The Ravalli Republican., 1898-02-23

knave IL and the others according
to their face value the ace beng l.
Whoever scores 100 first shall take
up the pistol Simple, is it notY
Come, monsieur, seat yourself.
mol" said D'Aubigny, rising. Il
will fight duel, but not take part
in this melodranla | will go and
will send my seconds. .
"Not SO fast, said the major, lock-
ing the door. we shall fight as !
have ordained. Monsieur is not now
dealing with boy, the only COM
fort and stay Of his widowed moth
er.
''But / refuse,' said the bravo
loudly. This is a conspiracy. You
mean to murder me. have been
lured here to be murdered. y .-..
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. .a........ .......-
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 shu1fled and 90
of them dealt face downward one on
another between the two combat
ants. The next card was turned up
1t 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 80
, points; the major made but r.
), Again the cards were dealt. This
time D'Aubigny raised his score to
6S; the major had made but p.
,, D'Aubigny's spirits began to return,
: and Il thin smile came on his lips.
j, The major still sat cool and calm.
For tho third time the cards were
dealt, and the excitement Of the
three spectators was fast becoming
! horror as tho game neared it's con
clusion, and they watched each care
with q fascination that was almost
pain This time the major had five
trumps-quee1, king and knave-
: : and the third hand finished with the
= majors scoro at 81 and the duelist':
;, at 66
> D'Aubigny's confidence had gone
A single card could decide their fate
Il and his hand trembled. The majo:
. was a little paler, but still calm
!, D 'Aubigny, in his efforts to appea
L. calm, was CHASTITY to look upon. H
was sweating at every pore, as in
: deed were tho spectators. One Q
J. them afterwdrd gave his impress
/" sions He himself felt SO sick tina
= it was only by an effort that b
'e could remain at the table, and as h
y looked round on his companions h
- saw that their faces were white an
D drawn Nothing in all his life, nc
even the horrors of the battlefield
). ever made such an impression o
= him.
~ In perfect silence the cards wei
" ~ shutfled and dealt. Hearts wei
W " trumps. m. D'Aubigny, said tt
~ ~ umpire, speaking with difficulty ;"
~ = is your turn to play
= =. D'Aubigny glanced round the tt
- - BILE Then, with trembling finger
~ :, he took up a card and showed it.
- was the king of diamonds.
"Now, NJ Belvois. = And the m
d ior played his card, the three
as trumps.
he "D'Aubigny Sc, Belvois 81, - sa
the umpire hoarsely Again, l
on D'Aubigny. "
w This time the bravo showed II
nine of trumps; the majors cal
nc was worth ess.
'ct D'Aubigny 95, Belvois a.
called the umpire.
w Again they were bidden to pla
and the spectators, feeling that tt
y was the fatal moment, held the
breath, but neither drew trumps.
~. Again, monsieur : came t
command D'Aubigny:s tremblil
Id fingers could only pick up the ca
nsr at the third attempt. 1t was t.
two of trumps.
~, ID Aubigny 81, Belvois "a. No
u'e NJ Belvois .
Belvois iron nerve gave way
a moment but only for momel
yer He commanded himself, took
card and showed it. 1t was
IN queen Of hearts.
tn "Belvois 104, D'Aubigny 81. 7
game is to M. Belvois. y The du
hat rose from tho table. The two
i ficers rose also.
ny D'Aubigny sank back in his cha
wv the muscles of his face twitchi
is until it was too hideous to look
G,71Io,,7r- with 41,o or1y IF w