The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-02-11
HIS MOTHERS REPUTATION
The Tragic Story Of a French Duel.

Last year went to Besancon to attend
a friends wedding. His bride was the
daughter Of one of the wealthiest and
best-known families in the city, and the
affair was most brilliant one. When
we were about quitting the table after
the wedding feast, felt hand upon my
shoulder. l turned. Before me stood a
young captain of dragons, a handsome,
dashing fellow, with curly blonde hair.
"You do not recognize me-" said he,
smiling.
"In TRUTH said l, hesitating, II can
not remember"
II am Gustave Raisant, your old chum.
Why, l remember well the first day you
came to the school. You advanced tow
ard me: as stood in the playground, and
said, Lend me some marbles. lent
you some, and we became fast friends at
once once and {; our friendship lasted for three
l grasped his hand warmly, and we a.
once began to talk over old times to-
gether. 1t is always with certain de.
gree of pleasure that one meets all old
chum of school or college. So we ex-
hausted the subject of school days, and
took up our present prospects. Gustaye
told me that his were excellent; he would
soon have a commission as major, q
lucky advancement for so young a man.
When l prepared to leave, he accompa-
MED me to the station, and, after cor
dial farewell, we separated.
Months passed, and l heard no more of
Gustave. Finally, one morning, l saw
his name in the Journal Ofticiel, and not
ed with pleasure that he had received his
expected promotion. With his commits
sion he had received orders detailing him
to 4 garrison in Maubeuge, on the Belgian
frontier.
One August evening I was taking a
stroll in the Champs Elysees. 1t was a
little after 8, and around me was the
usual gay crowd of summer night.
Promenaders by the hundred; merry peo-
the cafes, smoking, drinking and chat
ting. TO the right, cafe concert, it's
front hung with colored lanterns. Before
me the long Avenue DIES Champs Elysees
extended, its hundreds of lights glimmer-
ing like glow-worms in the dark. Sud
denly l saw familiar face by the light
of street lamp. 1t was Gustave Raj
SAINT.
HALO ! major, said I, extending my
"Ah, is it you?" said he, languidly. Il
am glad to see you"
His tone struck me. 1 looked at him
attentively. He seemed to have aged
much since I had seen him before. Al
ready there were gray hairs showing
around his temples. Linking my arm
with his, sad:
'Willingly."
After we had walked some little dis
lance 1 gave up attempting to make him
converse. He seemed entirely destitute
of interest in any topic that l might
bring up, and plunged into melancholy
"Come, come, Gustave," said 1, you
have something on your mind, haven't
yOu?'
He hesitated moment, but finally re-
piled:
EYES,"
"A love affair. I'll be sworn
he was silent, and l repeated my
somewhat brusque remark. There are
some wounds that will not bear probing
Suddenly he spoke:
Listen" said he, "and l shall tell you
the cause of my melancholy. Perhaps
am wrong to chafe under it as do; per.
haps you may give me some good advice
Since ! last saw you there has been a
tragical event in my life. Oh, you have
heard nothing of it. Thanks to the PEG.
pie at headquarters, the papers were
silenced, and I won't bore you-my story
isn't long; and,' he added, bitterly, Il
think it is interesting. But it is old-the
oid story of the parents sins being ex.
He knocked the ash from his cigar. and
then he slowly told his story:
serve forces were ordered out for their
yearly service. We had some of them
at Maubeuge: where l had been stationed
with the Fifty-sixth for month. One
morning l was about to start for Lille,
on reglmentai business, in company with
a brother officer of my regiment. We
stepped into large eating house to take
a chop before the train left. 1t was a
very large establishment, with marble
tables around the room, and at one END
was long bar, where those with light
purses were allowed to take refreshments
Our table was near the bar, and at the
time we seated ourselves there was q
long line OF private soldiers and laborers
drinking there. We talked of various
| matters, and my companion said:
Have you the son of any celebrity
among your recruitsY
Yes; said l, young Myrian, son OF
the well,known painter, is in my com,
too, but Of different kind. it is younp
George de Ferisset'
What! not the son of Nine. de Ferris.
set--pretty De .Ferisset?'
""l'he same"
II laughed heartily as said:
We'll, well! So De Ferisset has d
grown-np son., has she? How the time
flies! l was dreadfully in love with the
woman once, but another fellow won hel
not undivided favors. - -"'
"And I; too. replied my companion
\ was a little spoony on her; but then
you know, L always had scruples abou,
married women 3D. .@ 2. II. s,,.
" Oh, you were wrong. replied. sShe
was well worth the trouble. And. then
poos sDs gerlsset 4hs type OF In ,,p'