Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-10-09

watched the affair between Goupart and
the marquis, as | babe your
Yes, mas'r; me watch 'um well, an
me hear all. Me foun' q hole you tole
me of in de floor ober de ole mas'r's III
brary, an me hab watch 'um cherry tins
Is got chance"
And what have you found"
Peter went on and told long story
he had heard about letting Simon go,
and about Goupart taking his place.
.And," uttered the negro, VITA a spark
ling eye as he gave sort of tiourishing
emphasis to The conjunction, mes heard
one oder ting. berry sartin'; One time
dey feared young mas'r an missus'd neb-
Der cum back, an ole mas'r's gwine to
glib Goupart all his whole fortin'. He'll
hab heaps o money, eh?"
did he say the whole, Peter"
HE did sartin. mas'r An he's PLAN
ned to glib i'm half Of it now. o, tell
We, mas'r Goupart got mitey big hold
onto ole mas'r's pocket, an onto ole
mas'r's hub, too. Dey's togedder AL de
time. Yah-guess ole mas'r don't s'pect
he'll want you no more"
II was late in the morning when Simon
Lobois made his appearance. He had
his breakfast served in his own room,
ahI for some time he had been engaged
in bathing his face. He walked on TO the
sitting room. and he found the marquis
and Goupart there
Monsieur st. Denis" he said, in low,
icy tone, II would speak with you"
In an instant the young man turned
and followed him. Lobois led the way
to the garden, and there he stopped and
turned.
Monsieur st. Denis" he spoke, while
his eyes flashed and his thin lip trembled,
'last night yon did what no living man
has ever done before. You struck me in
the face. Ere | leave this place, the
stricken man must be past remembrance
of his shame, or the striker must be not
among the living. You understand
Now, Goupart was not in a frame of
mind to endure much, or to argue much
on moral points. His heart was aching
from horrid wound, and his soul was
tortured by a fearful power; and before
him was the serpent who had doAe it all,
who had torn loved children from dot
ing parent--sundered the brother and sis
ter, and made unhappy the life Of q de-
fenseless girl. The young mans eyes
did not fash like his enemy's, but they
burned with deep. calm fire, such as
utter disgust and abomination add to
fierce hate.
II think | understand was st. Denis
reply.
II taught you your first lessons in the
sword exercise, aad you were a proficient
when | last saw you handle the blade.
VIII you now choose that weapon
Eyes"
Then get it and join me at once"
Gonupart turned away and went to his
room. He took down his sword. and
buckled the belt about him. Then he
drew the blade, and for a moment he
gazed upon it. 1t had once been an un.
cle's weapon--the well-tried companion
of Gen. st. Denis, bold and true knight.
1t was of Spanish make. and never yet
had it failed in the hour OF need. There
was another sword III the room-a lighter
one-a Damascus blade, and of exquisite
finish, and one, too, with which the youth
had always played. But it had been his
fathers sword. and he would not use it
row. After he had returned the blade
10 i scabbard, he stopped moment to
reflect. Tten he moved to the table,
where an ink horn stood. and tearing a
leaf from his pocketbook, he hurriedly
wrote as follows:
Monsieur lie Marquis--You are my
friend. and you know the few friends 4
have on earth. IL fall to-day, you will
know why, and l know you will not
blame me. You will see Louise. Tell
1. III
The youth stopped nj started up, and
his hand trembled.
IF | fall thus, shall we meet there?'
he murmured to himself. 20, heaven
will pardon the deed. 1t knows the deep
proyocation- the burning shame that
blights this house"
Then he stopped once more and wrote.
i'm that world where love knows no
night. ST. DENIS"
This the youth folded and directed to
Brion st. Julien, and wiping a single
tear from his cheek he hurried down to
the hall, and from thence to the garden.
where he found Simon waiting for him.
Now follow me-" said Lobois: and
thus speaking, he led the way around the
house towards the barn, and thence out
through the postern to the foot of the
hill beyond, where grew thick chmp OF
hickory trees.
Now, Goupart st. Denis. are you
ready?" asked Simon, at the same time
drawing his sword.
In one moment returned the youth.
also drawing his own weapon, but lower
ing its point upon the ground.
He was stopped short in his speech for
at that moment the marquis came rush
ing out from the court. and soun reached
the spot where they stood
simon" he gasped, white With fear,
what means this? Put up your sword"
"Brion st. Julien quickly retorted the
mad nephew, stand back You s., "
what passed last night-did you not?''
But that was the result OF hot pas
sion. You tainted him most bitterly. ST.
mon: you insuted him most shamefully.
and he knew not what he did. O. let this
thing STOP"
Stop You might as well try to stop
yonder mighty river from flowing to its
mouth. You say gave him provocation.
Did he not give me provocationT'
Yes yes. II was all folly-all eager.
hot. mad haste. q, give over this thing!
Simon. | command you.'
"Brion st. Julien look upon this mark
on my face. Were the man who did that
my own brother. he should stand before
my sword. so now stand back. There
shall be a death to wipe this ont. IL
fall twill die with me; il he falls, the
atonement is complete"
Good Sir Brion,' spoke Goupart. at
this point, "let the conflict go on. Life
10 me now is not worth the nrice | would