Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-10-27


impatient feelings. So far from needing
the entreaties and counsel< of his beloved
his first act upon leaving her was to write
cartel TO his rival. Carefully sealing anC
addressing the letter, he retired that nigh
filed with thoughts of the intended duel
These so much disturbed his slumbers
that on entering his chamber early the
next morning, his domestic found him al
ready up.
| Take this letter to its address-to NJ
de Marsan."
NJ. Dutiaeul bowed profoundly. but wa.
silent, and the officer continued -" My
father, as You know, is the intimate friend
OF NJ. Dubois. am intimate also with
his son. with whom. serving in the same
regiment. frequently meet. My father
desires me to espouse the daughter of his
old friend, and have more thsn once
thanked my stars, which. in placing me
in the garrison at Versailles, appear will
ling to facilitate this union. I have seen
Nam 'selle Cecile, and, of course, have
loved her. You will readily believe that
it WAS not difficult to do so. NJ. Debois
has frankly told me of your passion for
his daughter. He tells me that she re-
turns it, but you will agree with me that
young fellow in love is not apt to doubt
that, with little diligence, he can make
himself beloved in turn, especially. when
he brings into the field. youth, wealth,
excellent connections. and some physical
advantages. You will therefore pardon
me, sir. that did not despair of success,
even when l heard that you had already
anticipated me and l resolved by all
means to dispute with you the hand of
Ma 'seile Dubois. had also, with the
advantages ah-ady urged, the MS
sent of her father and the friendship OF
her brother. In Short. sir. flattered
myself hat | would not have found it diff
ticalt after time, to win the compliance
of the daughter herself"
F" This is cool, sir !'' exclaimed Leopold,
haughiily.
=" That is my opinion, sir. speak thus
to make you comprehend fully that your
claims have had nothing to do with my
withdrawal from the field. have chan
ged my intentions. and beg leave to re-
nounce forever. all claims 10 the hand of
m'selle Dubois. l have deemed it
only due to you to let you know thus
much. In me, sir. you see rival no
longer. So far as l am concerned you
are at liberty to marry the young lady
whenever you please
Indeed. sir, " exclaimed Leopold. quite
overcome by what he heard. :" But do
they know-does Cecile --''
They know nothing. sir.'
But your reasons for this renuncia-
;ion ?''
Are mine only. sir. not yours-and
must not declare them. Enough. sir.
that they have determined my course,
and enabled me to Withdraw any difficult
ty which my pretentiuns might have offer
ed 10 your pursuit. OF my reasons for
this step l shall give you no account t-you
have no right TO demand them. am
aware. regarding her brother and sister
as do. what is my duty TO them shall
discharge that duty also. Sir, have the
honor to wish you very good morning !"
| With n low bow, NJ. de Marsan took
his departure, leaving NJ. Dutifeul to his
meditalions.
CHAPTER III.
| Sharp physic is the last
| Ii this be true which makes me pale 10 read it.
| Fair glass of light / loved you, ind could stil
| Were not this glorious casket stored with i'll.
| but must tel you now, my thoughts revolt,
! For he no man un whom PROJECTIONS wait.
That knowing sin without. will touch the gate,
! Good sooth, care not for YOU.
PLEICLLs, PRINCE OF TYRE.
| When left alone, our passionate Leo
pold cast his eyes over his letter of def
ance which lay still upon his bureau, and
sat. striving to solve the mystery by
which he was bewildered. What could
be the secret of all this? Could it be
that Cecile had informed De Marsan oi
his intended challenge? That WAS scarce
ly possible-nor was it probable that big
whiskered captain of hu>sars would with.
draw from the pursuit of such an object
for fear of Il fight. He must look for o h.
cr clues. One thing was certain-it must
be an important consideration which could
make an ardent young man revolt at mar
rlaSe with a damel. beautiful. rich and
We'll connected. Tnerc was some mon
s;rouS mystery at the bottom That was
obvious .he more he thought upon the
matter. That he should fail to pierce it,
did not lessen its Distressing difficulties
What could NJ. de Marsan have found out?
What blerlish had he discovered =? All
intrigue, perhapS-an error-most proba-
bly, one of those crimina Illusions which
fasten with disgrace 10 whole life time
however long. ard to the most lovely wo-
man in spite of all her charms. This wa
a terrible idea To be cherished by lover
Al first he rejected il with loaLhing. bu
it returned with renewed force to his re-
: flec.ions. and he accustomed himself TO it:
contemplation. In the midst of these evi
medi, ations. which had lasted more thar
; An hour. he was disturbed by the receip
OF a leI'er. IL was from his beloved Ceci
lie herself LIS contents ran thus:
"DEAREsr LEpPoLD-Come 10 me has