The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-10-14

Raby hotiy persisted IN ms asseveratlon, elu-
ding proofs to the contrary in way that sore
ly tried the patience of his antagonist. AT
last his pertinacity became insulting. Lester
coolly, but directly, contradicted the statement
he had again and again proved false, and arose
to leave the table.
Stop, sir do you mean to tell me lic!o
shouted the young bacchanal, furiOusly eleva-
ting goblet of Madeira.
mean to leave you, sir, to settle that with
your own conscience" returned Lester with
a bow that was most cutting in its quiet dig.
nifty.
Then take that you white-vered son of
temperance exclaimed the other dashing.
at the word, the whole contents Of the goblet
into his opponents face.
upon my word, gentlemen" exclaimed
Colonel Leroy, starting from his seat, just as
smothered sound from the window drew all
eyes towards Miss Manning, who stood upon
the verandahL perfectly colcrlcss with eyes
dilated passionately and feariully Lester met
those eyes as he first raised his own: and their
intensity of vehemence did more to calm him
than his own impulses at the instant The
next moment she had vanished.
"Shame shame! the ladies!n cried half a
dozen voices and two OF three rushed between
the assailant and his foe-a very unnecessary
proceeding as Raby was contemptuousy await
ing the effect of his insult, and Testers per-
fectly quiet attitude gave no token of a muir
derous intent. Colonel Leroy caught him by
the shoulder and hurried him off into another
apartment.
"Sad affair hasty fellow! blood up-too
much steam on there ! reckon" calculated
the host, hurriedly. "Owes you an apology,
that's fiat will make it when he cools off 7"
And. with polished smile he went back to
his disordered table.
In short time he returned with another
gentleman Harry" he said again. as he APP
preached Henry, the fellow is on his high
heeled shoes; but he is in earnest and don't
see how the thing can be helped The fact
is-but this gentleman has his message Mr.
Ranney, Mr.. Lester"
MIR. Ranney a very young gentleman with
very red moustache went on to state that
not only did Mr.. Raby refuse an apology for
his treatment, but considered himself yet I'M
satisfied for the provocation that had called il
forth and that he demanded a retraction Of
the offensive words, or the satisfaction due
to gentleman"
No retraction of the truth will be made
sir" returned Lester, sternly
"Of course not, MIR Lester and so there is
but one course left. | regret the imprudence
of my friend; but it obliges me to leave this
in your Thanksgiving him folded paper
1t was a challenge of course. Ii Lester
had wished to reply immediately, he had not
the opportunity for Colonel Leroy immedi-
ately arose, and coming forward, asked leave
to be his medium of communication with the
other party at any moment Mr.. Lester might
deem fitting and led his guest away, before
Henry had fully comprehended the import OF
his words
The door opened from the paror as Colonel
Leroy walked out from the one opposite. In
a moment Augusta had nearly dropped into
Henrys arms, in tempest of sobs and agony.
He tried in vain to comfort her She fright
ened him by her vehemence. Unable to speak,
she pointed convulsvely to the paper that had
fallen at his feet
His countenance cleared and he answered
cheerfully, but in tone of decision that calm
ed her" Augusta, compose yocrself! am
not in the danger you imagne!"
"This?" she whispered, in a choked tone o.
inquiry, catching it from the mating.
III shall not fight, Augusta" he said firmly
She started, tore open the paper, glanced
| swiftly over it, and then turned her eye on hin
with look that would have made anythin,
but clear conscience quail! DO not blam
her too much it is often the work of years t,
root out the fbres of false honor from the hear
into which they have been woven by birth, in
stinct and education and Augusta was
high-spirited girl of the South.
"What do you wish 2" he asked, confront
ing her face, now pale with powerful, conflict
ing but suppressed emotions.
"Will you bear an insuh?n she calculated
"Be calm, Augusta" said he, in soothing
tone, moving toward her. But some passion
too strong for control was uppermost in the
poor girls mind; and waving her hand, trem
bling in every fibre, to keep him from her. she
fled out of the room.
Henry sprang to his feet, and paced the room
like a Gagged tiger. His first mad impulse was
to give the misjudging girl the punishment Of
her own choice in the matter. He felt as though
life was but straw, and he could easily and
willingly hold it out to bc snapped in twain by
the sword or the pisto-shot of his adversary.
PLEASE you sir, the post oficeln said the
Sinking porter who suddenly walked in to
intrude upon his solitude, with letter Henry
caught it. glanced over its superscription, sat
down, and pressed it to his burning forehead
set of mystics tell us that autographs have
magical power over the brain-communicatn
the influence Of the writer's character immc-
diately to the nerves of the forehead Not
exactly on this principle, but by more cir
cuitOus route did that writing-his
mother 's-reach the highly strung nerves of
Henry Lester as he sat by the table and loosen
them to safer tension, before he had broken
the seal He read the letters-there were two
slowly and carefully, twice Then Selling a
pen, he dashed off brief note, folded sealed
and directed it-not to Mr.. Raby but to Col
Leroy, despatched it by servant, and walked
out into the garden.
IL was near sunset lie bent his steps to
the jessamne bower. II was as he had hoped ;
Augusta was there, seated on the grass her
head bent upon one arm, which rested on the
chair She had been crying. but had ceased !;
she sat with pale, compressed lips gazing fix
eddy upon some imaginary phantom of destiny
She started painfully, n Henry spoke her
name. He lifted her ~ the chair, and put the
letters into her almost passive hand.
"Will you read these 2" said he, in tone
that recalled her to life.
They were two plain-commonplace, per-
haps-but tender letters from the mother and
young sister of Henry, full of glad affection
and proud hope. They touched the heart of
Augusta, as he had hoped and her tears fell
thick and fast.
Would you bid me peril their happiness,
my life, my conscience, and the life Of another,
for the insane words Of drunken man. Au-
gusta? one whom was about to say despise
but contempt is not for any being whom God
suffers yet to wear his image upon his earth.
Contempt for his folly and madness must
feel :"
T" If other people would see it So" sobbed
Augusta
"They may see it with their own eyes.
am not responsible for distorted mediums ]
only wish, Augusta, that you should clear from
your eyes the mists of habit and education,