The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-10


woman-least Of all In public.
"'Let him gor cried to the soldiers
rose removed my cap, and, bowling, said.
"'Sir, place myself at your disposi.
ton
AT this moment the whistle Of the ap.
preaching train was heard My friend
grasped my arm and dragged me to tho
station without, where we took the trai3
for Lille.
GAS soon as could do so fastened to
thee encral commanding our division.
told him all. As you may imagine, hs
reprimanded me severely.
What said he, an officer Of your
rank to babble thus In public, like raw
boy just ovt of the military SCHOOL, IL Is
the fault of the war department.. They
should not promote men so young as you
to positions Of Importance.
81 privately thought that II I had been
a general the affair would have been the
same. But l so richly merited his severe
language that / did not reply.
"'well, said he finally, what do you
propose to doS'
"'sThere is but one course open to me,
general | replied. Il have grievously
offended this young man. | have there
fore placed myself at his disposition. We
must fight
".A duell You are mad A major
cannot go upon the field with a private
soldier
General you must allow me to say
that there are certain insults SO grave that
military usage must yield to them. Grant
me permission to do this.
'f'But l cannot. have no right to dc
so.
" Then telegraph the minister of Wa
+" He will refuse
"'Well. IL that be the case, shall notify
George de Ferisset, and we will fight in
Belgium.
Z" Then you desertY
=" Yes, general, | Will desert and then
return for my punishment. l have once
dishonored myself in publicly insulting a
woman. l shall not again do so in refus
ing satisfaction TO her son.
1.-The generals perploxity and anger be-
gan to pass away. He seemed moved. He
strobe up and down the room for some
moments and finally, turning to me, said
=" Be 1t so, Do as you will. Bear in
mind, though. that know nothing OF this
affair. This conversation has not taken
place
Il thanked him and repaired to my
ulbiItlH. iistl tNtAiHE lS tTltStl y STU
onds arrived. They were civilians, as were
also tho two friends whom l named to ar
range matters with them. The weapon
chosen was the sword, the hour 8 O'Clock
the following morning, the place a little
village just within the Belgian frontier |
put my affairs in order that night, for
had determined to offer but slight defense.
"At the appointed hour the next day we
kpr driyzlv mn
ing, and the mud was ankle deep. DE
Ferisset appeared In uniform. One of my
seconds remarked that he, like the rest OF
us should have come as a civilian. He
replied that he had been insulted as man
and soldier, and that reparation was due
to him as such. / made sign to my sec
ond, and he did not insist
I'VE took our places. 1t was curious
speotacle-a private soldier in his uniform
facing his superior officer in multi.
THE swords were crossed The word
was given l watched his face with n fe-
yerish curiosity. In his eyes there was the
same glare of the day before, the same in
decision. Suddenly strange smile ap-
peared upon his lips-the smile of broken
heart-a smile l shall never forget though
i live hundred years. Quick as "A flash
no abandoned his guard. and, grasping my
sword with his left hand, he hurled him
self upon it. 1t ran him through the body.
Uttering a hoarse cry, be fell backward.
A bloody foam tinged his pale lips A con-
vulsive shudder ran over his body, anoth-
er, then groan. He was dead.
listened with horror to his story. He
noticed my looks, but went doggedly on
"Of course had not killed him-I had
even resolved not to defend myself, and
Quilted the army. But still / feel like
murderer; l feel as though had commit
ted crime When l think of that poor
boy-loyal to his mother, bad though she
was--slain in the first flush Of youth,
feel like an assassin. And think of that
wretohed motheri How she must mourn
her brave boy fall -
1t was growing late; the people were
pouring out of the cafes concerts. Now
and then passerby would hum over the
latest comic song. Strange contrast! The
tollies of the song mingled with the words
of the somber drama just unrolled before
me. Gustave walked on by my side, with
bent head, crushed by the weight of his
tragic story.
And still the Champs Elysees swarmed
with people. Around us was tie intense
life of summer night in frivolous Paris.
On the avenue were innumerable carriages
and all around gayly dressed loungers on
the iron chairs.
AS my eye roamed carelessly over them
l saw one group, the center of which was
a woman of 45, but still very beautiful.
She was dressed richly and tastefully and
bore in her hand bouquet which a smirk-
ing dandy had just presented to her.
could not repress an exclamation. Gustavs
followed my eyes.
What" he cried, "it cannot be she?"
eyes, answered him, lit is Nine de
Ferisset. From the French For Argo-
naut
The Paper william Morris Used.