The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-01-18
SAVED HER LOVER.

Jules Souvestre was soon to marry Mile.
Ladouner, one of the most beautiful and
refined girls in Lyons. One night at
cafe chantant he rebuked Achille Emaux,
q professional duelist, for tnterrupting q
singer and publicly derided him as cad
and reviler of ladies. A duel was in
stantly arranged to take place next morn
ing.
Mile. Ladouner was in the theater with
her uncle and witnessed the incident.
Jules, whom she loved with her whole
heart and soul, would be u corpse before
another day had passed That was tho
one thought that filled her brain, and for
a time in her distress and agony she was
almost demented. But by degrees she
forced herself to be calm. At whatever
cost her lover must be saved. Half an
hour before midnight, when her mother
had retired, she quietly stole out and made
her way as furtively as thief to Emaux's
residence.
ed to wait. It was nearly 1 O'Clock when
the bravo came in, humming funeral
march, as was his custom on the eve OF q
duel.
"Good evening, mademoiselle, he said
as she rose on his entrance. "This Is an
unexpected pleasure, though regret to
say do not recognize you, and my man
did not catch your name. Pray be seated,
mademoiselle, and tell me what can do
for you"
She obeyed, and he seated himself oppo-
site her. She was trembling and CULVER
ing, and her throat was so dry that she
could scarcely speak. But at the sight Of
him sitting there, gay, careless and smil.
ing, and yet to be in few hours the
butcher Of her beloved, tempest OF pas
sion shook her, and her tongue was loosed.
"Monsieur, she cried, rising again,
"you are infamous, beast-nay, that ts
an insult to the poor beasts! loathe you
You defle the earth Pah! you smell
of bloodl Even beast Is merciful at
times, but you-you-you"-
Emaux was utterly taken by surprise,
but he still preserved an unrufaed front.
"Mademoiselle, he said, ''you are very
good to come at this hour to pay me COM
pliments. What have I done to deserve
themp"
"Donel" she cried. "What are you
about to do, houndp Jules Souvestre is my
betrothed, and you insult and intend te
murder him. It shall not be, soy. See
I will fight you in his stead. Get pistols,
and we will stand on either side the room
have insulted you. I insult you again.
You are viler than any living creature
Gomez "
A steely glitter came in his eyes, but he
still smiled.
IT am truly sorry for you, mademoiselle
But that dog insulted me publicly, and
we'll, we fight at dawn"
"Insulted your He could not, monsieur
But you shall fight me. Get pistols al
once, If you are not coward"
He still smiled.
| "I do not fight women, lnademois ellie.
love them. I am truly sorry, but unless
you can persuade him to an apology al
public as the insult there is nothing NOR
to be said. It is late, mademoiselle.
will See you out" ....
"You shall fight me, ruff1an'
He shook his head, with an amused
smile "Mademoiselle's best weapon II
her tongue, and that fortunately does moi
kill" ..... ...
She looked at him with terrified eyes.
"Do you mean to kill him, monsieurf"
eyes" he said curtly.
She fell back into the chair with ,
strangled cry, horror in her eyes. For
moment she sat thus, then she flung her
self on her knees at his feet.
"Monsieur," she cried, "have pity
have pityl I love him. Monsieur, yo'
will kill both Of usl Pity, pity" sh
gasped -. -.
"Rise, mademoiselle, bog Of you," b
said. "You havo just told me have n
pity"
"Haye you no heart, monsieur" sh
moaned.
'None when man has publicly insult
ed me. And" he went on in cynica
tone, "who knows but I may do made
moiselle a favor Men swear their vow
as lovers, but they soon forget them.
may possibly save mademoiselle from
life of misery" -...
She flushed in momentary heat at that
"You do not know him." she cried
"His love is as great as the sea. Can yo'
exhaust the seaP Has your heart neve
known love, monsieur9" m.
He frowne6. 1t recalled time to-
years before. :.
"Ah, see it hasl" she said quickly
"By that love, monsieur, have pity. 70
shall have my gratitude and prayers ever
day. As long as live I shall remembe
you and ask mercy for you, even as 20
had mercy on me-"
He did not answer, but gazed on be
beautiful, pleading face. 1t was girl
little younger than this one and quite q
beautiful who had died ten years ago, an
all GOOD influences had died with her.
"You have overcome, mademoiselle. b
said. "He shall live for your sake"
"You will spare him?"
"Be comforted, mademoiselle. mean
to kill him, but he shall live. We sha
fight at dawn, but he shall not die. Come
mademoiselle, 1t Is time you were gone
Shall sec you safely homer"
"No, no." she cried as he led her to th
door. "You will keep your oath, MOI
sieur-you will not forget?"
mo, mademoiselle, and you will NJ
forget your prayerss" he said. with littl
laugh. "If you are right, need then
Good night and fear nothing"
But she did fear. When she reache
home, it seemed to her almost impossibI
to believe that a man with such ruthles
reputation would forbear to kill the ma
who had insulted him.
She went to bed, but she could not re!
and soon got up again and toward
O'Clock stole toward the spot where tt
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