The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-07-31
A WOMAN DUELIST.
~ HAROLD orls.


many men by teaching his art to the
Parislans. II was generally under
stood that a pupil OF Serane was sure
to kin his man. II bis lessons were
really 50 valuable it must have been
partly owing to a special confidence
given the pupil and corresponding
loss Of nerve on the part Of the oppo-
nent At any rate. those whom Serane
had taught usually had little trouble
10 settling their disputes without re-
course to the fol-.
One evening Serane was sauntering
down the boulevard and on reaching
the opera concluded to 20 in and at
tend the performance. One OF the
singers on the stage was woman
named Maupin. Though she was not
singing an important part, serane's
gaze was constantly Fixed upon her.
Why one woman's personnel will APP
peal to one man when another woman
is the chief attraction for other men
is an insoluble problem. We only know
that the fact exists. In Maupin. Sc
rane saw that which appealed to him
strongly. At the close Of the perform
ance he sent his card to her and re-.
ceived On invitation to call upon her
behind the scenes.
IN. serane," she said as soon
as he appeared, Il deem myself for
tunate In your desiring to make my
acquaintance. You are well known to
me.ny reputation as a splendid teacher
Of fencing, and wish you to give me
lessons"
Serane found the singer as fascinat-
ing In the greenroom as on the stage.
She was young fairly good hooking,
and about her was certain abandon
which when not too pronounced Is at
tractive to men. Serane fell desperate.
" in love with her, and she permitted
him to love her in order that she
might get out Of him all the skill in
fencing he was capable Of imparting.
She was an apt pupil and, taught by
lover. became the most skiIlful fencer
that had ever been turned out from
his academy.
No sooner bad Afaupin acquired the
art than she began to attract atten-
ton as a duelist. At FIRST her affairs
with the sword leaked out as mere
rumors. One report was that young
nobleman who had been devoted to
her had fallen by her hand; that. dis
guised in mems apparel. she had in
suited him and killed him without bis
knowing Of her identity. Again 1t was
rum0red that she had fought and killed
another woman. That she was apply
ing her skill In affairs Of this kind
there was no doubt. though some that
were attributed to her had no fouDda.
ton in fact.
She liked to have Serane with her
both on account Of bis devotion and
because his presence gave her addi-
tional eclat as a swordswoman. Bnt
be came to understand that she cravea
blood or the excitement Of taking it.
and be endeavored to dissuade her
from her course.
One night serane and Maupin were
dancing at a students bail 10 the
Latin quarter when Maupin joytied
the belle Of the evening, and upon the
girls looking at her resentfuly Mau-
pin was rude to her. The insulted
gin was dancing with an intimate
friend Of Serane, Gustav Grammont
Crammont, supported by two other
men, ordered Maupin to leave the
room. She said that she would do SO
provided they would 90 with her. They
did So, and before morning she had
killed them all
serane in this affair refused to sup
port Maupin Indeed, she was obliged
to cali on another man TO act as her
second. The day after she had killed
Grammont and the others serane re
ceIyed a note from her accusing him
Of cowardiee in having deserted her in
the hour Of need and challenging him
TO mortar combat. Stung to the quick
By her ingratitude. be sent hasty
reply accepting the challenge
The man who had been lover and
had taught the object of his love to
XIII people, filled with d mad renorse
resolved TO kill her, thus furnishing her
and stopping her career of bloodshed |
They met in bis academy. the doors
Of which had been bottled and the wine
dows screened Maupin stepped out /
on to the floor with as much eomposure
as mother would administer food to
babe. she looked at Serane With q
stony stare and said:
sserane's pupils always kin their !
opponents"
There can be no doubt but the WON
an said this to fiji her antagonist with /
superstitious dread that would take
away his nerve. If 1t had any such /
effect. Serane gave no evidence Of it- /
4 revulgion Of feeling had come over
him. Had this not occurred, had he
opposed Maupin as lover as she had /
presumed be would. there would have
been no chance for him As It was It /
was fair fight between them.
But with serane IN full possession Of /
hig faculties there could not be q fair i
fight between them AS soon as Mau-
pin saw that she had lost her power
over him she knew that, # he chose /
her punishment had come. The mo.
ment they crossed swords she saw IN +
eyes not only determination
to XIII her If he could. but q perfect +
OF being able TO DO so.
sineuiarIy enough. this woman who
had conquered men with mems weap-
pms no sooner discovered that her wom-
anly influence over the man who had
furnished her with her power had