The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-05-18
THE DISPATCH
. LOST;
The story OF Four Young Men.
IooNrlNuEp.

self 10 all honesty and truth, TO have oeen .mep,
as am now, totally unworthy OF enjoying en
responded to nv love, aud soon found that there
wss no obstacle to our union--a union when one
y..r af,erwsrd was eonsammsted at the residence
O. Nc. ogilvie, in ---- County. But snail pro
coed.
I'm vain did Marquis aud myself endeavor TO re-
strain the insane revels OF our companions, to the
enormity Of which our eyes were at last opened.
Our entreaties were met with laughter and jeers,
and we wore asked whether we would ''preach
on Sunday next at Bethel meeting house" with a
variety OF other acsta indicative of the light In
which our sudden reformation was regarded. Tom
Francis especially made us the subject Of his "a
tire, and young man named Thorn6urg was bis
chief alder and sbettor. / often saw Marquis
Cotesbnry's eyes Fash when this person spoke to
him, and atterward discovered the reason Of their
dislike Thoruburg had been for some time
sutton for the hand Of Miss Francis, whom be had
known In her youth-and in addition had won
enormous sums from Marquis at cards, not with
cot suspicion of unfair play on the part OF his OPP
ponent You may judge that these two circum-
stances were not calculated to elevate his In the
estimation of his rival; but Marquis restrained
himself aud only requested Mr. Thornburg. In
tone Of cool polteness not to critcise any course
he was pleased to pursue. At such times / could
the devil" very plainly ia Msrquiss eye, and
suppose Thoruburg saw this dangerous look too,
for after little time he ceased TO utter his jeers
-contenting himself with sneer, and the remark
thst Certainly IL was no concern Of his: II Cotes
bury wanted to lead q holy life, he certainly had
no objection" The words were muttered rather
than spoken alond, a. Thornburg turned away, for
he rearely withstood Marquiss glance hxed on
him. 1t now expressed simply lordIy species Of
contempt: a freezing poiiteness accompanied his
slight bow. aud the opponents parted. Marquis
was thinking of another species of afdier than the
threatened one with Thornburg.
He did not prosper ia his wooing with Miss
Francis. Perhaps she had never seriously thought
OF marriage or possibly the silent homage of her
dgnidsd sutton did not interest her; certain it is
%IafA ia nat IN md nd thp n
stance filled him with gloomy pain.
"The fact 10, WILL" he would say to me, for we
had soon confided to each other our hopes and
feelings-"the fact is, I love her so much that
think it makes me stupid. In her presence don't
feel easy. and utter only plattudes. as my father
used to say. used to think / knew women, but
this one foils me; she's different however-aD
angel almost, it seems TO me. She will never look
upon my suit
And Marquis would become silent, resting his
head gloomily upon his hand aud signing deeply.
In reply to my common place encouragements he
only shook his head. and then reiapsed into his
motionless melancholy again. One day he took
my arm suddenly and drew me forth into the old
garcen. saw that his brow was flushed with
anger, and threatening fash in his proud eye in
Dictated some extraordinary emotion.
.sWhats the matteri" asked.
'The matter is" he replied hoarsely, "that
have discovered the source of my illsuccess with
Miss Francis"
"Ahl--you have discovered-what,"
cIenched teeth ...- ...
.Who on earth can it be-" asked, for had
seen no one pay Miss Francis the least attention of
n marked description. "You certainly deceive
yourself, Marquis"
81 do not Will, and the proof is that this fellow
Thornburg-"
"Thornburg"
"Ah! you start" said Marquis with a sneer Of
such naughty contempt as never before saw
."You think as do, then. thought perhaps that
was mistaken in this gentlemun-had underval
ued him? But You agree with me--do You not?
that tits something shameful for this blackeg to
aspire to the hand of Caroline Francis"
The words, thus written down, convey not the
faiDtest idea Of the mingled wrath and hauteur Of
the speaker. He went on, growing paler and cold
er rs he proceeded.
Eyes, he's my rival and he gets drunk, and
boasts his success. I'm nobody, You see, Mar
quis Cotesbury lisa nouentity beside this worthy
nobleman-the representative of the house of
Thornburg. By Heavens" cried Marquis, setting
his teeth close, "1'1l not spare him longer! I'll
find the metal he's made OF, he has any-cheat,
biack-leg, vagabond! I'll no longer be bearded by
his insoIence, or permit his of Miss Francis's
name. Curse himi I've my scheme, and I'll not
foregoit"
NV attempt to moderate Marquis's anger, or
change the unexpressed restitution he bad conceiv-
ed was as futile as would have been the endeavOr
to turn the course of the north wind. He listened
With bowed head until had finished, then nod
ding shortly, returned to the house
The evening passed as usua-Miss Francis and
her companion retiring early, and then the card
tables were set out To my great surprise Marquis
took his seat at one of them-to my surprise, say,
for iatterly he seemed to have lost all relish for
play. and even to have registered a against it,
His present seat was opposite to Thorn5urg, who
had gracefully accompanied the ladies to the door
and then prepared for play.
As the game proceeded could see in Marquiss
manner, forewarned as had been, the indications
of intense watchfuiness-and this seemed to have
been directed more particularly toward Thornburg.
For the other two players at the square table on
his right and left he seemed to have eyes; his
entire attention was concentrated on his enemy.
The game ended and Thornburg won. 1t was a
large amount but Marquis did not seem to regard
il. He proposed rs the stake of the next game an
amount so great that the other players, with the
exception of Thornburg, drew back shaking their
heads. But ThorDburg held his ground, aud each
drew forth aud laid upon the table pile of bank.
notes. The cards were shuffied the other men,
bers of the party gathered around the players and
the game began. As it proceeded, and Marquis reg
ularly got the advantage of his opponent, never
once saw him relax his look of intense watchful-
ness He cleaned his fuger-nails with his penknife
as the cards dealt, but did not look at his
hands. The game had nearly come to an end, and
/ had turned away for moment, when heard
sudden crash and loud cry. My startled glance
took in like fash plight the whole occurrence
Thornburg seeing that he was about to lose the
large stake which he had put up, had done what
Marquis suspected him of on former occasions; he
had slipped card which would have decided the
game in bis favor up the sleeve of his coat, aud,
rising suddenly, Marquis bad driven the blade of
his penkn through his opponents hand, and nail
ed IL to the table.
shall not attempt to describe the scene which
ensued, a confused mass Of cries, oaths aud strug-
giles was all that heard and saw. In five minutes
ThorBburg, raviHg like q mailman, was expelled
from the hall, and soon afterward was heard gal
looping away. The incident made the wild young
men silent and sober for moment, but In half an
hour they were playing aud drinking as carelessly
ever, clapping Marquis on the shoulder and
swearing that they were infinitely obliged to him
for exposing that scouudrel."
From all this ovation Marquis soon retired silent
aud gloomy. followed him, and We walked and
conyersed by moonlight in the garden, listening to
the wild revelry from within. High up in a re-
mote chamber window light was burning, and
from this light Marquis seemed unable to remove
his eyes.
I" Ills her chamber" he murmured.
''Yes," ] said, "but you had better think ofthi.
affair with Thornturg."
"Think of it," said Marqais, looking at me,
"No, Will! FL not fight him unless some gentle
man will take his place"
Hell assassinate you-take care"
Marquis smiled sadly as be looked toward the
tHinking light.
81 don't know il I'd care" he said eyou see
I'm crossed In love, WHIP
m-THE LAST OF THE REvEL.
On the morning after the scene which have
just related certain Major Wordell, half gentle.
man, half village billy, made his appearance at the
Hall aud delivered a mortal challenge from MIR.
Thornburg to Mr.. Cotesbury.
1 refuse to meet Mr. Thornburg," replied Mar
quis, haughtily.
"And why, SIR" asked Major Wordell, In an In
suting tone: Indeed, judging from his counte-
nance, he had been terrifying his courage with
drink; "asd why do you refuse, IL may ask
saw certain shutting down of the eyelids,
which with Marquis always indicated anger.
81 refuse" he said, ''on the ground that Mr..
Thornburg is BLACKBOARD, and detected cheat
ut cards"
swhat DO you mean, Sir ~ said Major wordel, III
clustering tone. "Do you mean to insinute that
would bring message from oiackguards No,
Sirf Mr.. Thornburg told me to say that he played
fair, and that your act was that Of q barbarian.
and agree with him."
The words had scarcely passed the speakers lips
whom Marquis threw himself on him Major wor-
dell was powerful man, bat he was no match for
Marquis. Before he could resist, he was caught
mn h,,dily and hurled from the window 10 thu Lawn