The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-01
1iower Of perfect manhood wlth a face never

to be forgotten by any woman.
Rapin presently returned to the box.
fancied it, a breath of that exquisite violet
perfume which had been haunting Harding's
memory for lays and nights together.
Who ds she-the young lady in the box
where you've been?"
The abrupt inquiry and a certain timbre
of Harding's voice betrayed his emotion to
oh, she1that is MlIey Marie De Montmar-
tin. Lovely, isn't sheE You might envy me,
M. Harding. She is my betrothed"
change passed over his face. like a lsece-
cloud over some gloritied space of sky. Then
he coolly added: i do envy you. Yes. she
is the most beautiful girl that 1 have ever
seen. She is the one / met in the old book
store door. You are quick to find"
Thank you" he said, as the curtain went
up and the prima donna strobe forth with a
superb swing.
| rooms for his initial lesson: but the young
man begged a postponement; he was not
feeling in good form, he said, and was
And now Harding's powerful letters of in
PRODUCTION 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. Here the young man found Mile.
Marie even more fascinating than his mag
ination had pictured her.
We must acuuit him: he did not deliber-
atelv 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 forgotten as a merely
conventional lover must always be when
the true one comes rushing in ali aglow and
all-powerful.
was no obstacle, relSgious or other, and an
alliance with the Harding family was some
thing to be proud of. SO. in due course of
time, the engagement was announced and
the wedding day approached.
Harding had been to New York: he re-
L----1 a. to NAxnrnh4~ If,r vff6
happy aspirations. and took rooms as be-
fore, but now in the st. Charles. He
brought some friends with him, and his
parents would be coming a little later.
L have said that n lover is n fool. His
vanity, moreover, cannot be oVerestimated,
and the selfishness of his passion plays him
desire to go again to the old book store
of Garcin. on Royal street. and have his
in his imagination. He slipped away from
the hotel furtively and with a foolish stir
in his blood.
The morning was like a summers dream,
clothing the old city in films of chastened
splcndor. Up and down the narrow streets
ciacked the high-heeled boots of the little
oranges, bananas. apples dashed the air
with a rich bouquet, and there were roses
everywhere. Harding held his head high
ard walked swiftly.
When we 60 to seek an illusion we are
pretty sure to find a reality. 1t is not the
scheme of nature to humor us in luxuries.
At Garcin's door Harding came abruptly
face to face with Francois Rapin, whom he
bad not seen since the announcement of
the coming n~uptials. Somehow it was a
surprise, but Rapin's face showed a quick
smile. ~
| would have probably put forth his hand in
a friendly offer of salutation. but just then
his bat was sig lightly nSn, tapp ed from 0Inka his i head az
and handed it to him, saving:
Monsieur Harding will now remember
his promise to teach me the mysterious
stroke of M DuVa1.'
He bowed low and was gone. while a card
f~uttered down at Harding's feet. 1t bore
Rapin's address.
At first Hardlng's heat of temper was
great. but reflection led him to consult his
friends, who ridicuied the thought OF a duel.
He was glad to escape. for. although a born
fighter, this was no time to be risking his
life or to be killing a man.
He had. however. considered but one side
| of that advisory board which always exists
in such cases. His Northern friends were
unanimously opposed to the duels. but now
he must be frank and lay the matter be-
fore his iancee's family.
you must fight him, SIR" said Mont
martin.
"Of course, there is but one way open to
a gentleman" sighed Marie, you must
challenge him.
Montmartin circle were as a unit on this
point. No evasion was to be considered,
since Rapin smilingly refused to apologize,
and SO Harding sent the challenge, which
was promptly accepted.
They met at sunrise under the "oaks" so
Well-knOWn to duel1ng history. MerrllV
clinked their rapiers for honor's sake, and
Marie's. That. was but about forty years
ago; and yet what a distance! What a far
spin the world has made down the groove
Of change since then! Farragut and But
Ter have been in the city; the reconstruc-
ton terror has come and gone; the reas-
sertion of State authority followed the VIC
tory of the citizens over the alien soldiers;
the lottery is, gone; the city is rich once
more; see the bales of cotton. the hog sheads.
the barrels. the bags on the levee! And
there are no more duelS.
Yesterday a white-haired man whose
shoulders drooped-strangely and whose two
arms dangled half paralyzed beside him
walked down Royal street.
THAT is. Francois Rapin,' said a creole to
some friends. ].FHe got that wound in the
celebrated duel with Harding"
"Y-e-e-s," drawled another of the group,
with a queer little shrug, "y-e-e-s, Mr..
Harding taught him the stroke of ruin
ha! ba! hal c'est varai, nest ce pas?'
I followed with curious gaze the retreating
form of Rapin, recalling at the same time
that Boyle Harding and his wife were now
living in Nice; where. in most comfortable
circumstance and. well loaded with fame.
Harding writes his, novels and plays with his
grandchildren. His wife is said to be still
beautiful and very domestic.
Maurice Thompson, in Vanity.