The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1895-08-17
THE STROKE OF RUIN

chair On the Iron rallied Rail6ry winch
overhung the sidewalk and smoked slow
~, with half closed eyes. He was await
ing and expecting the arrival Of his
young friend, Francois Rapin, who had
lately interested him to q singular de
gree.
Even at the moment, up tie rncarpet.
ed stairway, camo the active c~reole's
feet. two step$ at a time, along with a
lively tune sung almost breathlessly
through a curving black mustache.
well. and what is it?" demanded
the New Yorker. "What have You found
out?'
Maybe she went to the French opera
Go with me. I have a box. Come
But haven't you yet seen herr"
Seen her. How should I know? NJ.
Harding forgets tho conditions BE
laughed in his atrociously frivolous
French way.
II bog pardon" said Harding quick
". II had Indeed forgotten that I did
no know her name, her place of resi-
aence, nor yet even the color Of her eyes.
Yes, I will go with you to the opera.
Everybody goes, eh?'
He had como south q fortnight past
with letters CT introduction to influen-
tial people, but he was not seeking So
ciety. A quiet ~sojourn in New Orleans
with his Eyes and ears open suited him
better.
What was perhaps just the thing he
would have most desired came to him
unexpectedly ono day. He suddenly met
IL beautiful young woman face to face at
the door Of Garcia's old book store.
Harding Yves electrified and impulsively
lifted his hat. She passed him with a
half smile, leaving a breath OF violets
and the rustic Of a gown quietly elegant
in the air round about.
A lover is a great fool, but he is tho
only man who knows what song it was
that the stars sang, and to him you
must go if you would learn the secret OF
Heavenly happiness and the valne CT
dreams as nutriment for the magma
ton. A lovers soul will treble it's
stature by feeding one moment ON q
smile.
III fact, Boyle Harding had felt this
sudden growth within. 1t had quicken
ed, broadened and swoetoned his spirit
ual vision, while a~ffording a fine and
richly mysterious increment to his en-
ioyrnont of his new surroundings.
This was midway IN the llties, when
New Orleans had reached tho splendid
zenith OF her wealth, and when the Pc
culiar color Of her social life was most
dazzling and romantic.
AS thoy went along Rapin was pratt.
ding on the subject CT fencing, always
a CREST vogae with the ~jeuuosse Goree
of New Orleans.
But yoa must be Interested in sword
play-ip fencing. 1t is t~h0noblcst Of all
exercises for gcnJloniul, and your phys
ique is precisely m-,-o UP for it. You
must be a master, " yea could bo."
II have had good masters" Harding
replied, in an evaa.vo tone, ''but l all
losing interest Ill it
"Your masters were III New York;
mo; Paris. l had NJ. Duval fol
three years"
"Ah, what f~ortrnei He, and he only
teaches the stroke Of ruin, tho ras
which pierces across from shoulder t.
snUu uQcf, NiSAblIAS tEo SiShAAA v AAS
vet never killing him!
And you learned his stroke! Oh, bu
| am overjoyed, and you viii teach II
to do it. An, monsieur, | shall be you
lifelong debtor. have dreamed Of tina
incoInparable thrust, | have made tw
Journeys to Paris to learn it; but, yo
must know, n. Duval is an ancient eu
envy of my fathers. 1 could not go t
him"
A great curve Of splendor, a fash c
faces, threats, bOsonis, jewels, laces
eyes, fans-a bewildering horizon
corsages. coitfures, necklaces, bracelets
rings; a foam of airy gowns sinkln
and swelling gently, like surf frot
against a beach Of fairyland. Hardin
gazed in half blinded stupidity, so /
felt, and could see no details, could NAL
out no individual face distinctly.
I'VE will begin the lessons tomo
row." murmuTed Rapln. Il shall be q
apt scholar, monsieur
EYES," said Harding absently. f
was gazing along the great sweep
beauty and light.
but xcuse me a moment or two,
the creole added after awhile, when Il
curtain was down. II am going to ca
at the box of a friend"
Harding continued his survey. whit
now that his eyes had somewhat accu
toned themselves to the glamour BEGAN
more real and absorbingly interesting
Presently he saw Rapin in q box.
MAGNIFICENT one. near the center. tai