Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-01-24

more, l tell you plainly that l can't get
up the slightest sympathy upon
finding you at breakfast in an easy
chair with a prick Of a swords point
in your shoulder; but I should have
been in despair If you had had the
misfortune to wound your adversary.
In Heavens name, how could he on
sent to fighty'
II forced him to it." said Robert,
sand I must admit that he acted nobly
and bravely."
At these words Marguerite's clear
blue eyes frightened and gave forth a
strange light.
"He acknowledged the wrong he had
done you," added Robert.
Robert. you've lost your wits!' cried
Marguerite with a gesture Of impa-
tience, but controlling herself, she con-
tinued: Brother, it's useless for us to
discuss this subject. Let us agree new
er again to revert to my NJ. Lacombe
or to your NJ. de Brevannes. Kindly
tell him that while his attentions honor
me. they displease me; that I have no
desire to marry, no ambition to become
his wife. AS for the explanation of
this mysterious adventure, let US look
upon it as a dream. Good-by, I'm 60
ing back tdD the country. Paris is no
place for me-"
But this compact between brother
and sister failed to give the matter it's
quietus. People kept up the gossip,
and the names of Andre and Marguer-
lite continued to be coupled together.
With. autumn came the announce
ment of Andres approaching mar
rage to Eugene Delanneau, a young
woman Of education, refinement, and
good social standing, and this an
nouncement set people talking more
than ever. The so-called scandal in
high life was raked up and raked Y
and at the very moment when Andres
mind was filled with visions Of con-
jugal happiness the storm burst upon
him. A letter from NJ. Delanneau an
nounced that this gentleman had just
returned from Fecamp, where he had
learned the full particulars of the de-
plOrable affair in which NJ. Lacombe
ASAu VAAy Nu So ulSAUAlOl a pdlI,
that as a careful and self-respecting
father Of a family, there was no
course open for him save to break off
the engagement between NJ. Lacombe
and his daughter at once, adding that
this action vas definitive, and that he
trusted that NJ. Lacombe would regard
1t as such, and make no attempt to
justify himself.
Nor was this all. The same evening
Andre was Informed that the govern
mentw was about to investigate his con-
duct: that the accusation as formu-
lated, charged him with having made
use Of his official position to destroy
the happiness Of one of the leading
families of the country, and hat in
all probability he would be dismiss
ed from the service.
Driven to desperation by these devel-
opments, Andre resolved to seek out
NJ. de Valmenier and demand from
him a full and complete explanation
OF this mysterious affair which, with
one blow had robbed him Of his
fancee and brought him in disfavor
with the government, to say nothing
OF forcing him to risk his life in a
ridiculous duel.
Robert had left Paris that morning
to be present at a fete to be given at
the Chateau Valmenier. Andre did
not hesitate a moment. He took the
next train and reached Bonneville at
eight. 1t was raining in torrents. An
open wagon drawn by a poor horse
was the only conveyance at his dis
posal. He did not finch at the pros
pect, but sprang into the wretched
vehicle and started for the chateau
eight miles away.
1t was after 10 ere the grand old me-
dieval structure doomed up ahead Of
him. Inspiteo of the pitiable condition he
was In, drenched to the skin, chilled
to the marrow, he could not keep himself
from hating and casting the eye Of the
skilled architect at the superb pile,
from whose arched windows streamed
q food Of soft light, playing fantastic
tricks with the deep shadows Of the
! night.
The old Marquis was holding court
and from their somber portraits his
hundred ancestors wers looking