Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-02-13

them O. narrow vestibule. Beatrice
after having raised the first, stopped
abruptly, and listened to as much az
the terrifying beating Of her heart
would permit She could even peek
through the half open second portiere
ana see what was happening ON the
Interior.
Tabrice, at the moment when Pier
repont entered, was engaged in load
ing pistols viii h the Marquis himself
lad personally given him. and with
which he very frequently practiced
ia the garden for amusement and d.
version from his work.
you are still pleased with those
arms?' said PierTepont, taking up one
Of the pistols which the painter had
loaded and replacing it upon the
table.
Enchanted" said Fabrice.
You are going to shoot!"
yes"
We'll. we will have match, If you
will"
Very willingly"
Are you i'll this morning? You have
Il very tired look"
''Yet it must be, have just had a
distressing scene with CalVat.'
All met him just as he was
leaving here"
THAT wretch has taken an oath of
mortal hatred for my wife"
"That is obvious enough"
Just now he DETAINED her in a
frightful manner"
THAT proves that he is a wicked
man and nothing more"
II drove him away"
Good radiance, between US my
dear fellow"
'But, however, he has disturbed
rae. I can not tell it to an old friend
like you. But he has troubled me. He
has placed me in doubt"
Doubts about wife such as yours
LsteH, my friend that is foolish"
Yes is it not?" said Fabrice-
"you know that only too well, and
SVeR longer than I. You would ans
wer for 1t with your honor, would you
Rst?"
Absolutely"
And you are right-for yours and
hors are equal"
And he quickly placed the letter un-
der his eyss
"Here!"
Pferrepont recoiled as though he
lad seen a spectre. Then selling one
%f the pistols from the table he
socked it and offered the butt to Fa.
kTice.
Kill mel" said he.
NO" said the painter, mot thus al
least"
He took a few steps across the stu
do as though to collect his ideas, then
returning to the Marquis.
Can YOU" said Fabrice, "and VII
you explain to me the words of that
letter as the meaning escapes met
For excuses you recall certain myster
ious past circumstances, certain fatal
ties which have fallen upon Madam
oiselle de Sardonne and you. May
know to what you allude?"
Pierrepont told him briefly what
had passed before. between Beatrice
and him, their mutual attachment
and of how Nine. de Montauron had
forced her to refuse the hand which
he had offered her
After a pause of silence and revery,
Fabrice answered:
Your feelings in regard to Madem-
Oiselle de Sardonne are such, l sup
pose, as to cause you to desire to
treat this affair between you and me
without rumor, that We may save her
from scandal in teh eyes of the world,
and l myself desire it to save my
name"
Anything that you propose in this
ease said Pierrepont, Il accept in ad-
vance"
"a duel with the ordinary accom-
paniment of witnesses, would reveal
all to- the public Just now you offered
to shoot a target in a match with me.
/ accept it. believe that we are near
ly equally good shots For whichever
one of us makes the best score it will
be life, and for the other it will be sui
eide
so be it" said Pierrepont. 1T is
agreed"
Each one of US promises upon his
honor to abide by the conditions"
THAT is agreed" Pierrepont repeat
ed.
Now" said the painter, Il have
still one other request that l must
make of you. I know that this IS en-
tirely incorrect, and excuse myself for
it. that is what causes this: If
should leave my daughter an orphan
l would not leave her without re
sources. But have none except the
hundred thousand francs given me on
account Tor the panels that l am to
paint for Monsieur Nicholson, and
which / shall have to return 10 him
should not complete my work. He
is to give double that amount when /
deliver the pictures to him. do not
think shall be able to finish them be-
fore four months. / would ask, then,
that in case it is I who shall die, that
you allow me the four months OF de-
lay. And / need hardly say that that
permission will be reciprocated.'
In that precaution of the unhappy
artist there was something so poignant
that Pierrepout turned his face to hide
the almost conclusive agitation of his
face
1T shall be" he said, "as you de
sire"
The painter placed the pistols in the