DUEL BETWEEN BEAUTIES.

North Otago Times, 5 December 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

DUEL BETWEEN BEAUTIES.

FEMININE AFFAIR OF HONOUR

IN A PARISIAN SUBURB

The latest sensation in tho French capital has been a duel between two well-known Parisian ladies, who were as scrupulous in adhering to the details of the "code of honour" as any two contestants of the sterner sex who ever crossed swords. Gossip ■ led to this Sanguine outcome—for it was carried on until,one of the women was actually wounded.

In consequence of a dispute growing out 01 matters absolutely confidential, Mile. De Namias sont her seconds, Mmes. ])o 8 — and D— jto Mine. Aiulrco d'Alaza to ask an apology or satisfaction from her by recourse to arms.

■Mine. D'Alaza refused tq retract anything. A duel w'ns thereupon decided upon after a conference among the four seconds. '•The following conditions were the formally agreed upon for the duel;

"Jllle. De Namais is recognised to bo the offended party,

"The weapon chosen is -tho regulation duelling rapier, "Sleeveless chemisettes, light shoes, and gloves at will are the restrictions as to clothing. "A space of 15 metres (lG'.yavds) behind each , contestant is allowed, and ground gained in any onsltfugli't is allowed tq the advantage .of thoj onogdtnMlTft;" * ' ~ "Each onslaught is to last two minutes, with two-minute intervals of rest.

"Tho duel shall cease upon the order of the seconds, following their consultation with the physicians in attendance."

These rules were rigidlv enforced by the seconds and by the appointed director of the affair. The duel .took place, as arranged, in the Fare de Cabassud, at Villc d'Avray, a suburb of Paris, and it is described as having been • a spirited encounter. The contestants arrived in the park with their seconds shortly after dawn. They stripped off their coats and waists on cither side of a grassy enclosure, while the physicians took the rapiers from their cases and dipped, them in an antiseptic solution. Then, sword in hand, the two women faced each other. BojLh were apparently calm, but the bitterness between them was easy to be seen. They glanced coldly at each other, but struck each other's guard sharply as the word to begin was given. For the first two minutes neither gave ground. The two women went at each other savagely, and had to. bo separated at the expiration of the period for the first engagement. During the second period of t\\'o minutes it was pretty much the same, neither wounding the other and neither giving ground. The third bout with the swords proved decisive. Jljle. De Naniias "rushed" her antagonist, and the latter cried out that she was "touched." Her seconds ran up to her, and ' she fell into their arms, Mine.' D'Alaza had been w'ounded in tho right shoulder. Physicians examined the wound, and pronounced it not dangerous, but lime, D'Alaza was too weak to go on with the duel.

Nevertheless Mine, D'Alaza refused to mako any apology to Mile. De Naniias, and the latter left' the field, compelled to accept as sufficient satisfaction her having wounded her adversary. The result of the duel was stated in a Paper drawn up and signed by tho seconds and by the physicians.

The duel was actually cinomatogrnphed by agreement between the principals, in order that the vifctoi" might have thereafter the gratification of gloating over tho sickening scene.