Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-04-12
AUNT HERISSON.

Two Young men, mounted on valuable
steeds, burst into laughter as they left
the Viehy road to take the one through
the forest.
They certainly anolred generosity, but
grille, 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
q warlike womsn.
The young 1nen 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, thu brisk air and also the in
dignatson had beautiHed her complexion
and given brilliancy to her blue eyes
Her nostrik palpitated like the heart Of
a wounded bird She bit her lip and
stood up!in her stirruR all trembling
with anger.
The young men approached her ALT
tie abashed One Of them opened his
mouth, but had not time tospeak before
Q youpgman rode up behind them and
gGvetheir horses two vigorous cuts with
awhip. Being fine animals, they tore
down the road on gallon resisting the
effortssof their chagrined riders tostop
them.
'sNcw, cousin, +" said the young man,
saluting her, 'let Us return" And the
ride back to the ohatesn was alhappy
one, for George de Sernsy and his cous-
I'm Mile. de Saint-Juirs were engaged,
andtnsither doubted that the little Incl
dent was ended, not knowing how much
sadness 1t would cause them.
The parents Of the young cousin lived
ina veritable chateau, but likeGyrille
and Leda il 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 8 years
old. Her sister Herisson had cared for
the child as though she had been her
own. Mile Herisson had neyer'oared to
marry. She was very pious. She was
continually in a discussion with NJ de
6aint-Juirs because years before he
fought duel in the garden behind the
chateau, and she looked upon ihim as q
criminal
When Marcelle was 90, her;annt tried
to induce her not to marry, hat all in.
fuence was useless Marceile, aftel
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 Casinosof 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 L"
"That does not interest me-"
"But it interests u.s."
"Well, You two converse about il
and leave me in peace"
''n 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"
SIT is pity" said George. '+foryor
need them"
"You are an insolent person.
George raised his arm, but controlled
himself and said between his teeth:
Consider yourself challenged, mon
sieuS."
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
tolhls parents and his fiancee.
It was his first duel, and he was q
little afraid. The next morning OF the
rendezvous he found the places marked
of and the referee holding the swords
by the pointa He presented them TO the
dueliats, and drawing back quickly said,
Proceed, gentlemen.
George heard q bird sing joyously
near him He thought Of Marcelle and
advanced
His adversary stood STILL held his
sword out straight and simply warded
of 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 "a
finish it.
He threw himself ON his adversary,
whose swords point cut deep into his
hand For few minutes II was a fist
fight; then some one separated the COM
batants. Although George was bleeding
badly, he wished 70 continue, bnt his
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