Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-04-02

not LIE Bonf been charmed by Eugenia
ftz-Herbert. As soon as he began to
pay her noticeable attention she saw
that the fact troubled Van Tromp.
10 analyze a woman's reasons for an
act Is usually hopeless task. Eu
genia gave lie Bouf some slight en-
enlargement Why she did so no one
could tell Some thought 1t an ordinary
desire to pique him with view to
assure herself that she held him in
thrall. Some thought that she had
been captivated with that aggressive
air OF superiority which the creole as
sumed over most of those with whom
he came in contact The event proved
that she was influenced by neither of
these
When man loves,a woman. and an
other man intrudes himself between
MIN and her unless she makes a quick
decision between the two. there Ia ia.
Die to be trouble between the men
EuGenia. while she did not change In
her treatment OF Van Tromp, gave LIE
Bout Just enough encouragement to
cause him TO think he might win her.
The blood between the rivals grew hot.
ter npnce. ana II was not long before,
one evening while the young men Of
the neighborhood were RECALLING them.
selves NJ the tavern. lie Bout spoke
contelnptnously to vanTromp. instant
ly all conversation ceased. the party be-
ing shocked by the act Had the Gre
ole spoken the same to any other Of
the men present there would have
been resentment. followed by q duel.
Whit would the weakling dor
Van TromP seemed pleased rather
than irrltnteh Taking a glove from
his pocket, he drew 1t lightly across
the face OF MA Insulter.
This II MI wrong" exclaimed one
OF the Virginians mt. Van Tromp Is
an invalid.
Gentlemen. said Van Tromp. ris-
ing. Il have never approved Of the
method of settling disputes more prev.
alent I'm the south than with us in the
north, but confess that 1t Ii q boon
to me. may not be able to stand up
against an enemy. with a rapier, but
need no strength to fire a pistol If !
am challenged the choice of weapons
rests with me. and shall choose the
latter. And. furthermore. propose to
kill my enemy
There was a cold bloodedness in the
speakers tone that impressed those
present and sent chill to lie Bout
Nothing more was said at the time.
the party breaking up. The sympa
thies were with Van Tromp because
he was an invalid, because he was
much liked and because the creole's
assumption Of superiority had preju.
diced them against him One Of the
young men offered to stand as Van
Tromp's substitute In the affair, bnt he
declined the offer with thanks, ex-
pressing surprise that It had been
made.
LIE Bout saw at once that he was IN
an unfortunate position. He was com.
PEELED TO challenge Van Tromp, who
he knew had the sympathies Of the
others present and would, when the
affair became known. elicit the sympa.
thies Of the planters generally. On
consultation With others he was ad
vised to send Van Tromp an apology
for the words spoken at the tavern
He did so, and reply was returned
that the apology was not accepted
He then reluctantly sent a challenge
which Van fromp placed In the hands
of friend with instructions to choose
the derringer pistol used In duels. The
seconds arranged that the meeting
should take place in a secluded spot
the next morning, the second after the
insult
II was impossible to keep the meet
ing a secret The afternoon previous to
the meeting brother Of Eugenia said
to her:
Gene. Van Tromp is to have
chance TO prove his mettle He's going
to meet lie Bonf tomorrow morning."
Eugenia turned pale.
when and wherer' she asked
eagerly
Nobody knows. It's only known
that they're going to fight"
EuGenia snid no more but sought the
cabin OF sam. n negro. who adored her
and would have given his life for her
She instructed him to discover and let
her know the time and place Of the
coming duel Sam gained the informa-
ton from the servants Of the princi
pals. the negroes having lain In wait
for II at the keyhole.
The next day. when. in the gray Of
the morning, two duelist parties had
assembled. Eugenia rode up 10 the
ground. jumped from her horse and ad.
vanced TO a point between them.
II am To blame for this" she said
1T must go no further"
The principals stood still and said
nothing.
One Of the seconds, after an embar.
rassiDg pause. asked lie Bout II he
would withdra " his challenge.
Certainly" he said. Anything the
lady commands"
DO you permit the wlthdrawaIY
Van Tromp was asked.
mo"
Eugcnla looked at him rcpronchfully.
mot for my sakeT
mo" was the firm reply LET rs
proceed
Eugenia went to him. kneeled before
him and begged him to yield He was
Obdurntp until she assured him that