The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-08-07
A WOMAN DUEL|ST.

Copyright. 1903. by American Press Asso-
citation.

ciauOn.
Serane. fencing master at Paris.
when dueling was not only more COM
mon but more serious there than now.
prepared the way for the killing or
many men by teaching his art TO the
Parisians IL was generally under
stood that a pupil OF Serane was sure
TO XIII his man. IL his lessons were
really so valuable il must have been
partly owing 20 a special confidence
given the pupil and a corresponding
loss OF nerve on the part OF the oppo-
nent. At any rate. those whom Serane
had taught usually had little trouble
In settling their disputes without re-
course 10 the foil.
One evening Serane was sauntering
down the boulevard and on reaching
the opera concluded TO go 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 womans personnel will APP
peal 10 one man when another woman
Is the chief attraction for other men
is an insolube problem. We only know
that the fact exists. In Maupin, Sc
rane saw that which appealed 20 him
strongly At tho close OF the perform.
ance he sent his card 10 her and 70,
ceived an invitation 10 call upon her
behind the scenes.
M serane," she said as soon
as he appeared. Il deem myself for.
tunate in your desiring 10 make my
acquaintance. You are well known 70
me by reputation as splendid teacher
OF fencing. and wish you TO give me
lessons" -~--,-s.- n--------.--.A
Serane found the singer as fascinat-
Ing In the greenroom as on the stage.
She was young. fairly good looking.
and about her was certain abandon
which when not too pronounced is at
tractive 10 men. Serane fell desperate.
~ IN love with her, and she permitted
him 60 love her In order that she
might get out OF him all the skill I'm
fencing he was capable OF imparting
She was an apt pupil and, taught by
a lover. became the most skillful fencer
that had ever been turned out from
his academy.
No sooner had Maupln acquired the
art than she began 10 attract atten-
tion as a duelist At first her Affairs
with the sword leaked out as mere
rumors. One report was that a young
nobleman who had been devoted TO
her had fallen by her hand; that, dis
gulsed I'm mems apparel, she had in
suited him and killed him without his
knowing Of her identity Again II was
rumored that she had fought and killed
another woman That she was apply
ing her skill I'm affairs Of this kind
there was no doubt. though some that
were attributed TO her had no founda
ton I'm fact.
She liked 10 have Serane with her
both on account OF his devotion and
because his presence gave her addi-
tlonal eclat rs n swordswoman. But
he came 10 understand that she craved
blood or the excitement Of taking IT,
from her course.
One night Serane and Maupin were
dancing nc a students ball In the
Latin quarter when Maupin jostled
the belle OF the evening. and Upon the
girls looking at her resentfully Mau
pin was rude 10 her The insulted
Girl was dancing with an intimate
friend OF Serane. Gustav Grammont
Grammont. supported 10y two other
men. ordered Mnupln 10 leave the
room. She said that she would do so
provided they would go with her. They
did so. and before morning she had
killed them all
Seranc IN this affair refused 10 sup
port Maupin Indeed. she was Obliged
10 call on another man 20 act as her
second The day after she had killed
Grammont and the others Serane re
cevcd n note from her accusing him
OF cowardlce IN having deserted her IN
the hour OF need aud challenging him
TO mortal combat stung TO the quick
by her ingratltude. he sent a hasty
reply accepting the challenge.
The man who had been lover and
had taught the object Of his love 20
kil people. filled with a mad rcmorse.
resolved 70 kill her. thus furnishing her
and stopping her career OF bloodshcd.
They met IN his academy. the doors
OF which had been bolted and the win
dows screened. Niaupln stepped out
on 20 the floor with as much composurc
as mother would administer food TO
a babe She looked nj serane With
stony stare and said;
"Serane's pupils always kin their
There can be no doubt but the WON
an said this 20 OH her antagonist with
a superstitious dread that would take
away his nerve If II had any such
effect Scrnne gave no evidence OF T.
A revulsion Of feeling had come over
him Had this not occurred. had he
opposed MaupIh as lover. as she had
presumed he would. there would have
been no chance for him. As II was Il
was a fair fight between them.
L.. ELL -