The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-06-10

Captain de Bouret.~ he greeted me
with a soldiers formal courtesy.
"Chevalier de la Mora"
Captain. I have the honor to return
to you a note which l believe bears
% name," and he handed me the IN
fortunate billet.
IAN 1 right? Is thai your handc,"
/ sccrred to lie, and answered him
evenly:
ut IS"
rs that note properly directed? Tt
Madame de la Mora?"
1T is. but"
Have you any explanation. sir, to
offer?"
For the life of me 1 could think OF
nothing to say: l could not tell him the
truth, neither could l lie to him with
grace. So l simply said:
1T was not her fault probably the
worst remark 1 could have made.
Then. this note is true? You did
meet my wife by appointment in the
ruined chapel at Sceaux?"
NO, by my honor, there vas 10 APP
pointment: l came upon her by chance.
and through no consent of hers"
And SO you presumed to meet my
wife in a lonely ~place-which she de-
MES to me upon her honor. as you 10Y
swear: you Were there hot. impulsive
and hasty' which this honorable mis-
sive of yours Graves pardon for. Now
you seek another private interview
which you say you cannot live with
out?"
l nodded modify, wishing only TO
nave the matter over. II avoid his
further questioning.
by my soul. captain, 1 am rejoiced
to find you so frank-rejoiced that you
do not lie. The other. God knows. is
bad enough"
l WINGED, but held my tongue.
Our business, then, is plain enough
and there is no time like the present"
So saying he cast off his coat and be-
gan to roll his sleeves back. leaving
bare that magnificent forearm of his.
supple n dexterous. Initiating him
we We're both soon stripped for action.
l had only my light rapier. Worn
about the garrison, while he was armed
with his heavy campaign blade. l WAS
already a dead man, or SO / felt. Tor
there was no spirit in me for the fight.
Our blades crossed, and Immediately
he noted the disparity of arms.
Captain" he remarked. ~composedly,
drawing back a pace. This is u bad
business; 1 shall surely kill you but
wish to do so as a gentleman. Permit
fence not at such great Disadvantage"
And he offered me the hilt of his own
reversed sword.
"Chevalier de la Mora, You are a gal
liant gentleman, will o believe a man
who has not yet lied to you, and who
feels a word is our due"
BE quick" he replied, we may be
Interrupted"
~ have wronged you and viii render
full atonement. But it has only been a
wrong of the heart; one OF which 1
had no control, no choice. Your sweet
wife has never. by word or deed. dis
honored the noble name she bears"
of course. captain. 1t is a gentle
mans part to make such protestations.
1t is fruitless for us to discuss this
matter, further. except as We d SO
we'll begun"
So intent were we both that neither
had seen Jacques leave US. nor had
either heard the swift hoof beats of a
horse upon the deadening sand, until
the rider was full upon u.s."
Bienvile. Behind him, on foot. just
emerging from the brush some distance
away, Boisbriant and Jacques.
Gentlemen. gentlemen, put by your
What does this mean?" He
had flung himself from his horse and
stood between.
De la Mora sullenly dropped his
point.
"A mere private matter of honor.
u
Are there SO few enemies of France
with whom to fight that you must needs
turn your swords at each other to rob
me of q good soldier when l need every
one?"
BY this time Boisbr,ant and Jacques
had come up. and Bienville commanded:
Major, do you the Cheva-
lier de la Mora to his quarters. You VIII
take his parole to remain there during
the night. and he will report to me at 10
tomorrow. Placide. do you come with
mel"
He gave up his horse to Jacques, and
taking me by the arm led me in the direc-
ton Of the garrison. Truly, l was IN no
better plight. for 1 feared reproof from
the governor more than the steel OF de la
Mora. During all this time 1 said no
word. We returned to Biloxi in absolute
silence. Bienville. with al, a gentleman's
instinct, recognized the delicacy OF my
position.
The governor took me at once to his
own room, and sat me down at the table.
Now, Placide. tell me all about this
miserable affair"
Il cannot. sire; believe me, 1 cannot. I
beg of you not to put upon me a COM
mand I must disobey. This wretched
matter is not for me to tell, even to you."
"A woman?"
\ held my peace.
Yes. I thought as much. is 1t your
fault or his, Flacide?"
Mine"
CONCLUDED Next Week.