The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-08-05
IheCountess de
la Tour
By WILLARD BLAKEMAN

young Jules FerTier. whom you have
wounded nearly to death. and to say
further that the next duel you fight
will be your last
Having thus spoken, the messenger
turued and went away, leaving Cap.
tain Molynoux to understand that If
he fought another duel the cardinal
would have him executed under an
edict recently promulgated
MolynOux desired that the fact that
he had been forbidden to fight again
should have publicity in order that If
occasion required him to vindicate
his honor the reason for his refrainng
from doing so might not be misunder
stood He determined therefore to
celebrate his retirement from the field
by giving u supper to the most emf
nent fighting men In Paris. He chose
twelve persons to be his guests. but it
appears that even at that day fatuIi-
ty was attached to the number 13, Cor
the captain. on remembering that host
and guests together would make up
that number. withheld the last invita-.
ton. which had not yet been sent.
Several of his guests had been out"
with him and had lived TO become his
friends. Indeed. If any one turned up
who bad fought with him he Cancelled
an invitation in order to honor his
former opponent. These details took
up some time. and 1t was several
weeks before the supper came or.
All Paris was talking about the COM
ing affair. and many with regret that
Captain Molynoux would not now be
punished for his two last duels, for
which he had been much blamed. In
the first of the two he had killed
young man who was engaged to Mile.
st. Claire. the very day before the
wedding was to have taken place. TO
avenge this murder her brother. a
STRIPPING of seventeen. haG challenged
Molynoux and had been dangerously
wounded for his pains. 1t was nat
ural, therefore, that all who detested
such heartlessness should regret that
the captain had been ordered not to
fight again. for 1t might happen that
he would In time meet man capable
Of furnishing him for his acts.
The supper took place at one Of the
noted hostelrios of the time on that
street which is now the Rue Rivoli.
The cloth was laid In private room,
with an anteroom where the host re-
I ceived his guests. AS they arrived his
salutations were noteworthy. AHA.
Lemoyne. my old enemy! am de-
ltnhtad Nn stpnvnr old FOL.
low. had you come an inch nearer with
your rapier to my heart in that little
affair of ours | might not now be here
to receive you"
There was n merry time. All Paris
knew that the supper among these
heroes was going on, and all Paris
wished that they might look In on
such nm unusual banquet. It was COM
ing to an end when messenger. en-
tered and said:
captain Molynoug. a lady waits
without who has requested me to say
| to you that since those who have met
| you In the field have been preferred
In your invitations she wonders why
you have left her out"
"a Iady-who has been out with
me!'
"Yes, captain. and she claims that
she can prove to have had that honor"
"That is impossible have never
| fought woman"
The lady herself pushed passed her
own messenger. who retired and took
( up her own case. Captain" she said,
you will admit having fought and
killed Antoine In Tour on the day be-
fore his intended marriage with Mile.
St. Clnire?"
~ do"
"And wounded Mile. st. Claire's
brother?"
"Yes."
"You did not fight her brother--you
fought Mile. st. Claire herself. wearing
her brothers clothes and personating
him"
| "Ah!"
Here is the wound you made In my
neck"
She lowered the lace from or an
ugly scar that seemed not yet entirely
healed Molynoux, who had risen
caught at the back OF his chair
This feast is to celebrate your re-
tirement from the field, but In way
you have not anticipated. The cardi
nal will not know of this your last
duel We can all be pledged to keep
the secret"
She turned, locked the door and put
the key In her pocket
mon Dieu!" exclaimed several guests
at breath. I'VE are thirteen"
The next morning the news spread
over Paris that Captain Molynoux had
been killed In II duel at his banquet in
tended to celebrate his retirement from
the dueling field. But who was his
opponent no one but the cnrhlnai evel
knew. He announced that whoever
had killed Captain Molynoux should
lose his head and gave orders that the
culprit should be brought before him
"What-A woman" exclaimed Richie
lieu.
"Yes. your eminence. a woman and