the evasive an
swer Of Lord Hardinge as he hurriedly
Quilted the apartment.
As he expected, he received q formal
challenge from nj. Vauldemar, demand
ing satisfaction for the insult OF a blow,
the note explicitly stating that no apol-
ogy would be received.
The nobleman at once declared his
readiness to meet his adversary, but not
in the ordinary way. He Immediately
sent for an English officer of his ac-
quaintance, Major Bassett, Of the til
light infantry, and their conference re-
suited in the decision to give the French
man q meeting, provided he should ac-
cede to the terms and conditions which
the challenged party claimed the right to
! propose
AS monsieur the captain was known to
be a dead shot who had already killed
several antagonists, and as Lord Har-
dinge had never fred q pistol q half
| dozen times in his life, these terms and
conditions accordingly were that the par
ties should meet on the following morn
ing at 8 o'clock at q place designated in
the Bots du .Boulogne; that two dueling
pistols should be then and there selected
by the seconds, and one, and only one, Of
these be loaded; that these pistols should
then be effectually concealed under a
handkerchief and be drawn by the prin-
| cipals according to lot. and that when SO
drawn each should be placed to the breast
Of the other and both triggers pulled at
| the word.
1--WE shall see" said Major Bassett,
with a grim smile, ''if this redoubtable
hero will have the courage to fight with
an equal chance against him.
Somewhat contrary to his expectations,
however, the captain consented to the
arrangement, and Lord Hardinge spent
most of the night in making his win and
giving his friend instructions to be car
| ried out in case of his fall.
Atthe appointed time all the different
parties appeared upon the ground, the
nobleman with the solemnity due to an
occasion involving life and death, but
| Vauldemar with the nonchalance, either
real or assumed, of one who believed
himself the favored son Of fate.
The lot fell to monsieur the captain to
draw the first pistol, and as he weighed
them both with his hand before deter
mining his choice he remarked with a sar-
castle smile:
IF I can't tell by the weight which
has the ball for the heart of this accused
Englishman, I deserve to die" Immedi-
ately after he drew his pistol and added,
81 have it now-all right"
sGod shall judge between us" said
Lord Hardinge solemnly as he lifted
the remaining weapon
The principals were now placed face
to face only three feet apart, and the
seconds took leave of them with tremu-
Ions agitation.
Immediately after came the dreadful
words:
Are you ready, gentlemen? Fret'
Both triggers were pulled together.
There was only n explosion, and mon
sieur the captain fell dead without .
word, shot through the heart.
This singular duel is no fiction. Only
the names Of the parties have been
/ channad -Evchanrn