Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1913-09-05
By WILLARD BRAKEMAN

ty was attached to the number IL, for
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 had fought with him be Cancelled
an invitation in order to honor his
former opponent. These details took
up some time. and it was several
weeks before the supper came OF.
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 be had been much blamed. In
the first Of the two he had killed a
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.
STRIPPING of seventeen. had challenged
Mblynoux 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 it 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 hostelrtcs Of the time on that
street which is now the Rue Rivoli.
The cloth was laid in private room.
with an antero0m where the host re-
ceived his guests. As they arrived his
salutat ions were noteworthy. AHA,
Lemoyne, my old enemy! l am de.
. lighted to see yOu!" Boyer. old fel-
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 a merry time. All Paris
knew that the supper among these
heroes was going on. and all Paris
wished that they might look in o.
such an unusual banquet. 1t was com
ing to an emu when a messenger en-.
tered and said: <....-.
Captain Molynoux. 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 lady-who has been out with
mel"
"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 la Tour on the day be-
fore his intended marriage with Mile.
st. Claire?''
Il do
And wounded Mile. St. Claire's
brother?' -,
Eyes"
'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 of 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 a 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 a duel at his banquet in
tended to celebrate his retirement from
the dueling field. But who was his
opponent no one but the cardinal ever
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. s.
Eyes. your eminence. a woman and
an avenger! Captain Molynoux killed
my brother in a duel. In mans attire
fought Molynoux. but be wounded
me nigh unto death. AS one Of his
former combatants gained admission
to his banquet. We fought again. and
I killed him. : ,ss.s
You are pardoned. " said the scardi-
! nal 'created Countess de Il Tour. .
81