The Ravalli Republican., 1898-02-23
A GAME FOR 4 LIFE.

paille impressed me With more nor
ror than the story, told with vivid
power, OF the encounter between
Major Belvcis and D'Aubigny, the
duelist.
According to my friend, D Aubig-
nv came of an old family that had
from the days Of Henri Quatorze
given France both soldiers and
statesmen, but Jean was q shame
and disgrace to the blood of hls an
cestors. When he chose, his speech
and manners were those of the arls
tocrat, and even at his worst he had
an air of distinction and a handsome
person, but it was all nero surface
polish, and from his youth up he
was living shame. He had won
derful abilities and was a poet Of no
mean caliber, but he was expelled
from school, and after a reckless
youth had to leave the army tie
had fortune which he squandered
in few years, after which he lived
by dinghy cheating, 1t was
whispered, though none dared open
ly accuse him, SO terrible had his
reputation become. -.....
Then began a career of infany
that one might almost say surpassed
that of any Of the bravos who
wrought desolation in France. Some
Of them had a qualm of pity at
times; D'Aubigny had none. lis
were the instincts Of a tiger dt
took delight in wanton cruelty
Depaille told me many stories
about him, with which will no.
trouble the reader, but come to the
GROWING tragedy of his career
which happened at Aix-les- Balns
whittier, at the height Of the sea
son, D'Aubigny came and struttet
about intimidating everybody 20
instance, wealthy but miserl.
shipbuilder who had come to AK t
take the waters was told one nigh
q gentleman wished to see him, an
the bravo was shown to his room.
Good evening, M. Allier?' h
said, with exaggerated politeness
"You are wealthy, | believer
"slightly, monsieur, slightly,
said the shipbuilder, rather pleasc'
that so notorious q man as tho duel
ist should notice him. -....
And |, monsieur, have had tn
misfortune to become penniless thl
evening through distressing circun
stances, said D'Aubigny, fixing hi
eyes on the shipbuilder.
II am sorry to hear it, y interrupt
ed the shipbuilder.
Nevertheless it is a fact, . re
torted the other. II suggest to yor
monsieur, that a loan of 1000
francs would be an act Of charity.
Poor Allier became pale, and h5
throat was very dry. Chin othe
circumstances | should be glad t
do you the favor, monsieur, but {
present have 200 francs | coul
place at your service for a sho1
time.
II said &c, DOOR, was the retort
the bravo
Monsieur, am sorry, but ! Cal
not.
LAS you will" said D'Aubigr
grimly as he rose. In that ca
monsieur wishes me to regard hi
as an enemy Very we'll. My Ell
mics never live long .=
The poor shipbuilder, almost pa
:alyzed with fright, tried to obta
better terms for himself, but t
bravo was alamant, and half
hour later he retired with $500
his pocket-a loan, as he euphein
tical1y termed it-and the shipbui1
er fed home early the next morni
lest he should be further bled
That same day Henri Coustans
lieutenant in the army, came to a
with his mother, who had just burr
her husband. Henri was an or
son, and he was devoted to
mother, even still one of the II,
beautiful women in France On t
evening Of the third day Of his vi
he was strolling alone along
promenade when he came up
D'Aubigny just AS the latter, w
had drunk freely at dinner, me
peasant girl, Il pretty young thi
of II or so D AubiSny plan
himself in front of her and uemu1
ed kiss before he would allow |
to pass. Greatly distressed. she
seeched him in vain to allow hel
pass, and when Henri came up
turned impIoring eyes on him. !
boy-tor he was nothing nor
recognizing the duelist, went to
Take my arm, he said to her, !;
then, turning to D'Aubigny {
speaking with great courte
Monsieur, am sure you do
understand that you are distress
this lady Kindly allow US to pas
D'Aubigny looked him over, Il
laughed insultingly oh, no, N
ter Jackanapes, he said, MIN
Ing the others courteous tol
"you have the impertinence to
terrupt a tete-atete! Begone, /
py, or will spoil your nice Ii
uniform''