Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-04-12

dangerous an antagonist what may hap
pen.
Staub and Sakosky stared at each
other aghast. Such an off-hand pro-
ceediug took the breadth out of thea.
They reelected on the chance
unlikely. of course, bat still possible
of his proving himself the better shot of
the two. Rogue owed them IA regular
pot of money. and if he should chance To
fall by Symphorien's bullet, who would
pay their billsP"
Staub looked at Sakosky, Sakosky.
looked at Staub. II was enough. They
understood each other
Monsieur said the latter lin case
like yours the choice of seconds il "A mat
ter of great Importance. May | take
the liberty of inquiring the names OF
those who act in your behait?'
II have none as yet, replied the
young provincial; Il shall probably take
the first two soldiers meet; anyone, i'm
short. have no acquaiutances in Paris
to whom | can apply
Then. monsieur, said Staub, 81 may
venture 10 make You proposition.
Whenever nave leisure moment |
am generally To bee found in some shoot
ing gallery where our skilliui marksmen
congregate. Therefore a YOU are uu-
provided with seconds, if YOU viii con-
descend 10 accept my services and those
of VI. SakOsky--'
"WiNingiy, mousieurs,' Interrupted
Symphorieu. who desired nothing better.
you anticipate my wish AND save me
an inhuity OF trouble.
Three hours later the two principals
and their seconds, punctual to the min
ute, arrived AT the spot fixed upon Tor
the encounter.
What" exclaimed Rogue, me has
chosen your
lie could not do otherwise. You gave
him our names and addresses, and as ne
knows no one else in Paris he was
only too glad to avail himself OF our
services"
Roque's sense Of humor-small as it
was-was so irresstably tickled by the
absurdity of the situation that he
laughed outright. Encouraged by his
unusual geniaIty his two creditors be-
gan eloquently to implore him to be
merciful.
Consider, monsieur" urged Sakosky,
"if YOU deprive us of so excellent Gus
toner the loss it will be To both Of Us.
\ perfect treasure, who pays without
bargaining and before the goods are
delivered! These are hard times, NJ.
Roquew
Aud we have so many debts on our
books, NJ. Rogue" Staub added, in
sinuatingly.
There was a parley. Rogue was clear
ly perpieNed. He stood moment in
thought, evidently wavering between
passion and mirth Finally he walked
over to the outwardly calm Baliveau.
"M,psieur' said he, with courteous
bow, you are sharper witted than |
took you to be-" Eli? In what way,
monsieur Symphorien demanded.
You know how to save your skin
without compromising yourself But
see you, tell me what made you SO bent
on a duel last night?"
ambition, frankly confessed the pro-
vincial. 81 wanted to be celebrated and
saw no other way
All, YOU have the mania, too then?
So had | once till | outlived the folly.
Well, no matter; you've courage. and
your wish shall be gratitied more easily
and safely than mine was. Get into
my cabriolet When they see us re-
turning together people will say of you;
Behold the only man who ever went
out with Rogue and came back safe and
sound. Jump in before | change my
mind, which would be all the worse for
you"
Then, agreeably conscious that he
was the object of universal attention,
Baliveau proceeded 10 the Cafe de Paris
the restaurant most in vogue at that
time-where he lengthily diued, know
ing that every eye, from the waiter TO
the dame de compton, was fixed upon
him with an interest and curiosity that
satisfied, even beyond his anticipations.
his thirst for nOtoriety.
Alas for the unstableness of human
felicity. Next morning there was a
panic on the bourse When he entered
Tortoni's for breakfast no one noticed
him; they were too much absorbed in
the profits and the losses.
1t was the coup de grace to Baliveau's
brief celebrity and weary and dispirited
he returned to his province home
Commercial Gdzette.