Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1895-02-06
HIS AMBITION.

Of July. l8--. the floating population OF
Paris was modestly increased by the ar
rival in that city from his native prov
ince of Symphorien Baliveau
The owner of this curious and not en-
tirely euphonious patronymic was a
young man Of about 25 years, neither
handsome nor ugly. fat nor lean--the
tpye, in fact, that one daily elbows on
the bouleyards and never looks at twice.
Ineed not add, of course, that such was
not his own opinion. On the contrary,
he was deeply impressed with the con-
seriousness of his own charms and equal
" determined to profit by them for the
attainment of the object of his ambition
--notoriety.
Everything is in my favor, said he,
good looks, money and determination
to succeed All want is short out TO
celebrity A duel will give me that. !"
The next evening while he was treat
ing himself to bavaroise at Tortoni's
short, muscular individual. dressed in
the latest mode. with bristling mus
tache and self satisfied air, took his
seat at an adjoining table.
The provincial after critical inspec-
ton of the newcomer rose from his chair.
and saluting him courteonsly requested
him to favor him with the address of
his tailor.
The stranger glanced askance at his
questioner.
"Why?" inquired he CURLY.
because | am struck, monsieur, =
said Symphorien, with the good taste
of your costume. That green coat with
silver buttons becomes you so admira-
bly,"
lyon think so7 Well, your wish can
be easily gratified, for chance to have
card of my tailor in my pocket. Be-
hold iti''
Thanks, monsieur. May ask If you
have also the address of your shoemaker
in your pocket?''
"The Same thing is in my pocket.
monsieur" the little man answered,
with great suavity, and tearing out a
leaf from his notebook he wrote on it
the required address and handed it to
Baliveau.
is there any more you desire to
know, monsieur"
"Only this-your hatter's name. if l
may be so bold?''
"That, regret to say. sir, cannot
afford You tonight. / have it at home.
and tomorrow morning two of my
friends will bring 1t to you If you will
kindly oblige me with your address. -
with pleasure, monsieur" replied
Symphorien. Here is my card. "
"And here, monsieur, is mine.
Nothing could be BETTER" thought
Baliveau as. exchanging polite bow
with the stranger and paying for his
bavaroise. he strolled leisurely out and
down the boulevard.
He drew the card from his pocket. APP
preached a lighted window, and on the
little square of pasteboard, in clear,
sharp etching, read, Martial Rogue. +"
"Roquel" said he, starting back and
paling visibly 1.-THE great duelist, who
never misses his man, but either spits
him with a thrust impossible to parry
or brings him down with bullet sent
evenly between the eyes. Bon DieuI
What mistake I've made. all for the
sake of little celebrity. I'll be cele-
brated tomorrow. that is certain. But
what good will it do me if I'm not
there to see it,?
A secluded spot on the Bots de Bou.
logne--less frequented in those days
than now-agreed upon at 4 o'clock in
the afternoon, proposed and accepted
NJ. Roque's friends announced that their
principal. having the choice of weapons,
selected pistols, and this formality over
left Symphorien to his meditations,
none of the cheerfulest. as you can see.
While ruefully rejecting on whom be
could apply to in his dilemma, be
chanoed to pull from his pocket the two
addresses given him by Rogue
And without seconds delay he dis
patched q message to MN. Staub and
Sakosky, the fashionable tailor and boot
maker of that epoch. requesting Their
immediate attendance at the hotel where
he was stopping.
Thirty minutes later they were there
and as wise measure of Cancellation
| Symphorien was no fool, after all--hs
| gave them an order considerably largo
| than they were wont to receive, ever
from their most extravagant customer
| Then, the necessary selections and meas
uTements made. he amazed them still
more by demanding the amount Of the
| bill, as he desired to settle il beforehand
With one accord they protested agains
| the need Of so speedy settlement The,
had every confidence in monsieur's solv
| ency and were not in the slightes
| hurryi
"That may be-. replied be, "but
| am. have duel this afternoon Will
| Martha Rogue. and. though am no nov
| ice in such matters and have caught /
swallow on the wing many and many /
| time. one cannot be sure with so dan
gerous an antagonist what may hap
| pen.
1 Sfaub and Sakosky stared at each 9th
| er aghast Such an offhand proceeding
| took the brrafh out Of them
| They reflected on the chance-mos
unlikely Of course. but still possible-o'
his proving himself the better shot O
| the two Roqne owed them regulal
| pot Of money. and il he should chanc'
20 fall By Symphorien's bullet VII,
| would pay their bills2
Staub locked At Sakoslyy. Sakosk,
looked at Staub Il was enough The
understood zach other.
MonkiEal. said the lafter. ''in /
n