Connecticut western news., 1894-06-28
AUNT ABRASION.

AUNT ABRASION. Two young men, mounted on valuable steeds, burst into laughter as they left the Vichy road to take the one through the forest.
 They certainly lacked generosity, but Cyrille, the maid of Mile. de Saint Juirs, made an odd figure, mounted on the stiff old mare Leda, riding behind her mistress. Her silhouette was that of a warlike woman.
 The young men rode past her into the forest, laughing and joking.
 Mile. de Saint-Jui overheard their silly banter. She turned her horse around and waited. She was handsome. The ride, the brisk air and also the in- dignation had beautified her complexion ! and given brilliancy to her blue eyes. Her nostrils palpitated like the heart of a wounded bird She bit her lip and stood up in her stirup, all trembling with anger.
 The young men approached her a lit tie abashed. One of them opened his mouth, but had not time to speak before a young man rode up behind them and gave their horses two vigorous cuts with whip Being fine animals, they tore down the road on gallop, resisting the efforts of their chagrined riders to stop them
 Now, cousin, said the young man, saluting her, let us return" And the ride back to the chateau was happy one, for George de Sernay and his cous- in Mile de Saint Juirs were engaged, and neither doubted that the little incl dent was ended, not knowing how much sadness it would cause them.
 The parents of the young cousin lived in veritable chateau, but like Cyrille and Leda it had seen better days. The gardens were dilapidated, but the in- terior of the castle was still very beau tiful Mime de Saint -Juirs had died when her daughter Marcelle was years old Her sister Herisson had cared for the child as though she had been her own. Mile. Herisson had never cared to marry. She was very pious. She was continually in a discussion with M. de
 
 fought duel in the garden behind the chateau, and she looked upon him as a criminal
 When Marcelle was 20, her aunt tried to induce her not to marry, but all in- fuence was useless. Marcelle, after overcoming Aunt Herissons s numerous objections, was affianced to her cousin, | George de Sernay, an amiable and brave | young gentleman.
 The day after the ride George was seated at table in the Casino of Vichy when two young men approached him. | Pardon, but were you not yesterday on horseback in the forest?''
 ''I was, monsieur.
 "We were also, my friend and l."
 That does not interest me-"
 "But it interests us.
 Well, you two converse about it I and leave me in peace.
 If I am not mistaken, you were the protector of the stout servant"-
 Whom you insulted You were the impertinent person who'-
 ''I do not receive personal lessons, monsieur. "
 ''It is a pity" said George, flor you need them.
 "You are an insolent person. r George raised his arm, but controlled himself and said between his teeth: Consider yourself challenged, mon, sieur. !"
 Cards were exchanged, the seconds conferred, swords were chosen and the e.-oounter to be the next day. George demanded that it should not be made public. He spent the night in writing to hls parents and his fiancee
 It was his first duel, and he was @ little afraid. The next morning at the rendezvous he found the places marked off and the referee holding the swords by the points. He presented them to the duelists, and drawing back quickly said, Proceed, gentlemen.
 George heard bird sing joyously near him. He thought of Marcelle and advanced
 His adversary stood still held his sword out straight and simply warded off each blow George gave without any attempt at retaliation
 George nearly laughed
 tHalt. said the referee. They took the first position again. Three times they went through the little farce until George lost patience and resolved to finish it
 He threw himself on his adversary, whose swords point cut deep into his hand. For few minutes it was fist fight; then some one separated the com batants. Although George was bleeding badly, he wished to continue but his friends would not allow it. The seconds and his adversary were pale as death, and all the rest except George gave a sigh of relief.
 In the evening two days later the family were assembled in the salon of the chateau. Aunt Herisson read the newspaper. M de Saint-Juirs and his daughter were making out a list for the invitations to the soiree following the betrothal George was drinking a cuE of tea To explain his wound and his arm being in a sling-Aunt Herisson had already eyed it suspicionsly-he told that he had fallen from the top ot ' long flight of stone steps. His wound was made the pretext for thousand lit tie attentions from his gentle fiancee. Marcelle put the sugar in his tea stirred it, and I believe had her aunt's back been turned she would have tasted it for him, the roguel Suddenly as Aunt Herisson read she became very pale and trembled with emotion. She held the paper close to he, lamp and then dashed it on the floor. "What is its'' asked NJ de Saint