The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-03-24


 bre, to which he had taken strong fancy. This laudable desire was not destined to be realized, however, for he was himself killed in a duel, under strange circumstances, few days af- ter the death of his eleventh and last victim.
 On the evening of a masked ball at the Grand Theater at Bordeaux, Laril- Here was seated in the adjoining cafe. It was about eleven o'clock, and the count, not being in a very quarrel some humor, was occupied in peaceful- ly imbibing a glass of punch. Sudden ly tall young man, wearing blacK domino and black velvet mask, entered the room and strode up to the table at which the formidable count was seat ed
 No particular notice was taken of the newcomer at first, but no sooner was he observed to be in close vicinity to Larillieres table than all eyes were at tracted toward him. Without single preliminary observation he seized hold of the counts glass, threw away the punch it contained, and ordered the waiter in loud voice to bring a small potllc ol oIBedl III US pldce'
 Witnesses of the scene say that at this moment for the first time in their lives they saw that Larilliere had turned pale. It was the common belief in Bordeaux that during all the years this man had been applying himself to the work of destruction he had never once allowed his countenance to be- tray the slightest emotion. "Scoundrel" he exclaimed, you do not know who am," at the same time making a vigorous but unsuccessful eff | fort to remove the strangers mask. T know who you are perfectly we'll, :" the other replied coldly, forcing Laril- ! Here violently back into his seat. | All present started to their feet, and, | without venturing to interfere, anx- iously waited the issue of this strange provocation.
 Waiter" exclaimed the stranger, | 'be quick with that bottle of orgeat" At this second command the bottle was brought and the masked man, l drawing a pistol from his pocket, pro- ceeded to address his adversary thus: | Unless in the presence of this com | pany, and for my own personal satis- | faction, you at once swallow this glass of orgeat, I will blow your brains out with less compunction tran I would l those of dog. Should you, however comply with my bidding, will do you | the honor of fighting you tomorrow morning.
 With the sabre?" demanded Laril- 1 Here, convulsed with rage. l .syNitb ,vbnt xxnoron uo,, raIanSap rn. piled the stranger disdainfully. | Whereupon the count swallowed the orgeat, every one present preserving a deathlike silence
 The masked man, satisfied with the result, now retired, saying in voice loud enough to be heard by all in the | room:
 To-day I have humbled you suffi. | ciently; tomorrow I intend to take your life. My seconds will wait upor you at eight o'clock in the morning We will fight on the spot where yot killed the young Chevalier de C. J This was the name of the counts last | victim. gt1
 The following morning Larilliere found himself in the presence of man no longer wearing a mask, who ap. 1 peared to be some five-and-twenty years old, and of a calm and dignified but singularly resolute bearing. His seconds were two private soldiers be longing to one of the regiments of the garrison. They brought weapons witt them, but Larilliere's seconds took ex. ception to them, at which a scarcely perceptible smile passed over tho strangers face.
 The combat commenced, and at the first passes the count was convinced that he had to deal with a skilful an. tagonist. However, his courage dit not fail him, though at times ht seemed to lose somewhat of his custo mary composure. Lunges and parry ings succeeded each other with rapidi
 ty on both sides. Larilliere had al
 ready tried his usually fatal finishing thrust more than once, but each timt only to find his effort turned aside by
 his adversary's blade.
 Harassed at finding his efforts una
 vailing, he insolently remarked to hi
 opponent:
 Well, sir, at what hour do you in tend to kill mel"
 A momentary silence ensued. Thel
 the stranger, who seemed to have prof ited by that slight interval to assur
 himself that the advantage lay deci dedly with him, quietly remarked, I'm
 mediately."
 Rushing forward, he thrust the poin
 of his sword through his adversary
 who sprang backward, tottered an
 sank into the arms of his nearest sec
 ond.
 Putting his right hand on the woun
 the count was just able to say:
 That, sir is not a sabre cut; it is
 thrust with the point. With the sabr l I feared no one," and in few minute
 he fell back dead.
 l The stranger now advanced politel toward the seconds of the man he ha slain, and inquired if he was at libert, | to depart.
 twill you at least tell us you 1 name?" they asked in reply Larilliere's opponent proved to b ; one of the young officers of Blaye, wh
 had determined to avenge the murde as he considered it, of the counts las victim. When the fact of Larilliere' , death became generally known in Bor deaux many mothers of families actu 7 ally had masses said in thankfulnes , for having been delivered from 8 I.