The Press., 1894-07-05

one, for George de Sernay and his cous- in Mile. de 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 terior of the castle was still very beau tiful Mme de Saint-Juirs had died when her daughter Marcelle was 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 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- fuence 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?'' ''I was, monsieur.
 We were also, my friend and L. ''That does not interest me. "But it interests us. "
 "Well, you two converse about it and leave me ill peace.
 eff 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 '
 "It is pity" said George, flor 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 h1s parents and his fiancee.
 It was his first duel, and he was a 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 8 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 l 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 fist fight; then some one separated the com batants. 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 sigh of relief ~--.--.. -
 In the evening two days later the family were assembled ill the salon of the chateau. Aunt Herisson read the newspaper. M. de Saint Juirs and his daughter were making out a 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-h told that he had fallen from the top of a long flight of stone steps, His wound was made th,, pretext for thousand lit tie attentions from his gentle fiancee
 Marcelle put the sugar in his tea, stirred it, and I believe had her aunt's back been turned she would have tasted it for him, the rogue! Suddenly as Aunt Herisson read she became very pale and trembled with emotion. She held the paper close to her lamp and then dashed it on the floor.
 What is it?" asked M de Saint Juirs.
 ''It is, monsieur, that do not wish an assassin ill my house, And turning to George, ''Go immediately, never to returnp'
 M. de Saint-Juirs took up the paper and read aloud the paragraph of yester- days duel and of George receiving 8 wound.
 Profound silence followed. Aunt Herisson watched George and said at last angrily:
 Do you deny it, monsieur?''
 ''No, madame.
 ''Then I have told you what to do. ,"
 Marcelle commenced to sob.
 ''Marcelle, go to your roonag
 It is not possible" !" said George i'll 8 voice that was choked by tears.