Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-12-21
P TX.

CHAPTER TX.
DESCRIBES A ROADSIDE MEETING,
A WARNING, AND A FLIGHT.
When Tonti had breakfasted the
next morning he explained to Pompon
the nature of his drive, and ordered
him to have a coach waiting in front
of the Louvre at II o'clock. He then
sat down and wrote a letter to La
Sale, explaining everything, leaving
to him whatever share Of the buried
treasure Pompon was willing to give
him, and wishing him we'll in his ex-
plorations and expressing sincere re-
greet that a question of honor had come
up for settlement just as they were
about to start. He sealed and adj
dressed it, with instructions to Pom
pom to deliver same in case of his
death. He then Invested himself Of a
portion of his clothing and practiced
for a full hour making passes, feints,
and guards, so that his joints and
muscles would not be stiff when the
time of need arrived.
Pompon, who had been sent to order
a coach, not having returned, and it
now being a few minutes before II, he
left a note of farewell for him on the
table, and, girding on his sword, placed
the handkerchief with the letter "R'
upon it within his bosom and left the
house. Luckily he had brought his
cloak with him, for he found upon
reaching the street that a fine rain
was falling. At the Louvre he found
a coach waiting, and he was o 0 roll
ing across the nearest bridge, through
the Porte Dauphin, along the Rue du
Four and into the Rue de Chasss
Mildly, then past the establishment Of
Les Religieuses du st. Esprit to the
Chemin de Clamor. By this time the
city was left behind, and they drove
through a sparsely built suburban re
gion, back of the Convent des Char
treuses. The open fields in this quar-
ter were favorite duelling grounds, es.
pecially those about a slight eleva
ton of ground called Mont Parnasse
which they now approached. .
Knowing that the carriage contain
ing the Comte de Miron would sool
meet his, and that the collision which
was to be the pretext of the duel wa
imminent, he withdrew the handker
chief from it's hiding-place and kisse'
it gently before returning it. Thel
having loosened his sword in it
sheath, he awaited the end impatiently
Presently he heard the warning shout
of his driver, mingled with oaths an
imprecations from another tongue. !
few seconds later came a shock tina
almost threw him from his seat. TIL
coach stopped and, alighting, he foun'
the vehicle with which they had col
lided on it's side in the ditch, with tn
Comte de Miron climbing through it
open door, face spattered with mu
and his temper not improved by tn
knowledge of the appearance he kneN
he must present.
Together they walked across tn
field some so PAGES distance fror
their carriages, Tonti's driver accom-
panying them to render any assist
ance needed in removing their quite
garments, while the other RENAME
with the horses. The preliminarie
being arranged, the two men face
each other.
"En garde!" cried the Comte d
Miron between his teeth.
EN- garde!" came from Tonti
calm and measured tones.
The swords touched, crossed, and tn
fight was on. Both learned in a fe'
moments that neither had a weak OF
ponent before him. Each tried th
other with all the commoner thrust
only to find him ready with a parr.
At last TOnti. in order to tire his ar
tagonist and thus make 1t easier whe
he next attacked him, maintained til
defensive only. His thoughts war
dered away from the scene before hil
and he seemed to stand In the sam
room he had visited yesterday, gain
upon the face that he realized no
that he loved. Only, instead of hi
eyes following the printed pages Of
book, they looked into his own wit
a friendly gaze. But as he locke
they suddenly changed and a gleal
of terror and horror filled them, {
though they swW a terrible sight. an
her hand was raised as though
warning.
AT this instant the Comte de Miro
pretended to slip, and Tonti involul
tarily raised his sword-point to enab
him to recover his footing. The loo
Of terror in the face Of the n l
loveC brought him suddenly back to
full l~.alization Of his surrounding
But 1t was too late. The comte 'oun
ing upon the honor and generosity
hia foe when he perceived his mi