New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-05-21
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SS$&4& ~ ~ WV WHY Ntt'S-y "
| heard Of our race this afternooasv Mr.. Howard
had not.
The Doctor at once burst forth in the most ludi-
crous description Of it, winding up by saying,
6 After we had cleared the fence, looked back
and there comes friend Bruce, flying over, free
from the saddle and bringing the top rail in his
lapl''
Il a sight which Dr.. Bell might have lost had he
not have taken 50 much pains to bring ii about.
for one, fully appreciate the motive which led him
to thrust himself where he was not expected,
said Mr.. Bruce coldiy. 5.
+ DR.. Bells eyes flashed, but he did not at once
reply. Rising soon from the meal, which was
finished in awkward silence by the whole party,
he said. z l will have moment Of your time, Mt.
Bruce, if You please,n and the two walked hnr-
n riedly out into the yard. With pale face, MT.
Howard rose to follow them.
"Do not leave me =, cried his wife, clinging tim
idly to his arm. g am frightene d-neryous-s
! by me, beg Of you.'t Mr.. Howard reseated him
!, self. Kate,'' he said, g do you go and in my
name, forbid any serious difficulty between those
hot-headed young men. hear high words in the
garden; go at once, child.
Kate sprang up, and hnrrying forth, found the
gentIenen beneath her favorte cherry trees in hot
dispute.
4 "My friends she said, e let this quarrel end
here. Do not, implore You, make matter Of
life and death out Of mere joke
"Dr. Bells jokes are insults, said Mr.. Bruce,
striving to speak calmly. e have borne them
long enough had rather be a target for his
bullet than his tongue
He expects to eyade fighting me, BY refusing
4 - rxAe. ~ " IL
his clenched teeth he pretends to feel delicate
about making your fathers grounds the scene Of a
duel, and to hide his cowardice proposes that we
wait a more fitting opportunity. He refuses to
apologize for insulting me at your fathers table,
and dares not fight me in your fathers grounds.
g You shall have my apology at a fitting place
and time, in the way you have demanded it-from
the mazzle of d revolver--but not here.''
% No doubt you desire time to practice, sneered
the Doctor. IF you were as skllful with the re-
volver as with your rifle probably the respect due
your host would not SO far outweigh the respect
due yourself
/ Mr.. Bruce stepped up to the rustic bench where
lay his rivals Of pistols, and fixing 6ve-cent
piece against one Of the cherry trees walked back
fifteen PAGES, and cut piece from the edge Of the
coin with his bullet. Amy time and place but
this, 4 he said, laying down the weapon and fold
4 ing his arms across his chest.
DIR. Bell bit his lip, while his hot cheek grew
4 pale with intense anger.
4 Gentlemen said Kate, ste piping forward 4
ask as personal favor that you let this matter
rest here. Be assured, should either of you persist
in making it the subject of duel, should despise
You both. As you value my esteem let hostilities
of so deadly nature cease at once.H I" These
will take into my possession she added, closing
and taking up the case Of pistols, and beg you
both, as my fathers guests, not to make his home
| the scene Of an angry dispute
/ She placed her hand on DIR. Bells arm and led
| him away, leaving Mr.. Bruce to follow at his
| leisure.
4Miss Howard" said the Doctor as they turned
down the winding walk, may hope that it was
| any feeling Of alarm on my account that caused
you to interpose just now. May believe that
you care enough for my life to wish to prevent my
| risking it ~
"Twould seek to prevent the risk of any human
| life replied Kate distantly. Gas woman am
| strongly opposed to the duello. We're man, it
would perhaps be different There is moral cou-
rage which exeites my admiration more than this
sort ofbravery which finds its achme in standing up
to be killed and daring to kill To horror Of
bloedshed, not TO personal feeling, attribute my
Interference
" And may / not hope that the affection have
long cherished for you, long trembled to disclose
has met a response from you?''
cannot answer You now Kate said; to-
/ morroW-some other tme.n
But cannot remain under this roof longer with
Mr.. Bruce
(. You can, if you really desire the reply you
| have asked for.',
They entered tile house and the evening was
| spent in an embarrassed manner on all sides, Mfr.
Howard having retired early complaining of slight
indisposton, and the two young men each lingering
unwilling to leave the field clear to his rival while
Mrs. Howard, more than usually taciturn aided
Kate not at all in her efforts to keep up CONVEX
sation.
The next morning Kate hurriedly entered the
| drawing-room and was followed by Mr.. Bruce
who had been awaiting her presence. There Dr.
Bell stood looking out of the window ; but he turn
ed to give Miss Howard gracious good-morning,
while Mr.. Bruce in no position seemed to come
within his line of vision.
Kate face expressed alarm and agitation,
Doctor, she said anxiously, my father you
| know has not been in usual health for few days
past, and this morning he has symptoms of seri-
GUS nature. May /, in the absence of our family
physician, ask for your services ?''
/ DIR. Bell grew very red. !" am greved,' he said,
TO know Of your fathers Illness but, supposed
/ you knew-the fact is, Miss Howard, / could give
no medical aid being Doctor only by courtesy
"a mere college ttle.s
Indeed You bore 1t with good grace which
certainly led Us all to believe You justly entitled
/ to it,
have spent much time among the sick, but
am no practitioner. Anything else can do for
you, rest assured shall only be too happy to per-
| form.n
Then, may ask you to remain with or near
my father. until can secure for him other attend
4 anee2n @ @ =
Z oh most assnredly--yonr requestss Miss How
ard, are with me commando zaz55z
4 What is the nature of your fathers malady !?
Has it yet assumed any decided form? !, asked Mr.
Bruce, who had remained silent listener to the
conversation.
:" We are fearful Y said Kate, " that it is small
pox!n
!" Smallpox" groaned the Doctor, 8. smallpox!
that vile disfgurer of the human face divine, that
loa,hsome leprosy which leaves its impress forever
on It's victims !! Smallpox, in this house in our
midst-horror of horrors 1t has been the dread of
my iife--and now | breathe ifs very breathi Re-