davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
Only One Thing Straee

This fact was well known to the peo- rle of Sullacaro and to the peasantry of the surrounding country. as was also the fact that the dead members of the DeFranchi family had the power-and the habit--of appearing to the living members when death or a great crisis threatened.
 The matter was spoken about quite in a commonplace, matter of fact way-it ras regarded as much matter of course as that the public square was in front of the church.
 The only thing that seemed strange and unnatural about the De Franchi brothers to the Corsicans was that in spite of the close affinity between them. Louis should, from his boyhood, have been a student, a scholar, lover of peace. eschewing firearms, frownins upon vendettas and finally have become an advocate of the new French civiliza- tion, which had been introduced into the island, and gone to Paris to study law.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
Plans That Went Wrong

It had been the intention of the two Guidice to kill the II de Franchi and his wife, who was also his cousin, and thus wipe out the hostile family.
 So while one Guidice brother went with his followers to waylay M de Franchi as he was returning to town, the other brother went with followers to assault the house where Mime. de Franchie awaited the homecoming of her lord.
 But. getting wind of the plot, Mime. de Franchi had summoned the family re- tainers, sent party to the assistance with the others in her house in Sulla- caro. a town in a remote part of Cor sica to which the civilization of the cutter world had scarcely crept.
 Monsieur, when he met his foe on ths road. shot him dead and dispersed his followers. while madame, besieged in her house, by a lucky shot with her rifie-which she well knew how to use killed the other Guidice brother.
 When husband and wife compared notes afterwards they found that they had each shot their man at exactly the same hour. So, there being no more Guidices to shoot, they engraved '11 a. m, September 21, 1s19 on the butts of their rifles and hung them on the wall for a full due.
 Then Mme de Franche took to her bed and the twins. Louis and Lucien, were born
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
A Man of Peace

K NLoUIs DE FRANCHI was about MI to fight duel with M de 1 Chateau-Renaud.
 Not that he was particularly anx- Ious to shoot M de Chateau-R -Renaud or 10 be shot by him But he saw no way out of it. He had been insultel and challenged-and there he was!
 Louis De Franchi was a man of peace he had never touched a pistol or a sword In his life. He was a young law student in paris and had trst one of the fiercest and longest standing vendettas in his native island of Cor sica.
 He had accomplished this through his twin brother. Lucien. who had re- mained in Corsica content to be simp- iy Corsican, while Louis had come to Paris to become lawyer
 It was singular profession for de Franchi to adopt, for Louis and his brother were the last representatives of a family which had for centuries made its own laws and was famous for the vendetta which 1t had kept up for 400 years with the family of the Gui- dice
 The vendetta had come to an end immediately before the birth of Louis and Lucien by the extermination of the Guidice, the two remaining sons of which were killed. the one by the father and the other by the mother of the de Franchi twins.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
Seven Minutes to Live

He led the way down an almost inc perceptible incline to an open space which had undoubtedly, at some time, been small lake. It had dried up, leaving a sort of bog surrounded on all sides by a gentle slope.
 Louis while the ground was being meas ured off and the other preliminaries gone through with, maintained perfect- ly tranquil air, which induced his friend to say:
 Your tranquility, my dear De F'ranchi. is so perfect that it makes me hope that you have not really convinced yourself that you will fall"
 Louis took out his watch and looked at it. T have seven more minutes to live" he said keep this watch, I beg. as a remembrance of me- Louis took his place Chateau-Renaud was already In tho place assigned to him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
A False Message

The next morning. therefore, the two met in Louis rooms early-at half after '. Louis handed his friend let ter which he had just finished writing.
 1t was to his mother and in it the young man said that he had been stricken by brain fever; that he was writing in a lucid interval; that he must die and bade her and his brother farewell.
 His friend read it in astonshment.
 You see,' said Louis, the Baron Giordano is a Corsican and has the ideas of his race; so l cannot confide my wishes to him. l shall ask him to keep the affair secret and that is all. But you must send this letter to my mother immediately l am dead.
 otherwise she may suffer a double bereavement, for if the truth becomes known my brother will hurry to Paris to avenge me 1 did not wish any such risk to be taken.'
 But. my dear Louis" replied his friend, you may not be killed"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
A Ghostly Visitor

His lips moved d,strange to say. although no sound issued from them I heard his words echoing in my body with perfect dlstinctness. Think of God. my son,' he said.
 Shall I die in this duel?' I asked.
 T saw two tears roll from the spec ter's glassy eyes down his colorless cheek.
 - At what hour" I asked
 He pointed to the clock l followed the direction of his hand and saw the clock had stopped at 10 minutes past 9.
 The specter bade me adieu with a motion of his hand the door opened for him of it's own accord and closed behind him.
 The whole tale was told so simply and so naturally that 1t was clear either that the events he had described had actually taken place or that. intensely absorbed in the anticipation of ghost ly visit from his father. he had been the victim of an hallucination.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
The Villain Appears

Six months passed. When the captain sailed he had made Emile promise to continue her receptions. for he had every confidence in his wife and feared nothing so much as the reputation Of jealous man.
 So Emile continued to receive her friends, though she confined her re- captions to those of her intimate cir cle, and her mothers presence took away every possible pretext for slan- der from the most evil-minded
 So no one ever whispered a word against her fair fame.
 Then, one day, through a mutual friend, M de Chateaus- -Renaud obtained an introduction to Emile and soon be- came one of the most constant at tendants at her receptions.
 As soon as Louis saw him he had a presentiment that evil was to follow. At the sight of Chateau Renaud he shudered as if some one had been walkings over his grave.
 Chateau Renaud entirely ignored Louis and his behavior toward Emilio was that of a well-bred man of the V orld in every respect.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
Invited to Sumner

Louis went to the ball, taking his new friend the traveller, with him. They arrived at 12:30
 They walked about the crowded halle and corridors for time and then Louis suddenly said, "Ah there is my bunch of violets" and left the side of his companion abruptly
 ''Ah, my dear boy. 1t is really youI Welcome home again." said a voice and the traveller turned to shake hands with an old friend of his. who said:
 You are come back just in the nick of time, for I am to give a little supper tonight. Five or six of these fair ladies, in masks will be there and our friends and he ran off a list of four or five names of their mutual friends-"we shall count upon you without fail"
 "A thousand thanks, my dear boy, was the reply. but I can't accept-I am not alone"
 70, bring him along also. What Is the proverb? Our friends friends you know"
 T will suggest 1t to him"
 If he declines bring him by force
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
Sure of His Own Death

''I shall die" replied Louis, in tone of conviction, "at 10 minutes past g."
 Why, man, you are mad. It is true you say you have never fired pistol, but Chateau-Renaud may miss for all that, and you may not"
 ''No"--I shall die at the exact time I tell you. Did not my brother tell you of a peculiar privilege possessed by the male members of our family?"
 Yes"
 Well, then, last night my father ap- peared to me. was simple as pos sible--and as natural l was reading waiting for him, for 1 knew he would come.
 At the stroke of l ? my lamp grew dim of itself, the door opened softly and my father appeared He slowly approached me Welcome, father l said
 He looked at me nxedly and 1t seemed as if his glassy eyes were light ed up with the strength of his paternal love.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
An Unwilling Guest

All promised volubly-not that they meant to keep such A promise; but they were all very hungry and consequently in great hurry to get to the table.
 They went Into the dining room and took their places. There were two va- cant seats reserved for Chateau-Renaud and the person he was expected to bring with him.
 "IIe was to be here by or he loses the bet" said the host.
 The feast began; the glasses clinked, were filled and renlled; babel of voices arose and Q great chatter of knives and folks.
 The inging of bell attracted every hody's attention and the company sud denly relapsed into an expectant silence. There was the sound of something like @ discussion in the anteroom and the host went to the door.
 T heard her voice. said Louis under his breath.
 But madame. intreat you to enter the host was saying.
 Pray do come in. my dear Emelie. " came the voice Of ChateauRenaud, you may keep your mask on if you like"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
Just Returned From Corsica

Still they remained wonderfully alike in form and feature-there was no ob- servable difference in looks between them except the tan of the one and the pale ness of the other
 And now. seated with Louis de Fran chi in his room in Paris. brought there by the business of the duel which was im- pending with M Chateau-Renaud, was a traveller who had but recently returned from trip to Co.--ca and, lured by the hope of seeing a vendetta in operation, had penetrated to the remote region in which lay the town of Sullacaro.
 There he had been a guest of the house of the widow De Franchi
 For the father of the twins was dead. He had expired soon after the settlement of his vendetta with the Guidice family having, apparently, nothing left to live for.
 And old fashioned Corsican without a vendetta is liable to expire from sheer ennui.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
Compromise Rejected

T have sent to ask my friend, the Baron Giordana, to act with you" said Louis. The seconds of Chateau Renaud have already been here. Here are their cards. After breakfast you and the baron will wait upon them"
 Vainly did the baron try to get Louia to consent to some compromise in the matter Tt must take place was Louis reply. "Chateu Renaud has chal- lenged me and l am forced to accept.
 So the arrangeemnts were completed. Pistols were the weapons agreed upon and the hour 9 o'clock the next morn ing; the place, the woods of Vincennes.
 That evening the traveller called upon Louis and asked him if he had any com mission with which to intrust him.
 Louis replied. The night brings counsel" and begged that his friend would wait until the next morning for an answer
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
All His Imagination

Chateu- Renaud was a typical man of the world-a dandy-a lion in society. Louis recognzed his superiority to him. self in many ways, but yet he thought the Emelie put her new friend upon higher plane than he deserved
 It was not long before the attentions paid to Emelie by Chateau-Renaud be- came so marked that others besides Louis noticed and spoke about 1t.
 Louis resolved to speak to Emelie. He did so and was struck dumb when she laughing. said that he was mad that 1t was all his magination--tha4. any way. she could not trust his opin- ion, for man in love was prejudiced.
 Louis was covered with confusion. her husband had told her everything.
 Thenceforth his part became a ridicu-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
An Anonymous Letter

But though Louis no longer attended Emiiies receptions he continued to hear about her, still knew what she was do- ing. and his unhappiness did not de- crease. i aA AA
 For Chateau -Renauds attentions to the wife of his friend became a matter of common notoriety and gossip.
 1t was at this period of affairs that his brother Lucien, far away in Culla- caro, In the wilds of Corsica had felt some deep dejection and knew that his brother in Paris was in trouble.
 The very day that the traveller who had enJoined the De Franchi hospital ity in Corsica arrived back in Paris and presented Louis the letter from his brother and his mother the young law student received an anonymous letter from some woman saying that she wanted to meet him at the ball de POpera that evening.
 She wished she said to tell him cer- tain things concerning a lady of his ac- quaintance whose Christian name only she would give. That name was Emelie.
 He was to recognize the writer, who would. of course, be masked, as dom ino wearing bouquet of violets.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
The Woman in the Case

Of course there was woman in the case and it hapepned this way
 Louis de Franchi had been in Paris about a year. Soon after his arrival at the capital friend of his, a naval officer, captain of a frigate, had in troduced him to his wife.
 She was young, beautiful and alto gether fascinating. The captain begged that Louis would make himself at home in his house, but the young law stu dent---he was only just 21-seldom took advantage of his friends hospitality.
 The fair young wife had made such deep impression upon the Corsican upon the occasion of their first meeting that he was afraid he might fall in love
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
Where Travellers Are Welcome

In the remote part of Corsica where lies the town of Sullacaro choosing a hotel is not difficult-or expensive. When the traveller comes In sight of a town his guide asks where his excel lency would like o put up and his ex- cellency has only to designate the house which most takes his fancy and ride up to it's front door.
 |. He will be received with every mark Of respect and his host will inform him that he honors the house by choosing 1t as his place of sojourn.
 It matters not whether 1t be man sion or hut, the owner will welcome the traveller and give him half his dinner and the whole of his bed if he have but one.
 Mime de Franchi, whose house was the best one in the town, has welcomed the traveller from Paris with true and open hospitality.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
To Settle a Bet

The gay young man stroiled away ana soon Louis returned from his interview with the lady of the violets. He seemed much worried and depressed.
 Forgive me" said the traveller. but what is it that so disturbs you? You are in trouble; tell me what is the mat tor.'
 Louis did not reply but walked back and forth two or three times moodily.
 The supper was suggested to him by his friend It was to begin at 3 o'clock and when Louis heard the name of the young man who was to play the host he gave a little nervous start and eagerly accepted the invitation.
 When Louis was presented to the young man who was to be his host at the sup per that gay and butterfly youth said
 'Tf you sup with us tonight you must also do the same thing day after tomor- row night, because Chateau Renaud has made a bet.
 Tt is too long a story to tell here besides. there is a certain person whc would cause him to lose if she heard of it-jealousy. you understand
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
Returned from the Grave

Five days after the duel about II o'clock at night as the traveller was sic ting at his writing table. his servant cana in with a scared face, stammerins ous that M de Franchi wished 10 see him
 "What2' cried the traveller
 70 monsieur" cried the servant, '1 dc not know what 1t is. but 1t Is M ds Franchi-monsieur's friend know that We were so unfortunate as to lose him five days ago, but he is there and wants to come in.
 You are mad-the anteroom was dlmls lighted and you did not see straight"
 70. l saw monsieur: I swear to you, monsieur, that l am not mistaken
 The visitor entered: the traveller started from his chair and took a step back; 70 all outward appearances the man who nal been killed in the duel five days be- fore stood before him
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
Tricked for a Wager

Emelie entered the room, dragged in rather than escorted, by the host and Chateu- Renaud.
 He wins Chateau Renaud winsn' cried the merry company
 Not yet" said Emelie in an even and determined voice. lis 1t then true, sir that you have made me the subject of beta wager that you would bring me here to supper? I see now why you were so persistent.
 "Gentlemen. M. Chateau-R Renaud has lost For I had no idea where he was taking me, but thought that l was go- ing to sup with one of my friends of my own sex.
 fHe has tricked me and therefore. think should be adjudged loser of his wager ! will beg M. Louis de Franchi. whom ! see here, to give me his arm and take me home.
 T beg you to remember. madame, said Chateau Renaud between set teeth, that I brought you here, and, there fore. it is l who should take you home. .
 "Gentlemen" cried Emelie, there are five men here and l will put myself In the keeping of your honor. I trust that you will prevent NJ. Chateau Renaud from offering me any violence
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
Days of Torment

And yet when he took his leave, the first night he called, Louis de Franchi had already begun to hate him. Why was it? He could not tell.
 Perhaps it was because he saw, or fanceid he saw, that the sight of Emile had produced upon Chateau Re- maud the same effect as the first sight of her had upon himself.
 It seemed to Louis that Emilies man Ter, when she received Chateau-Re- maud, was unusually coquettish. He was wrong, no doubt, but then he had never ceased to love the woman and he was jealous in spite of himself.
 At the next reception Louis could not keep his eyes off Chateau Renaud. Perhaps Chateau Renaud noticed it. for Louis fancied that when he and Emile talked together in an undertone he was trying to make himself anus ing at the Corsican's expense.
 Thereafter every Friday-Emilie's re- ccption day-was a day of torment to Louis.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
At Ten Minutes Past Nine

The word was given and both men fired SD close together that the pistols seemed to make but one report. De Franehi turned around twice and fell 10 tha ground
 Chateau-Renaud did not move: LouiB' hall had pierced the skirt of his coat. They unhottoned Louis coat and tore away his waistcoat and shirt.
 The ball had entered the body just be- low the sixth rib on the right side and came out just above the left hip.
 Some one ran to a neighborng bar- racks for surgeon, but it was too late Louis heaved himself up. gave a great sigh and fell back dead. His friend looked al his watch It was 10 minutes past 9i
 The duel created no talk, evervthina about 1t was hushed up. The letter to Louis mother was immediately dis- patched
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10

the house and then Chateu- Renaud cried out:
 70, we'll never mind, I have lost; that is all. We will meet tomorrow night at the Freres ProvenceauX."
 The supper began again but. in spite of the forced hilarIfy of ChateauRe maud. was rather somber.
 Now you know why a peaceful trav- eler of literary proclivities and that lover of peace, M. Louis de Franchi, were met in the apartments of the lat ter to arrange for a duel to the death.
 And also you know of the woman in the case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
"The Dead Never L;a,

Rut quickly the startled traveller recov- cred himself. The man before him was. of course. Lucien, the twin brother oe the dead man. He said that he had only arrived in Paris 10 minutes before and had hastened to the house.
 The traveller hastily reckoned un shr time that had elapsed since he had mailed the letter 10 Louis brother. The letter could scarcely have reached Ataecio. much less sulacaro.
 T know everything said Luoian, .ev- erything"
 Did you get the letter."
 No, We have received no letter..
 Explain"
 The dead travel quickly" replied Ial. cicn Do you forget what [ told you about the privileges of our fam1lyY T nave seen my brother he is dead. Ha came to me during the night of the 16t. and ldh. He told me everything. Tho dead never lie.
 He was killed in duel by man named Chateau-Renaud. I am come tp avenge him. But look at this"
 He opened his shirt and showed n blus mark on the skin below the sixth rib on the right side
 And the ball came out here, did if notY and he placed his finger above ths left hip. He died at 10 minutes past as
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
By ALEXANDER DUMAS

send the letter, that they may think I died natural death."
 At the appointed time they were on the dueling ground-Louis with his seconds ond Chateau-Renaud with his. On the way Louis and his seconds had stopped at gun shop and hired a couple Of dueling pistols.
 "Gentlemen." said the viscount de Chateaugrand. one of chateau-Renaud's seconds, there should be a clearing off here to the right where I had an ex- perience of this sort on my own account last year. It would be a better place than this avenue, where we are liable to be interrupted"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10

with her-and Louis de Franchi was a man of honor.
 The captain complained of Louis ap- parent indifference, whereupon the cosi- can told him the truth-which was that his wife was entirely too fascinating for him to risk seeing her often The cap- tain smiled. shook Louis by the hand and insisted upon his dining with them that very day
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
Strangely United

At their birth they were joined to- gether by a ligament Their bodies were cut apart, but between the two boys there always had existed the greatest sympathy
 It was, in fact, more than sympa thy; it was strange sort of union, physical and spiritual.
 It seemed almost as if they had but one body, for what effected the one physically was sure to effect the other when one was Ill the other was.
 So with their mentality-when one was depressed in mind-so was the other when one was joyous. so was the other
 And this happened, no matter how many miles intervened between them; it was as potent when they were 3o0O miles apart, the one in Paris and the cther in Sullacaro. as when they lived in the same house at home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10

and the living De Franchis and between the two brothers was thing which re- quired no imagination at all from the Corsicans-it was quite natural.
 When Louis and Lucian were children their parents had to tie ribbons of diff ferent colors on them to tell them apart.
 But as they grew older the studious habits of Louis caused him to be paler than his brother, who was bronzed by the out of door life he led after the old Corsican fashion-shooting. hunting. fish ing, mountain climbing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
A Certain Person

Louis. who was walking arm in arm with the traveller gripped the arm he held with a convulsive movement and turned very pale
 The certain person. referred to was, of course. the unknown domino with the violets who had told the Corsican of the bet and the proposed supper-evidently some woman who thought she had prior claim upon Chateau-Renaud-a hay ing learned of his intentions proposed to illustrate them.
 As the time set for the supper ap- preached Louis and his traveller friend left the opera house and walked to the Louse where the supper was to take place it was but short distance away.
 Louis turned deaf ear to the sug- gestion of his friend that it would be bet- Ger, after all. for them both to let the supper go and return to their habita- tions.