Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-08-19

INTO It AT the farther end, though ssseen |
himself, Beeour saw his children, sporting
IN All the joyousness Of infancy.
He took up bis pen to write--a challenged
but his own brain Was distracted, and hls
hand refused lis Office lie rose from bis ST at,
and drawing the curtains OF the window ,oncc
more attempted TO write, when shout OF
gladness and the sound Of hight approach
iHg foot, again paralyzed his hand, aud sns-
pended his mental powers The neat mo-
ment, a little Intruder, it was bis petite Lucy.
had drawn aside the curtains. Seeing her
father there, she uttered an exclamation of
joy. and ran half across the rsom, with ex
tended arms, 10 his embrace. when she recol-
lected that her mama, and her sIs.er aud
brother, did not know tho good news--ihat
papa had come houe," and she turned sud
denly back, and with eager haste, soughsihe
gigdca And the air rang with mLgatine
shouts of giadness; and the quick SQUADS uf
half dozen fairy feet weTe heard. running
race of love, whose rsIze was TO be fathers
first kiss. Which WAS first, CT which was last
it was scarcely possible TO say, for they seem
ell 10 settle on him simultaneously hike so ma
ny bees.
allow long have you been at home, my
dear Edwin," inquired Mrs. Bcleosr. as she
entered the room. in tones OF surprise, "and
y
garden this afternoon"
Belcour excused himself for his unwon,ed
conduct, on the score Of particular business,
adding, that he should be obliged to passt that
evening in privacy with his friend Colonel
Drunmond, whom he expected shortly
However unwclcoine the intelligence TO those
who heard it, II occasioned sorrow only: anu
met with resigned acqnIcscence.
'ris wretefici man was ones more left TO
his own disirecting thoaghts. Some while
he would resolve not to send challenge. that
BIC would disregard, defy the voice vi man.
and listen along 10 that Of ieason, OF fec.ing,
aud Of God; but again and again, saliered IN
his resolution. The loud voice OF shame rang
ia his ears. and the look OF scorn stared him
in the face. How could lac bear these aad
live? Whilst thus waveiing as to his own
condect upon the matter, a letter was bro't IN
1t was challenge from Careu on the plea
OF Gun eallcmanly AID tFeaeherous conduct"
"Msisnsnt maalr exclaimed 5elcour, as
he paced the room with AN asitatea step;
lie has not wife whom he iases-he has
not the feelings of a parent Oh. surely sure
" could he know--&ould he see--aad i,c MaH
know lie sit.il see how fair SCENE las hand
is about to desolate."
1t the time Of the quarrel ia The mess
room, Dclcour foreseeing lis possible iernan-
: alton, had begged OF his friend. Cob Drum
mond, 10 cali Oh him that evening. lie came,
AND be,cour showed him the challenge. ii
must accept accept ~ said l'elcour, --"but
he shall know that he seeks the blood OF n pa
rent and husband will only agree to
meet him on the condition that he shal break
FAST la this house before we Proceed to the
ground"
Strange as Drnmmond thought tho request
4 a ~ ff4lt.
this conditional acceptance Of the ehallen8e
was communicated 10 Carew, he professed
himself wiling to comply with tho" somewhat
extraordinary wish" In fact, he thought it
resulted FROM a wish, on tle part OF Beieoar,
TO bring about an amicaLle arrangement, to
which in BIS owa mind, he had determined
not TO aegede.
The appointed morning came. and Carcw,
with friend, who was 10 act re his second,--
both OF them armed ia all the stoeai symps-
thy of honor, kept the appointbico ct at BAL
eoar's house, from whence they were to pro
coed TO the ground no strangers, as such
they were, except by name, to Mrs. u. were
sever,iy introduced 10 her IN The breakfast
par,or--and met with that kiad. warm wei
come, which an ascetionate wife must al
! ways give to her husbands friends. bat as
Carew lightly pressed her proilt red hand,
chill of horror seemed to shoot through his
veins, back 10 his very heart. "Another
hour pei haps,p he thought. ''and what may
YOU, may your husband what may ibe then"
The touch Of that hand, ii il had not awoke
his conscience, had disturbed il, aad made IT
restless in its slumbers.
During the repast, Carew grew more and
more uneasy. Every fresh little display Of
hospitxsle Kindness, on the part oil slrs. Bel
eour, seemed like dagger piercing his heart,
and reused still more tho monitor within.
strange feeling, 10 truth, seemed 10 have
seized on all present.
You have seen but part OF my posses
sions yet, gentlemen: anu rich man, as
sure you," said Becour, with assumed com
posure, as soon as the brcakla,t was ended;
and he rang the bell, upon which his three
chidren, the el!est boy, about SIX years
Of age, The other two were .lrls, moeh Joun-
entered the paFleI. The irask and no
ble bearing of the boy, and the air OF d,fii
denee and gen,lencss ia the little girls, could
not fail 70 excite the admiration OF every one.
Carew beAeid them with feelings Of added
and deeper horror. He stroye in yain to raise
himself into stoiclsra: when conscience IS once
thoroughly awakened, after long sleep OF
wears, il IS no easy matter to hush Il again TO
rcpose The little boy had given his hand
with friendly and Pleasing sonhdenee TO The
strangers, aud now offered it 70 Sarew; but
lac shrunk from ii, and said wildly, mo! not
20 me, INV child"
Mrs Releous Looked with concern and sur