Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-05-20

l had not time or space to tell how
passed the six weeks of my confinement
and convalesccnce in the presence Of III.
len Sherwood how sbo watched over me
with tenderness aud sympathy; how her
smile rewarded me fer the months Of sus.
ponsc and anxiety had spent with her
picture in the palace and finally how
her sympathy and Tenderness ripencd in.
to love; how we plighted our faith, and
vowed to live and die for each other.
1 cannot tell how she hung upon words
full Of passionate eloqueuce, when des.
cribod my devotion to the picture how
she blushed when told her my love-a
love l had cherished and nurturcd into
Aarnisg passion before I saw her face
She loved me in return, and was as hap.
py as the dream Of an angel.
CHAPTER ".
COL Kent looked all this time Hilh say
age interest. lie had sworn to drink my
blood, I doubted not but l cared not
for this. fully expected to be called out
He had the reputation of being the best
shot in the States, had already killed three
men on the field of honor, and l had the
pleasant prospect Of being added TO the
number.
Ellen tod nc all this and in the same
breath that she both feared and hated him
She warned NE to avoid him and pleaded
with me 10 decline his challenge. | could
not do this with honor, and though the
thought of parting with my fairy was ter
rible, was obliged to evade her petition,
One day, after | had returned to my
rooms, was surprised to receive visit
from the infuria,ed lover He was cooler
than expected to see him, lie promptly
accused me Of ircachery, and demanded
satisfaction.
| attempted to reason with him and if
she had never seen me, would not have
consented to be his wife. He thought
otherwise, and demanded duel He was
so cool, that tried to reason further with
him; but he was obstinate, and insisted
on fighting me.
AS you please, said I, indiferontly,
MY friend will wait upon you this eve
ning,' said be, pulling on his glove, with
careless case.
Nay, Colonel, let Us settle it here
Here 2
He looked at me with a,touishment.- -
In spite of bis reputation for courage aud
skill in the dnel, had long since com! t.
the conclusion that he was bully mere
'brag' than man. As it was, he was ;
proficient in the use OF the pistol, while
was a novice On the field he was sure tc
kill ne, aad l was disposed to meet hin
on fairer terms.
Certainly, here, said cooHy,
You are a gentleman =
Il am
and l claim 10 be- replied !, taking
case of pistols from my secretary. 'Loa,
that to suit yoUrseIl;' aud handed hi
one of the pistols, retaining tbe other my
self, which proceeded TO charge.
He followed my example, aud the ri:
tolls were ready for use.
Now, continued I, we will FIRE acroa
the couter-tabIo,'
saw his check bIauch,
Sit there. said I, giving him chai
and taking one opposite him myself.
Who shall give the word-this is nc
f fair stammered he.
There was church close by my ROOF
and the clock would strike in few mc
ments. l told him we would fire ct til
first stroke of tho bell.
Take your position, said :; 'it wan
) but two minutes Of the hour.
1T will be certain death to both Of us.
so much the better I!
We aimed at each Others heart, and
could see his cowardiy hand tremble. Il
breast heaved, and his lip Guivercd =;
wanted ouly half minute of the fatal il
slant by the watch that lay upon the Il
BILE.
l Ready, said l, ferccly. Fire at tt
FIRST stroke !
0 'Oh, God + grOaned be, and l thougI
' he would sink through the floor.
'Only a second y added I and l me-
= tally babe farewell 10 Ellen Sherwoo
D expecting to be corps in another instar
saw hin wayer.
S Don't finch,' said l.
#. Suddenly he Sprang from his chair,thro
down the pistol, and fed from the room
) wiped the cold clammy sweat from n
brow, and tried to recover from the agol
- Of that moment. lie was gone the CO
8 ard had fed