The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-06

Antoine and Alphonse were the sons of I
n vifeless father, TO whom In his age and
bereavement they were great comfort.
The belle of the village In which thSy
lived was the pretty Toipette, and as she
bloomed into womanhood the two broth
crs began dreaming dreams OF her and
making plans for future In which Toi-
netts was to bs the center and the circum-
ference.
OF course the reader will understand
that 10 was not possible for Toinette to be
the center and circumference OF two fu-
lures at ono and the same time She could
he those for only one.
But which onef On that hung tho
hearts and hopes Of two brothers.
Every body loved Toinstttc, and she was
the especial favorite of the wealthy old
colonel, the father OF Antoine and AL
phonsc. IL was because he was SO fond OF
her that she could not find it In her dainty
little heart TO be unkind TO either Of his
sons.
Thus it was that each felt he was the
chosen one, and each one dreamed bis
dreams OF the future, with Toinette as the
center and circumference.
But one day Antoine felt fash Of jeal-
Gus anger when Toinette bestowed a pretty
flower on Alphonse, and two days after
ward Alphonse turned away with dread
full feeling in his soul when he saw Toi-
nette and Antoine coming along the bank
Of the river hand la hand.
Within a month Of the first doubt and
suspicion the brothers had Of each other
they had declared open war, and the sweet
young heart Of the pretty Tcinette was
almost torn asunder.
They determined that the only way to
decide whose future she was to be the CEN
ter and circumference Of was by the sword,
and they secretly arranged TO fight duel
| to the death, the survivors, future to have
| Toinette as its center and circumference.
Notwithstanding the secrecy with which
| the brothers enshrouded their determina-
| ton to shed each others blood for Toi-
nette's sake their shrcwd old father be-
came apprlsed of 10 and at once consulted
| the fair cause OF this fratricidal strife
They had soon decided what to do, and
they separated with a smile which was
pleasant to look upon when bloodshed was
so imminent, and the blood, too, Of those
SO near and dear 20 them.
Tho brothers had determined to meet at
retired spot near the village at sunrise,
and 40 the appointed hour they were pros
ent, and the sight of each other seemed to
make them eager for each others blood.
They had completed all preparations and
had takon their places when Toinette at
tirod In a gown of the purost white, burst
upon them.
"Stsy your bloody handsp' she cried,
throwing herself between thom.
Alphonse essayed to lift her TO her feet.
Antoine's essay was similar. It was like
pouring oil on FIRE. Once moro they swung
their swords, and over the person of the
dainty Toinette they would have settled
their quarrel, only she would not have 1t
| So
IT bcseeoh you," she pleaded, "stay
your bloody handsl"
| "We win notl" they shouted In unison.
She wrung her hands, but they did not
see the ring on ono Of them, and naturally
they could not hear II.
why do you fght thus'" she asked In
trembling tones.
For you" they answered. "You, and
you alone, must be the center and cir
cumference Of the future Of one Of US, and
by this means only can it be decided which
one. Stand aside and let the Gght 90 on
60 the finish"
She held up her soft white hand, that
soft white hand with ring on IL, and 1t
was as a flag OF truce to stay the combat.
"And is that why you thus do battle at
the rising OF the sum- she asked. 1T Is
too late. You should have got up two
hours earlier. j cannot be the center and
circumference of the future of either Of
you. Two hours ago I married your fs-
ther, and he has sent me here to ask you
10 join us Mt the wedding breakfast.
Come, hurry up nov, my sons, before ev-
erything gets 40 cold IL won't bo 1T to
eat"
"Oh, mammal shriekcd Antoine and
Alphonse, and Toinette smiled. d.--Dotroit
Free Press.