The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-04-09

glib G0upart all MS WnOie lVElih. AAS a.
hab heaps O. money, ehT''
Ibid he say the whole, PeterT
"He did sartin, mas'r. An he's plan
ned to glib i'm haff of it now. 0, tell
ye, mas'r Goupart got mitey big hold
onto ole mas'r's pocket, an ono ole
mas'r's lub, too. Dey's togedder all DE
time. Yah-guess ole mas'r don't spect
he II want you no more"
1t was late in the morning when Simon
Lobois made his appearance. He had
his breakfast served in bis own room,
and 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,
ley tone, II would speak with you"
In an instant the young man turned
and followed min. 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 you 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,s or the striker must be not
among the livingl You understandg'
Now, Goupart was not in . frame OF
mind to endure much, or to argue much
on moral points. His heart was aching
from a horrid wound, and his soul was
Tortured By a fearful power; and before
him was the serpent who had done 1t all,
who had torn loved children from dot
ing parent--sundered the brother and sis
ter, and made unhappy the life Of a de-
fenseless girl. The young mans eyes
did not fash like his enemy's, but they
burned with a deep, calm fire, such as
utter disgust and abomination add to
fierce hate.
"I think understand" was St. Denis
reply.
II taught you your fust lessons In the
sword exercise, and You were proficient
when | last saw you handle the blade.
VIII you now choose that weapon"
"Yes."
"Then get 1t 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 moment he
gazed upon 1t. 1t had once been an un-
cles weapon-the well-tried companion
Of Gen. st. Denis, bold and true knight.
1t was of Spanish make, and never yet
had 1t failed In the hour of need. There
was another sword In the room-a lighter
one-a Damascus blade, and Of exquisite
finish, and one. too, with which the youth
had always played. But 1t had been his
fathers sword, and he would not use 1t
now. After he had returned the blade
to Its scabbard, he stopped a moment to
reflect. Then he moved to the table,
where an ink horn stood, and tearing
leaf from his poeketbook, he hurriedly
wrote as follows;
Monsieur le Marquis--You are my
friend, and you know the few friends
have on earth. II fall to-day, you will
know why, and l know you will not
blame me. You will see Louise. Tell
her we shall meet"
The youth stopped and started up. and
his hand trembled.
"If | fall thus, shall we meet thereT
he murmured to himself. 20, heaven
will pardon the deed. 1t knows the deep
provocation-the burning shame that
bllghts this house!'
Then he stopped once more and wrote;
"-in 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 be 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 clump 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 soon reached
the spot where they stood.
"Simon," he gasped. white with fear,
"what means this? Put up your sword" 4"
"Brion st. Julien" quickly retorted the
mad nephew, "stand back! You saw
1 what passed last night-dId you notT
but that was the result of hot pas
sion. You taunted him most bitterly, 81.
mon; you lnsulted him most shamefully,
and he knew not what he did. o, let this
thing stop"
"Stop7 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. o, give over this thing!
Simon. command your
"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 out. II |
fall. twill die with me; II he falls, the
atonement Is complete"
Good Sir Brion," spoke Goupart, at
this point, ''let the conflict go on. Life
to me now Is not worth the price l would
pay for 1t by refusal. Let 1t go on"
"But-my child-my son, II you are
gone-
you'll have me left" interrupted ST.
mon-'me, who OF right belongs here.
Now are you ready, Monsieur st. Denis 2
The youth turned an imploring look up
on the marquis, and as the old man fell
back, he replied:
"Now | must ask the question | was
about to ask ere our friend came to in.
terrupt us. Simon Lobois. you may fall
In this encounter. and before cross your
sword, would pray you to tell, II you
know, where Louis st. julien is."
"Howi" hissed Simon. Would ~
heap more insult upon meT
81 ask but a simple question"
"Ay-and that question means a fou
suspicion. know nothing Of him"
"Then come ong'
And on the next instant the swords
were crossed.
Simon Lobois had been accounted ont
OF the best sword players in Marne, ant
he esuna 70 the conflict as though be were