Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-05-01
AUNT HERISSON.


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
warlike 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
around and waited. She was handsome.
The ride, the brisk air and also the i'll
dignation had beautifed her complexion
and given brilliancy to her blue eyes.
Her nostrils palpitated like the heart Of
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
a young man rode up behind them and
gave their horses two vigorous cuts with
whip. Being fine animals, they tore
down the road Oh 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. dc 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
terror of the castle was still very beau
tiful. Nine. 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
continually in discussion with M. de
Saint-Juirs because years before he
fought a 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
fluence was useless. Marcelle, after
overcoming Aunt Herisson'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?"
IT was, monsieur
"We were also, my friend and !"
"That does not interest me- "
'But it interests us.
"Well, you two converse about it
and leave me in peace.
eff am not mistaken, you We're the
protector Of the stout servant
''Whom you insulted. You We're the
impertinent person who
II do not receive personal lessons,
monsieur. -
"It 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 were 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 fiancee.
It was his first duel, and he was q
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.
Halt" 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 q fist
fight; then some one separated the COM
hatants. 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 q
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 list for the
invitations to the soiree following the
betrothal. George was drinking cup
Of tea To explain his wound and his
arm being in sling-Aunt Herisson
had already eyed it suspiciously--he