The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-11-10

to their face value, the ace being l..
Whoever scores 100 first shall take
up the pistol Simple, is it not9
Come, monsieur, seat yourself.
MOP said D'Aubigny, rising u
will fight a duel, but not take part
in this melodrama. I will go and
will send my seconds. -
"Not so fast, said the major, lock.
ing the door. I'VE shall fight as ]
have ordained. Monsieur is not now
dealing with boy, the only com,
fort and stay of his widowed moth.
er.
"But I refuse" said the bravo
loudly. "This is a conspiracy. You
mean to murder me. I have been
lured here to he murdered. L."
The major looked at him for some
moments. mo, you cannot under
stand honor" he said, "but we will
have some one whom you can
trust. And he sat down, wrote a
note and sent it by one of his COM
rades. II have asked the Duo de
Clogny to join us. Perhaps mon
sieur will have confidence in him. :"
The duelist scowled, but did not
reply.
In a short time the duke came,
and the major, after apologizing
explained the circumstances.
The five seated themselves at the
table, and then began one of the
grimmest duels that were ever
fought.
The duke, at the majors request,
took the Office of umpire, and in 81
lence the cards were shuffled and %
of them dealt face downward one Oh
another between the two combat
ants. The next card was turned up
It was a spade.
One by one at the umpire's COM
mand the opponents showed their
cards. The bravo had the queen
and nine of spades, thus scoring %
points; the major made but 12.
Again. the cards were dealt. This
time D'Aubigny raised his score to
6S;; the major, had made, but 2l.
,D'Aubigny's spirits began toreturn,
and thin smile came on his lips.
The major still sat cool and calm.
For the third time the cards were
dealt, and the excitement of the
three spectators was fast becoming
horror as the game neared its con:
clusion, and they watched each card
with a fascination that was almost
pain. This tins the major had five
trumps-queen, king and knave-
and the third hand finished with the
majors score at 81 and the duelist's
at sc.
D'Aubigny's confidence had gone.
A single card could decide their fate,
and his hand trembled. The major
was little paler, but still calm.
D'Aubigny, in his efforts to appear
calm, was gh0 silly to look upon. He
was sweating at every pore, as in
deed were the spectators. One OF
them afterward gave his impres.
sions. He himself felt so sick that
it was only by all effort that he
could remain at the table. and as he
looked round on his companions he
saw that their faces were white and
drawn. Nothing in all his life, not
even the horrors of the battlefield,
ever made such. an impression on
him.
In perfect silence the cards were
shuhaed and dealt. Hearts were
trumps. IN. D'Aubigny," said the
umpire, speaking with difficulty, lit
is your turn to play.
D'Aubigny glanced round the ta-
ble Then, with trembling fingers,
he took up card and showed it. 1t
was the king of diamonds.
Nov, M. Belvois. And the ma.
jor played his card, the three Of
trumps.
"D'Aubigny Sc, Belvois 81" said
the umpire hoarsely. Again, M.
D'Aubigny."
This time the bravo showed the
nine of trumps; the majors card
was worthless.
"D'Aubigny s5, Belvois e4,"
called the umpire.
Again they were hidden to play,
and the spectators, feeling that this
was the fatal moment, held their
breath, but neither drew trumps.
Again, monsieur, :" came the
command. D'Aubigny's trembling
fingers could only pick up the card
at the third attempt. 1t was the
two of trumps.
"D'Aubigny 81, Belvois "a. Now,
NJ. Belvois "
Belvois iron nerve gave way for
a moment, but only for a moment.
He commanded himself, took his
card and showed it. 1t was the
queen of hearts.
"Belvois 1O4, D'Aubigny 81. The
game is to- M. Belvois. " The duke
rose from the table. The two Of
fcerS rose also.