Evening journal., 1899-02-01

ing morning grown, as such rufsurs
will grow. Everybody heard Il, and,
last of all, the wroneed husband lie
did what any other man would have
done in his place-challenged heyoung
German TO a duel with pistols. The
baron. who was unable to explain TO his
own satisfaction how he had been cap
tyated by the graces Of Mrs. Parker,
found himself in a lamentable guam
dary. A challenge from Afr. Parker he
well knew was equivalent TO a death
sentence, or at least a very close shave.
Should the Englishman insist on the
duel there was no doubt as 10 the re-
suit. He thought the matter over very
carefully, and was suddenly filed with
great concern as to the effect which
his death would have upon his widowed
mother, and, being desirous above all
things of sparing her, he persuaded two
cf his friends, who happened to be IN
Homburg at the time, TO seek out and
try to pacify the offended husband.
Mr.. Parker received the gentlemen
with all the polished politeness Of a
nan Of the world. =, . 49,
"Gentlemen," said Mr.. Parker. cold
". in French, 81 really fail TO under.
stand the object of your visit. Surely
the details Of this matter have been
discussed at sufficient lengthl Nothing
more remains to be said"
"You are right, sir" replied the elder
of the two ambassadors. "but we have
come trusting TO your tenderness Of
heart, and we are sure you will not be
able TO turn deaf ear to our plea. We
Lave come to appeal TO you. not on be-
half Of the baron. but for the sake of his
mother. TO whom he Is all in all. and
who will certainly die of grief II any
thing happens TO her ideal. We ask you
to agree TO other terms. Would YOU poi
son and curtail the life Of a weak wom-
an? Think of your own mother"
/ Then the speaker explained at length
20 Mr.. Parker that the baron was the
last male representative of his line, the
lest Of a famous house. and that the
iumor, even, Of the approaching duel
I might cause the mothers death.
Mr.. Parker listened with quiet dig
nifty. aud when the gentleman closed
with a warm appeal to his goodness of
heart The Englishman rose. and with
out losing any of his dignity. or relax
ing his severity Of expression, said:
81 will not have the death of the
mother on my conscience; just give me
time to think of some way out of this.
/ will write TO you tomorrow"
The two callers took leave. after hav-
ing overwhelmed Mr.. Parker with
words of gratitude for his magnanim-
ity. Their thanks seemed to embarrass
him. for as he held out his hand his eyes
modcstly sought the floor
Next morning the gentlemen received
the following letter:
Dear Sirs-
You appealed to my sympathy. As
I said TO you Yesterday, / will not b,
guilty of dspriviug the mother OF hei
son. and I do not think that In Hem
hurg there could be two opinions as e
what would be the outcome Of the due
which was TO have taken place between
the baron and me. withdraw th'
challenge. In return for this i expec
the baron to pay over to my Orphan
such q sum as he may himself deter
mine. At the same time / take il fo
granted that he values his young lif
at. at least $1,000. VIII you have th'
goodness to make this known TO tn
baron?
"Fin8lly, gentlemen. 1 must lay par
ticular stress on the fact that, as
leave Homburg tomorrow morning,
shall have TO lay upon you the condi
tion. ns men of honor, to clear up an.
Misunderstanding which may arise al
to the cause of my having backed on
OF the duel. l trust to your fairness Il
Justify me wherever and whenever yol
shall find it necessary or advisable"
On the following day Mr.. Parker re
ceived from the baron a letter Of regre
and apology, and a check for e1.200
The promise was also made 10 sen,
more as soon as the writer should be il
position to do so. The 81 200 sen
was all that he had in hand at that mo
ment.
Mr.. and Mrs Parker at once lef
Homburg, and on the following day
new scandal occupied the minds an,
MtrEtA lut ARAA AIo Va AAAl hAaiA'A =
J The baron, IL is scarcely necessary Il
say. speedily quilted Homburg, as h'
) had no wish to keep alive the story o
, his misfortune and of Mr.. Parker
magnanimity. He succeeded, strang
as it may seem. in hiding all knowledge
of the affair from his mother. Tn
G 200 with which he had bought hi
life was pretty nearly the amount b
had won at the gambling table
He did not forget his promise 10 MI
Parker, and a few years later, when h
came into possession Of his estates. h
= sent a check for 6 300 TO the trustees
orphanage of Hamarby. York. Strang
p TO say, the letter came back unopened
. but the envelope was covered with note
= which gave the following information
, The so-called Parker orphanage q
Hamar6y had formerly consisted Of
/ tumbed-down hovel inhabited by al
old woman and a cripple, but at III
time of writing nothing but the ruin
| remained Parker, who was a well
= known swindler. had. two years prev