The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1895-08-17

moment
Harding's ayes were fixed. The trance
of that old time love which men used
to acknowledge was upon him. And at
the very central moment she turned
from Rapin and looked straight at him
The prosy fact was that Rapin in his
enthusiastic way had been telling Mile.
Marie de Montmartin that was her
name-about his good fortune in finding
q master to teach him tho "strOke Of
ruin." and he had directed her attention
to the young man in his box.
But for Mile. Marie dc Montmartin,
we may as we'll say that she glanced
mechanically, then looked again.
Rapin presently returned to the box.
bringing with him, or at least Harding
fancied it, q breath Of that exquisite
violet pe1fun1o which had been haunting
Harding's Asemory for days and nights
together.
"Who is she-the young Lady in the
box where you've been?"
The abrupt inquiry and a certain tim
bro Of Harding's voice betrayed his
emotion TO the quick creole.
ooh, she-that is, Mile. Mario de
Montmartin. Lovely, isn't she? You
might envy me, NJ. Harding. She is my
betrothed."
"Ah"-Hardiug hesitsted and a pal.
ish change passed over his face. Then
he coolly added: II do envy you. Yes,
she is tho most beautiful girl that I have
ever seen. She is the one I met in tbs
old book store door. You are quick to
find"
The next day Rapin came to Hard
ing's room fer his initial lesson, but the
young man begged q postponement He
was not feeling in good form, he said.
and was averse to exercise.
And now Harding's powerful letters
Of introduction came into play. The
only son Of General Stanope Harding
had the key to open even the exclusive
gate of the mansion wherein the ancient
family traditions of Montmartin were
kept in an atmosphere Of their own.
We must acquit him. He did not de-
Gberately seek to gain her affections.
Indeed there was no need to seek. She
claimed him at sight, and the way was
loves sweetest path. Rapin was forgot
ten.
SO. in due course Of time, the engage
mont was announced and the wedding
day approached.
Harding had a desire to go again to
the Old book store of Garcia, On Royal
street, and have his first meeting with
Marie over once more in his imagina-
ton.
At Garcia's door Harding came alb
ruptly face to face with Francois Rapin,
whom he had not seen since the an
nouncement of the coming %nuptials.
Harding stopped short in his tracks
and would have probably put forth his
hand in a friendly offer Of salutation,
but Just then his hat was lightly tapped
from his head by Rapin, who immedi-
ately picked it up and handed it to him,
saying:
I'M. Harding will not remember his
promise to teach me the mysterious
stroke Of NJ. Duval."
At first EIard-ng'g heat Of temper was
great, bnt reelection led HIM to consult
his friends, who ridiculed the thought
Of a duel. His northern friends were
unanimously opposed to the duel, bat
now he must be frank and lay the mat
ter before ms ii0ncc0'H family.
lyon must fight him, SIR" said
E%ontnlartin,
"Of course there is but way open
to q gentloman," sighed Mario, "you
must challenge him
They met at sunrise under the "oaks'
50 well known to duoling history. Mer'
rily clinlced lheir rapiers for honor'e
sake and Maric's.
That WIS but about 40 years ago
and yet what a distance! What q fa1
sp'n the world has made down tht
''groove Of change" since theni
Yesterday a white haired man vh:cs'
shoulders dropped strangely and whose
two arms danglod half parulyzed beside
him walked down Royal street.
"That is Francois Rapin,' said
creole TO some friends. "Ee cot tina
wound in the celebrated duel with Eard
ing"
"Y-e-e-s," drawled another of tn
group, with a queer little shrug
''y-o-e-s, Mr.. Harding taught him th
stroke Of rum ha, ha, ha! 1t is true
is it not?'
Boyle Harding ard his wife live il
Nice, where, in most comfortable Gil
cunst4nces and well loaded with fame
Harding writes his novels and play
!, with h grandchildren. His wife is sal
, to 30 still beautiful and very domestic
, -Mauria Thompson in Vanity.