The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-12-27


tie psussd and the dreadful pnroxysm seemed
TO subside. lie threw one of his cards IN
Apsley. excl.lmed hoarsriy, when, where,
and hnw you will, sir"
"Why, come, now, Beau, that's right
that's like man J" said ApsIey, with
mock-civili,y. "Suppose we say to-mor-
row morning! ! have cured you of
roguery tonight, and, with the blessing
of God, will cure you Of cowardice to-
morrow. But, pardon me, your last
stakes nre forfeit" he added abruptly,
seeing Beauchamp approach the spot
where his last stake, bill for 1907 was
lying, NOT having been taken up. He
looked appealingIy 10 the company, who
decided instantly against him. Beau
champ, with the hurry and agitation con-
sequent on his assault upon Apsley, had
forgotten that he had really played away
the note. swell, sir, there remains moth
ing TO keep me here" said BeauchamP
calmly-with the calmness of despair
"except settling our mornings meeting.
Name your friend, sir" he continued
sternIy-yet his heart was breaking with
tu
"Oh--aye," replied Apsley, eareIessly
looking up from the cards he was shuf-
fling and arranging. "Let me see,
Hitler, will YOU do the needfnl for me
J leave every thing IN your h@nds." At
ter vain attempts to brn"g ahou' com
prornise--for your true gamblers hate
such affairs. not from personal fear, but
the publicity they occasion 20 their doings
were finally arranged Sir Ed
ward Streighton, undertaking for Beau
champ. The hour of meeting was half
past six o'clock IN the morning.; and the
place, field near Knights-bridge. The
unhappy Bcauchamp then withdrew, af-
ter shaking Sir Edward by the hand,
who promised to call at his lodgings by
four o'clock--'for we shall break up by
hat time, dare say" he whispered.
When the door was closed upon Beau
champ he reeled of the steps, and stag
gered along the street like drunken
man. Whether or not he was deceived
he knew not; but in passing under she
windows Of the room where the ficndish
was sitting, he fanc:ed he heard
the sound ofloud laughter. 1t was about
two O'Clock of a winters morning. The
snow fell fast, and the air was freezingly
cold. Not soul but himself seemed
A watchm,n seeing his un-
steady gate, crossed the street, touched
his hat, and asked il he should call him
"A coach hut he was answered with such
. ghastiy imprecatlon, that he skunk back
in silence. Tongue cannot tell the dis
traction and misery with which Beau
champs soul was shaken. He'll seemed
to have lit its raging fires within hln,.
He fell affrigllted az being alone in the
desolate, dark, deserted streets. His
last six months life seemed unrolled sud-
denly before him like hlighting scroll,
written in LETTERS Of fire. Overcome by
his emotions, his shaking knees refused
their support, and he safe down on the
steps of IA house in Pi ,cadilly. He told
me afterwards, that he distinctly recOl-
lected feeling for some implement of de-
struciion aud that il he had discovered
his penknift, he should have assuredly
have cut his til Oat. After sitting Oh the
stone for about "a quarter of an hour,
|,areheaded-for he had removed hts hat, +,
lha, his burning forehead might he cooled
he made towards his lodgings. He thun-
1ersd irnpetuously ut the door, and wns
admitted. His shivering, half
asleep servant fell back before his masters
riyhting countenance, aud glaring
Dloodsho. eyes, --"Lock the door, sir, and
follow me to my rOon," SAID Beauchamp,
IN u loud voice.
"Sir-sir-sir," stammered the SER
want, as if he were going to ask some
question.
"Silence sir !" thundered his master /;
and the man, laying down his candle on
tho stairs, went aud barred the door.
Beauchamp hurried up stairs, md opened
the door Of his sitting room. He was as
Ionished and alarmed to find blaze Of
light in the room Suspecting fire, he
rushed into the middle Of the room, aud
beheld--his mother and cousin bending
towards him, and staring fixedly at him
with the hue and expression Of two mar
Bile images Of horror His mothers
white hair hung dishevelled down each
side Of her ghastly features; and her eyes,
with those Of her niece, who safe beside
her, clasping her aunt convulsively round
he waist. seemed on the point of starting
from their sockets. They moved not,
hey spoke not. The hideous upparition
in IN instant from the darkning
eyes of Beauchamp, for he dropped the
candle he held 'n his hand, and fell ut full
ength senseless on the floor.
Il was no occular d-lus'on, uoih,ng spec.
IfsI. ba, IIosKos iooki"g oul ,lr"ogu De" D.
ing flesh and blood, in the persons vi M,s.