The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-05-16
AUNT HERISS0N.

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 Nile. de Saint Juirs,
made an odd figure, mounted on the stif
Old mare Leda, riding behind her mis-
trees. Her silhouette was that of war
ike woman.
The young men rode past her into the
forest, laughing and joking.
Mile. de Saint-Juirs overheard their
silly banter.
She turned her horse round and wait
ed. She was handsome. The ride, the
brisk air and also the indignation had
beautiied 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 stirTup, all trembling with anger.
Tie young men approached them a
little 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 chsgrined riders TO stop them.
Now, cousin" said the young man,
s2luting her let US return"
And the ride back TO the chateau was
a happy one, for George de Sernay and
his cousin Nile. de Saint-Juirs were en-
gagged, snd neither doubted that the lit
tie incident was ended, not knowing
how much sadness It would cause them.
The parents Of the young cousin lived
in yeritable chateau, but like Cyrille
and Leds, it had seen better days. The
gardens were dilaPidated, but the interior
Of the castle was still very beautiful.
Nine. de Saint-Juirs had died when
her daughter MaTcel,e was three years
old. Her sister HerisSon had cared for
the child as though she had been her
own.
Mile. Herrisson had never cared to
marry. She was very pious. She was
continually in a discussion with NJ. de
Saint Juirs because years before he fought
a duel in the garden behind the chateau,
and she lcoked upon him as criminal.
When Marcelle was twenty, her aunt
tried to induce her not 70 marry, but all
influence was useless.
Nlarcelle, after overcoming Aunt Her
issOn's numerous objections, was afiiane-
ed 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?"
81 was, monsieur"
ave we're also, my friend and l."
THAT does not interest me-"
"But ii interests u.s."
"Well, you two converse about it and
leave me in peace"
~IfIam not mistaken you were the
protector Of the stout servant"
"Whom you insdlted. You were the
impertinent person who
Il do not receive personal lessons,
monsieur"
at is pity said George, @for you
need them"
"You are an insOlent person"
George raised his arm, but controlled
himself and said between his teeth:
Consider yourself challenged. mon
sieur:"
Cards we.e exchanged, the seconds
conferred, swords were chosen and the
encounter to be the next day. George
demanded that it should not be made
public. He spent the night in writing
to his parents and his fancee.
1t was his first duel, and he was lit
tie afraid.
The next morning at the rendezvous
he found the place marked of 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 ad-
vanced.
His adversary stood still, held his
sword out tra'ght and simply warded
offeach blow George gave, without any
attempt at retaliation.
George nearly laughed.
"Halt~ said the referee.
They took the frst position again,
Three times they went through the lit
tie 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 il
The seconds and his adversary were
pale as death, and all the rest except
George gave sigh of relief.
In the evening two days later the fam
lily were assembled in the salon Of the
chateau.
Aunt Herisson read the newspaper.
NJ. de SAint-Jnir and his daughters were
making out list for the invitations TO
the soiree following the betrothal. George
vas drinking q cap Of tea. To explain