The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1896-01-04

bringing with him, or at least Harding
fancied it, breath Of that exquisite
violet perfume which had been haunting
Hartling's memory for days and nights
together.
''who is she-the Young lady in the
box where you've been?'
The abrupt inquiry and a 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"
"Ah"-Harding hesitated and pal
ish change passed over his face Then
he coolly added: II do envy you Yes.
she Is the most beautiful girl that I have
ever seen. She is the one met in the
old book store door. You are quick to
ind"
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-
hberately 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 e
the old book store Of Garcia. ON Roya
street, and have his first meeting viii
Marie over once more in his imagina
ton.
At Garcia's door Harding came alb
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 track
and would have probably put forth hi
hand in o friendly offer Of salutation
but Just then his hat was lightly tappe'
from his head by Rapin, who immedi
ately picked it up and handed it to him
saying:
m. Harding will not remember hi
promise to teach me the mysteriou
stroke of NJ. Duval"
At first Harding's heat of temper wa
J great, but reflection led him to consu
/ his friends, who ridiculed the though
of duel His northern friends We,
3 unanimously opposed to the duel, BIT
8 now he must be frank and lay the ma
i ter before his fiancee's family.
I "You must fight him, sir, sal
Montmartin.
: "Of course there is but one way ope
5 to a gentleman" sighed Marie, "ye
a must challenge him"
They met at sunrise under the "oaks
5 SO we'll known to dueling history. Me
l. rily clinked their rapiers for honor
: sake and Marie's.
d That was but about 40 years az
l. and yet what a distance! What I
spin the world has made down &
n groove Of change" since then!
d
E. Yesterday white haired man who
st shoulders dropped strangely and who
two arms dangled half paralyzed best
T. him walked down Royal street.
- THAT is Francois. Rapin," said
% creole to some friends. He got tn
wound in the celebrated duel with HaI
d ing"
II "Y-e-e-s," drawIed another Of
s. group, with a queer little shirt
n "y-e-e-s, Mr.. Harding taught him
stroke Of ruin, ha, ha, ha! 1t is tn
q is it not?''
N Boyle Harding and his wife live
Nice, where, in most comfortable C
cumstances and well loaded with fan
u Harding writes his novels and pl'
with his grandchildren His wife is $;
?, to be still beautiful and very domest
So -Mauria Thompson in Vanity.