Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-06-19

returned late in November, radiant
with happy aspirations, and took
rooms as before, but now in the St.
Charles. He brought some friends
with him, and his parents would be
coming little later.
have said that q lover is fool.
His vanity, moreover, cannot be over
estimated, and the selfshness of his
passion plays him small yet irresisti-
bic tricks. Harding had desire to
go again to the old book store of
Garcian, on Royal street, and have his
first meeting with Marie over once
more in his Imagination. He slipped
away from the hotel furtively and
with foolish stir in his blood.
The morning was like q summers
dream, clothing the old city in films
of chastened splendor. Up and down
the narrow streets cIacked the high
heeled boots of the little creoles.
Fruit stands, heaped with luscious or
anges, bananas, apples, dashed the mir
with rich bouquet, and there were
roses everywhere. Harding held his
head high anil walked swiftly.
When we 60 to seek an illusion we
are pretty sure to find q reality. 1t is
| not the scheme of nature to humor rs
in luxuries. At Garcian's door Hard
ing came abruptly face to face with
Francois Rapin, whom he had not
seen since the announcement of the
coming nuptials. Somehow it was o
surprise, but Rapin's face showed o
quick smile.
Harding stopped short in his tracks,
and would have probably put forth his
hand in friendly offer of salutation; ;
but just then his hat was lightly tapped
from his head by RapiD, who immedi-
ately picked it up and handed it to
him, saying:
"Monsieur Harding will now re-
member his promise to teach me the
mysterious stroke of NJ. DuVal. F"
He bowed low and was gone, whilo
card futtered down OF Harding's
feet; it bore Rapin's address.
At first Harding's heat of temper
was great, but ref lection led him to
consult his friends, who ridiculed the
thought of duel. He was glad to
escape, for, although born fighter,
this was no time to be risking his life
or to be killing man.
He had, however, consulted but one
side of that advisory board which al
ways exists in such cases. His North
ern friends were unanimously opposed
to the duel, but he must BE frank and
lay the matter before his fancee's
family.
"You must fight him, sir" said
Montmartin.
"Of course, there is but ono way
open T. gentleman" sighed Marie;
ssyou must challenge him.
The Montmartin household and all
the Montmnrtin circle were MS unit
on this point. No evasion was to be
considered, since Rapin smilingly re-
fused to apologize, and so Harding
sent the challenge, which was promptly
accepted.
They met at sunrise under the
"oaks" SO we'll known to duelling his
tory. Merrily clinkcd their rapiers
for honor's sake and Marie's. That
was but about forty years ago; and
yet what distance! What far spin
the world has made down the "groove
OF change" since then! Farragut and
Butler hayo been in the city; the re.
construction terror has come and gone;
the reassertion of State authority fol-
lowed the victory Of the citizens over
tho alien soldiers; the lottery has
gone; the city is rich once more; see
the bales OF cotton, the hogsheads, tho
barrels, the bags on the levee And
there are no moro duels.
Yesterday o hite-haired man, whose
shoulders dropped strangely, and
whose two arms dangled half-paralyzed
beside him, walked down Royal street.
sThat is Francis Rapin," said a
creole to some friends. "He got that
wound in the celebrated duel with
Harding"
"Y-e-e-s," drawlcd another OF the
group, with q queer little shrug.
"Y-e-e-s, Mr.. Harding taught him the
'stroke of ruin,' la! ha! cost vral,
nest &C pas?"
followed with curious gaze the re-
treating form of Rapiu, recalling at
the same time that Boyle Harding and
his wife were now living in Nice,
where, in most comfortable circum-
stances and we'll loaded with fame,
Harding writes his novels and plays