The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-01-02
ABSOLUTELY PURE

bringing with him, or at least Harding
fancied it, a breath of that exquisite
violet perfume which had been haunting
Harding's memory for days and nights
together.
"Who is she-the young Lady in the
box where you've been?''
The abrupt inquiry and certain tim
bre of Harding's voice betrayed his
emotion to the quick creole.
"Oh, she-that is, Mile. Marie de
Montmartin. Lovely. isn't she?' You
might envy me, NJ Harding. She is my
betrothed." I"
"Ah"-Harding hesitated and pal
ish change passed over his face. Then
he coolly added: ST do envy you. Yes,
she is the most beautiful girl that have
ever seen. She is the one met in the
old book store door. You are quick to
6nd-"
The next day Rapin came to Hard
ing's room for his initial lesson, but the
young man begged 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-
iberately 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
ment was announced and the wedding
day approached.
Harding had 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-
tion.
At Garcia's door Harding came abb
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:
"M. Harding will not remember his
promise to teach me the mysterious
stroke of M. Duval."
At first Harding's heat Of temper was
great, but reflection led him to consult
his friends, who ridiculed the thought
of duel His northern friends were
unanimously opposed to the duel, but
now he must be frank and lay the mat
ter before his fancee's family.
"You must fight him, SIR" said
Montmartin.
tOf course there is but one way open
to gentleman" sighed Marie, lyon
must challenge him.
They met at sunrise under the "oaks"
SO well known to dueling history. Mer-
rily clinked their rapiers for honor's
sake and Marie's.
That was but about 40 years ago,
and yet what distancel What far
spin the world has made down the
"groove Of change" since theni
=
Yesterday a white haired man whose
shoulders dropped strangely and whose
two arms dangled half paralyzed beside
him walked down Royal street.
"That is Francois Rapin," said a
creole to some friends. "He got that
wound in the celebrated duel with Hard
ing"
"Y-e-e-s," drawled another of the
group, with queer little shrug,
"y-e-e-s, Mr.. Harding taught him the
stroke of ruin, ha, ha, ha! It is true,
is it not?''
Boyle Harding and his wife live in
Nice, where, in most comfortable cir
cumstances and well loaded with fame,
Harding writes his novels and plays
with his grandchildren. His wife is said
to be still beautiful and very domestic.
--Mauria Thompson in Vanity.