The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-07
A DUEL WITH POISON
STARTLING TRAGEDY IN LOUISIANA
HIGH LIFE LONG A MYSTERY.
A Beautiful Creole Girl the Cause OF a
Challenge and the Men Decided the
Matter With Poisoned Capsules.

Death has at last released the secret of a
thrilling tragedy. the knowledge of which
had been buried in the souls Of three per-
sons for a decade. The passing away of
the last actor save two in the affair made
A. the duty of one OF the survivors to mar
rate the tale that has stirred sorue of the
first families Of Louisiana 10 their depths.
Although the names are disguised to save
the feelings Of relatives, the identity Of the
participants is recognized widely through
the South.
It was on an Easter Sunday morning
when a young gentleman belonging to one
Of the most distinguished Creole families of
Louisiana. after a late breakfast, thought
ne would 90 TO the old Cathedral of St.
Louis. He had just returned from a course
OF medical study in Paris. and it was his
first Sunday in his native city for almost
ten ears. Things had changed little he
noticed as he entered the portals of that
magnificent old church that has been the
House Of God under four flags. The great
choir OF the Cathedral was chanting the
last Of the sublime Easte service. The
vast church was full, and Louis De Valliere
had never realized how supremacy beautiful
were his country women until he saw that
perfectly attired crowd of lovely women
who. while engaged in worship. were not
LuDllu4lQl VI lie new IdSlCI Ouuudy
suits of their feminine neighbors.
As the vast crowd began 10 move the at
attention of the young man was particularly
attracted TO two women. Both were in, the
deepest black. They were evidently mother
and daughter. De Valliere had seen all of
the European types of beauty. The dark
eyed Greek girls from the Old Egean Isles,
famed in poetry and song for two thousand
years, were lovely, but their beauty was
merely physical, or sensual, whichever you
may choose. to call tin 1t there was no
soul. The face Of the girl he there saw
was of the purest ancient Greek-a perfect
oval. The complexion was like old ivory
or the white of the magnoli grandi1ora-
the clearest white known TO art, without
pallor. 1t was lighted by maryelously
lovely hazel eyeS-deep, bland and eloquent
At times you might read in them the
thoughts they showed as one sees divine
forms changing and fading in the opalescent
evening light Of sunset IN summer seas, and
again they could be as silent and as darkly
mysterious as those of the raighty mother
1t may be that De valliere's glance was
more ardent than the day and occasion
would permit, or the look of admiration
was too evident TO be misunderstood when
their eyes met. Thinking he might be an
acquaintance, as he looked. at her so. the
gentle face lighted with a half smile. See
ing her mistake in a moment, with a deep
blush she pulled her black veil over her
face and walked hurriedly away with her
A BETROTHED MAIDEN.
Within the week De valliere learned who
they were. The older was the widow Of
a. rich banker, who had been dead about
two years; the younger was her mothers
only child. All Of the young men of New
Orleans were hopelessly in love with the
charming girl. She was said to be be-
trothed to her cousin, a prominent planter,
and it was also reported that the marriage
would take place when the mourning Tor
her father was ended
De Valliere soon managed, through a girl
cousin. to meet the young woman. for he
had become desperately in love with her,
and told her so as soon as he could; she
nothing definite.
one evening six months after their first
reception. As the bride was his near
cousin, IL was permitted Mlie. Eulalie-for
this was her name-to waive the strlct
Creole etiquette governing such cases and
10 be present. De Vallere was promptly
on hand, as also was the gentleman 10
whom Eulalie was said to be betrothed.
Trhe evening was a lovely one. The spa
i cfouS grounds were beautifully lighted and
provided with seats for the ccommodation
of those who preferred the evening air
to the closeness Of the heated rooms. II
involved quite a good deal or diplomacy,
but De Valliere succeeded IN getting MADE naue-
ing her TO walk to the garden AS tnsy
stepped out into the air he felt the girls
arm tremble within his. and saw that she
was much agitated. Her eyes were turned
upon a tall. handsome man, in elegant
evening dress, whom De Valliere had noted
scoW1 upon the others handsome: dark
! face. As he turned away the girl SAID;
"Oh, take me back TO mammal. Armand VIII
never forgive me-"
De yalliere tried TO calm her and to
he found out that this man was Mile. Eu-
lalie's cousin, that her father had wished
they might marry, and that she, IN ne.
youth and ignorance had consented to an
engagement.
but now I can not. Oh. I can not!' she
moaned on neT mo' ,,edsrstood why without
three DAYS thereafter Louis De valliere
was sitting with some friends at the Pick
wick Club. then and now the most exclu-
sfve club OF New Orleans. 1t was just after
d dinesr' tar : They were enjoying the
after-dinner cigar and the cool sea breeze
on the clubs comfortable piazza. Among
the party was a young Loulsianan cap
tain. who had graduated at West Point.
and had made a distinguished record 10
eracefui fellow. with a distinguished air
and fine military bearing. A card was
handed TO him by a servant. =.
Excuse me for a moment' ne sdiu u
the others. and left.
CHALLENGED TO FIGHT.
In a few minutes he returned. with a
look of perplsxity and worriment on his
face.
DE valliere." he said. 'T am asked 10
| do something that gives me the greatest
pain. II Is to bear a challenge from NJ.
Armand to you. Have you any idea what
! it all means. for I have not? Had ii been
any other man living I should have per-
emptorilys declined. But he did me such
a service once that / can not refuse him
now. He says you will know why ne
challenges you. and refuses 10 give me any
explanation or information beyond that"
LET me think of it till morning, said
De. VALERIE. and I will look up a friend
and put myself in his hands,"
De Valliere slept but little that night
His father was opposed to d%uelling, and up
on his deathbed his son had made him a
solemn promise that he would never be
led into a duel But what was he TO do?
If he did not fight he knew he was socially
ruined: and he was no coward III he broke
his pledge TO his dying father. fought Ar
mand and happened to Kill him, how could
he ever look :nto the face OF Eulalie-the
face that had become so dear 20 him
again? What was he 10 do!
Suddenly a thought flashed upon him. Ii
was so wierd, so fend-like. IL seemed at
first that he would not entertain it,. He
determined. II he had TO meet Armand: 10
suggest his method of settling the anair,
as he had the choice of weapons. being the
challenged marty.