Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1895-07-19

only son OF General Stanhope Harding
bad the key to open even tho exolu.
sivs gate of the mansion wherein tho
ancient family traditions Of Montmar-
tan were kept in an atmosphere OF
their own. Here tho young man
found Mile. Marie even moro fascinat.
ing than his imagination had pictured
her.
We must noquit him; he did not do
liberately seek to gain her affections I;
indeed, there was no need to seek sho
claimed him Mt sight, aud the way was
loves sweetest path. Rapin was for
gotten as merely conventional lover
must always BIO when tho truo one
comes rushing in oil aglow and all
powerful.
Mario's parents, were delighted.
There was no obstacle, religious or
other, and nm alliance with tho Hard
ing family was something to be proud
of. So, in duo course of time, tho en-
gagement was announced and tho we'd
ding day approached.
Harding had been to New York; ho
returned late in November, radiant
with happy aspirations. and took
rooms as before, but now in tho st.
Charles. He brought some friends
with him, and his parents would DO
coming q little later.
have snid that lover is fool.
His vanity, moreover, cannot DO over.
estimated, and tho selfishncss of his
passion plays him small yet irresisti.
BILE tricks. Harding had dosiro to
go again to the old book store OF
Garcian, on Royal street. and have his
first meeting with Mario over once
moro i'll his Imagination. He slipped
away from tho hotel furtively and
with n foolish stir in his blood.
Tho morning was like summer q
dream, clothing the old CITY in films
of chnstenod splendor. Up and down
tho narrow streets clacked tho high
heeled boots of tho little creoies.
Fruit stands, hcaped with luscious or
anges, bananas, apples, dashed tho mir
with rich bouquet, and there wero
roses everywhere. Harding held his
head high anil walked swiftly.
When We go to sock an illusion wo
are pretty sure TO find n rpality. 1t is
not the scheme OF nature to humor us
in luxuries. At Garoian's door Hard
ing came abruptly face to faco with
Francois Rnpin, whom ho had not
seen since the announcement Of tho
coming nuptials. Somehow it was ~
surprise, but Rapin's face showed
quick smile.
Harding stopped short in his TRICKS,
and would hnvo probably put forth his
hand i'll friendly offer of salutntion;
but just thon his hat was lightly tapped
from his head by Rapin, who immetli-
ately picked it up and handed it to
him, saying:
monsieur Harding will now ro-
member his promise to tench me the
mysterious etrolio of NJ. Duval."
He bowed low and was gone, whlo
n card fluttered down Mt Harding's
feet; it bore Rnpin's address.
At first Hnrding's hent of temper
was great, but reflection led him to-
consult his friends, who riliculcd tho
thought of duel. He WAS glad to
escape, for, although born fighter,
this WINS no time to be risking his life
or to DO killing man.
He had, however, consulted but ono
side OF that advisory board which al
ways exists in such cases. His North
ern friends were unanimously opposed
to the duel, but ho must be frank aud
lay the matter before his iianceu',
family.
"Yon must fight him, SIR" said
Montmartin.
"Of course, there is but ono way
open to gentleman" sighed Mario;
"you must challenge him."
The Montmartin household and nil
the Montmartin circle were as n unit
on this point. No evasion was to DO
considered, since RapIn smilingly re-
fused to apologize, and 80 Harding
sent the challenge, which was promptly
accepted.
They met ut sunrise under tho
"oaks" SO we'll known to duelling his
tory. Merrily clinked their rnpiers
for honor's sake and NIarie's. That
was but about forty years ago; and
yet what distance What fnr spin
the world has made down the "grooyn
of change" since then! Farrngut and
Butler have been in the city tho 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; SEQ
the bales OF cotton. the hosshoa,ls, tho
barrels, tho bags on the leyee! Au.l
there are no moro duels.
Yesterday n white haired man, whose
shoulders dropped strangely, anil
whose two arms daugled hal -parnlyzed
beside him, walked down Royal street.
"That is Francis Rapin," said
creole to some friends. edo got that
wound in tho celebrated duol with
Harding"
"Y-e-o-s." drawled another OF tho
group, with queer little shruy.
"Ye-c-s, Mr.. Harding taught him tho
stroke of rnin,' hal hal c'est vral,
nest CO pas?"
L followed with curious gnze the re.
treating form of Rpm, recalling Mt
the same time that Boyle Harding an
his wife were now living in Nice,
whore, in most comfortable circum.
stances and well loalel with fans,