Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-06-04

family was something to be proud of,
SO i'll due course of time the engage.
ment was announced and the wedding
day approached.
Harding had been to New York. He
returned late in November, radiant with
happy aspirations, and took rooms as
before, but now in the St. Charles He
brought some friends with him, and his
parents would be coming a little later.
have said that a lover is fool. His
vanity, moreover, cannot be overesti-
mated, and the selfishness Of his passion
plays him small yet irresistible tricks
Harding had q desire to go again to the
old book store of Garcin, on Royal
street, and have his first meeting with
Marie over once more in his imagina
ton. He slipped away from the hotel
furtivoly and with a foolish stir in his
blood.
The morning was like summer s
dream, clothing the old city in films of
chastened splendor. Up and down the
narrow streets clacked the high heeled
boots Of the little creoles Fruit stands
heaped with luscious oranges, bananas,
apples, dashed the air with a rich bou-
quet, and there were roses everywhere.
Harding held his head high and walked
swiftly.
When we go to seek an illusion, we
are pretty sure to find a reality. 1t is
not the scheme of nature to humor us
in Injuries At Garcin's door Harding
came abruptly face to face with Fran
co.'s Rnpin, whom he had not seen since
the announcement of the coming nup-
tials. Somehow it was a surprise, but
Rapin's face showed quick smile.
Harding stopped short in his tracks
and would have probably put forth his
hand in friendly offer of salutation,
but just then his hat was lightly tapped
from his head by Rapin, who immedi-
atcly picked it up and handed it to him,
saying:
monsieur Harding will now remem-
Der his promise to teach me the mystic
rious stroke Of NJ Duval. "
He bowed low and was gone, while a
card tiuttercd down at Harlinr's feet.
1t bore Rapin' address.
At first Harding heat of temper was
great, but reflection led him to consult
his friends, who ridiculcd the thought
of a duel. He was glad to escape, for,
although born fighter, this was nc
time to be rislling his life or to be kill.
ing Il man.
He had, however, considered but ono
side Of that advisory board which al
ways exists in such cases. His northern
friends were unanimously opposed tC
the ducls, but now he must be frank
and lay the matter before his fiancoe's
family.
"You must fight him, sir" said Mont
martin
"Of course there is but one way opel
to a gentleman" sighed Marie, "yor
must challenge him.
The Montmartin household and al
the Montmartin circle We're as a uni
on this point No evasion was to be
considered, since Rapin smilingly re
fused to apologize, and so Harding sen
the challenge, which was promptly ac
ceptcd.
They met at sunrise under the "oaks
so we'll known to dueling history Mer
rily clinkcd their rapicrs for honor
sake, and Maric's. That was but abou
40 years ago, and yet what a distance
What far spin the world has made
down tho "groove of change" since then
Farragut and Butler have been i'll thu
CITY; the reconstruction terror has come
and gone; the reassertion of state author
ity followed the victory of the cltlzen
over the alien soldiers; the lottery i
gone; the city is rich once moro. SCI
the bales of cotton, the hogsheads, thu
barrels, the bags on the lcvce! And ther'
are no more ducls.
Yesterday Il white haired man who's
shoulders dropped strangely and who's
two arms danglcd half paralyZcd bcsid
him walked down Royal street.
"That is Francois Rapin,' said ;
creole to some friends. "Hc got tina
wound in the celebrated duel with Hard
ing"
"Y-c-o-s," drawlcd anothcg of tn
group, with queer little shrug, "y-e-c-s
Mr.. Harding taught him the stroke o
ruin, ha, la, ha! C'est varai, nest C.
pass
followed with curious gaze the re
treating form of Rapil, recalling at tn
same time that Boyle Harding and hi
wife We're now living i'll Nice, where
in most comfortable circumstances am
we'll loaded with fame, Harding write
his novels and plays with his grand
children. His wife j. said to be still
beautiful and very Observation-Disclosures
Thompson in Vanity.