The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-01-05
would positively start at tho hour indica.

| UShNI " bNC lliS ll-1 VI pdo5CI9Clcs
Running my eyes casually down the list
my heart beat quickly as they fell upon
the last name. Could it be possible thlt
my dreaded opponent Captain Achile,
Brown had secured passage! What could
be his motive
"Whon did this gentleman book his
Damo as a passenger ?" inquired
Not half an hour suce."
Odd he understand that the boat STAR
ted to-day7 p
Yes; he made particular inquiries on
that point"
will you describe him to me? Is be
II"
Yes, quite 500
" And has a black rnustache ?"
Yes"
"a dark complexion, and wears large
cloak ?"
Precisely. You know him, then?'
Very slightly" said l, carelessly.
"By-the-way, I don't think I shall be able
to get away for "A week. won't engage
to-day"
' we would give you good accommoda-
tions."
g. No doubt of that. On the whole you
needn't mention to Captain Brown that
anybody inquired for him.
My heart bounded with exultatioa as
with some difficulty I realized that my
opponent, whom I had dreaded so much,
was about to leave the country from iaar
of encountering me.
What joke that was I laughed all
the way home, though enlqlyorol to
preserve my gravity. On the way I pur-
chased brace of pistols, which | ostou-
tatiou-ly displayed on reaching my board
ing-place.
40 think you should risk your life for
me-" simpered the fair Sophronia.
" Miss Sophronia,' said 1, with suitable
fercencss, "no one shall with impunity
insult lady while under my protection
During Il portion OF The ee'vru0on I
practice shooting at mark, an was new
cr more lively than at the tea-table Lieu
tenant Eustace, who was present. seemed
considerably surprised at the change in
my demeanor, and was evidently puzzled
to account for it.
After tea invited Tie company to Wit
ness my viii, which I had drawn up for
the sake of producing an impression. J.
proved quite Il 81 aster-stroke. noticed
that Lieutenant Eu,tice treated me with
increasing respect, while Sophronia re-
peated several times under her breath
but loud enough for me to hear, " prave
manp
All ehis enjoyed, and took the oppoi-
tunity 10 discourse severely upon the sa-
cro1ness of honor, IN defense Of which
asserted that any man ought to be willing
to lay down his life.
II the course Of the afternoon had
the pleasure Of witnessing the sailing of
the Aciok with Captain Brown on board.
whether this circumstance had anything
to do with inspiring in me these elevated
sentiments, I leave the reader to Judge.
The next morning at an early hour 1
proceeded to the field with my second.
Captain Achifies Bro,gn ,o7s no.
,ohere 10 he seen
l professed a great deal of dissappoint-
ment, and insisted on waiting three hours
to allow him ample time to appear. OF
course it was in vain. All, however. tcs.
tiff ID TO the remarkable courage which [
displayed under the circumstances, and
rendered t cir congratulations The az
fair even found its way into the pa0ers,
and | founl myself all at once elevated
into a hero. could not walk Broadway
without being furtively rointel ont ms The
celebrated duelist. Among the ladies,
particularly, I became an object Of great
attcntion--a circumstance that may we'll
excite surprise when it i, considered that
my only claims to their regard lay in my
having been implicated in an o1flir which
the moral sense of the community profes,
scs to condemn.
Soon afterward left my boar ing.
place to the great regret OF the fair So
phronia 1 afterward learned that, had !
shown the white feather, it was arranged
that Lieutenant EuStace sbould force nC
into marriage with his cousin on pain o.
Il duel with himself The extraordinary
show Of courage which l exhibited inn
posed upon him to such an extent that hl
did not think it advisable to offer the al
tentative, lest | should accept the duel.
l have heard nothing of Captain Achil
les Brown since the memorable day q
which he did me the service to sail 70