Arizona silver belt., 1894-06-16
AUNT ABRASION.

the forest.
 They certainly lacked generosity, but
 Cyrille, tho 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
 warlike woman.
 The young men rode past her into Che
 forest, laughing and joking,
 Mile de Saint Juirs 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 tkc heart of a wounded bird. She bit her lip and stood up in her stirrup, all trembling with anger
 The young men approached her lit. tie abashed. One of them opened his mouth, but had not time to speak before young man rode up behind them and gave their horses two vigorous cuts with a 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. "lut 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 ongaged, and neither doubted that the little incl dent was ended, not knowing how much sadness it would cause theni.
 The parents of the young cousin lived in veritable chateau, but like Cyrillo and Leda it had seen better days Tho 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 3 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 in discussion with NJ de Saint-Juirs because years before he fought duel in the garden behind the chateau and she looked upon him as a 
 When Marcelle was 20, her aunt tried to induce her not to mary, but all in- huence was useless Morcelle, after Aunt Herisson's 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 Yichv 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 1t interests us.
 Well, you two converse about il md leave mo in peace.
 If l am not mistaken, you were the protector of the stout servant
 Whom you insulted You were the | person who''-------
 'I do not receive personal lessons, | 
 "It is pity, said George, flor you 'eed them. ''
 You are au ihsoleht person. '
 George raised his arm, but controlled imself and said between his teeth:
 Consider yourself challenged, mon ieur. "
 Cards were exchanged, the seconds swords were chosen end the ncounter to be the next day. George that it should not be made ublic He spent the night in writing 9 hls parents and his flancee.
 It was his first duel, and he was Q title afraid The next morning at the endezvous he found the places marked f and the referee holding the swords l J the points, He presented them to the uelists, and drawing back quickly said Proceed, gentlemen
 George heard bird sing joyously ear him. He thought of Marcelle and 1vanced.
 His adversary stood still, held his word out straight and simply warded f each blow George gave without any tempt at retaliation
 George nearly laughed.
 Halt, said the referee. They took le first position again Three times icy went through the little farce until eorge lost patience and resolved to nish it.
 He threw himself on his adversary, hose swords point cut deep into his md. For few minutes it was fist yht; then some one separated the com ltants. Although George was bleeding ldly, he wished to continue, but his tends would not allow it. The seconds Id his adversary were pale as death, i'd all the rest except George gave yh of relief In the evening two days later the mily were assembled in the salon of i 0 chateau Aunt Herisson read the f 'wspaper. M de Saint-Juirs and his [ ughter were making out list for the I vitations to the soiree following the E trothal. George was drinking a cup T
 tea To explain his wound and his f m being in sling-Aunt Herisson l d already eyed it suspicio1sly--h d that he had fallen from the top of ong flight of stone steps. His wound IS made the pretext for thousand lit c attentions from his gentle fiancee. Marcelle put the sugar in his tea, | rred it, and believe had her aunt's ok been turned she wonld have tasted il for him, the roguel n as Aunt Herisson read she p came very pale and trembled with s, lotion She he4uCle paper close to her mp and then dashed it on the floor ., What is it?" asked NJ. de Saint r frs, :, Tt is, monaieur, that do not wish assassin in my house. " And turning George, "Go immediately, never to ! urn f